It Is Time To Legalize Marijuana

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“What goes around… comes all the way back around” –Justin Timberlake. What a fitting lyric from one of today’s biggest pop stars and one that fits the X Generation perfectly. Already, we have brought “back around” old styles of fashion and music. Now, as more of our generation begins to enter the political world we are seeing a change in policies that have held firm for almost a century. More specifically, we are seeing a change in the attitude toward marijuana and whether or not it should be legalized. During the time of illegalization of marijuana, the drug had a vastly negative feeling associated with it, which many people now believe to be inaccurate and unfair. Now that people are more informed, more connected and more vocal, the United States government should allow and even encourage more research of the dangers and addictive nature of the drug which will assuredly legalize medical use and possibly recreational use to benefit people and the economy greatly. This paper will discuss many topics pertaining to marijuana. It will begin by explaining the history of marijuana in this country. Then it will discuss public opinion of marijuana and reasons for that opinion. Next, it will dispel false rumors about the effects of marijuana. It will then talk about a few disadvantages of marijuana. After it will counter those disadvantages with several advantages of marijuana. Next, it will discuss Colorado and Washington State’s situation since legalizing marijuana recreationally. It will then inform the reader of the other states pursuing legalization of marijuana in some degree. Finally it will conclude with Arkansas’s take on marijuana and efforts to get it passed medically. VOCABULARY Throughout this paper many terms will b... ... middle of paper ... ...ring Opinions on Medical Marijuana. The Times-Tribune. 29 January 2014. Web. 17 February 2014. Marijuana Policy Project. The High Cost of Marijuana Prohibition in U.S. Web. 08 May 2014. Marijuana Policy Project. 2013 Top 50 Most Influential Marijuana Users. Web. 08 May 2014. Marijuana Prison Statistics. THEU1. Web. 08 May 2014. Marijuana Timeline. Frontline. Pbs.org. Web. 17 February 2014 Network, Jolie Lee. Colorado Makes $3.5M in Pot Revenue in January. USA Today. Gannett, 11 Mar. 2014. Web. 06 May 2014. Poll: Arkansas Voters Support Raising Minimum Wage, Split on Medical Marijuana. Arkansas News. Web. 08 May 2014. State Marijuana Laws Map. State Marijuana Laws Map. Web. 07 May 2014. Wile, Rob. HIGH TIMES: Legalized Pot Is Expected To Be Huge For Washington And Colorado Tax Revenue. Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 18 Nov. 2012. Web. 09 May 2014.

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