Legaliziton Marijuana

The Clock Starts at 4:20

Since the 1937 the growth, possession or distribution marijuana has been illegal and punishable by law. I believe that the United States should reconsider their thoughts and legal actions towards marijuana. I believe the U.S government should legalize the growth, and distribution of marijuana for several reasons. First, marijuana has a wide range of proven medical benefits that many Americans depend on. Marijuana also has a great deal of possible economic benefits that would boost the U.S. economy and help the U.S achieve a higher position in the world economy. Legalizing marijuana would also help solve the issue regarding prison space and overcrowding. Lastly, marijuana is less harmful than alcohol (www.dpft.org), a legal substance widely used in the United States today. Although it may be difficult for some to see: if one looks closely at the facts he/she will see that legalizing marijuana will have a positive impact on the country.

Marijuana has a great deal of benefits in the medical field. Marijuana accounts for many different types of treatments for a variety of illnesses and diseases. Marijuana is used in many different ways as a medical treatment. Marijuana plays a key role in reducing the effects of glaucoma. Glaucoma is a condition where there is an increase in intraocular pressure and can lead to permanent blindness. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the U.S. Marijuana reduces the intraocular pressure for the patient. In AIDs Wasting Syndrome, marijuana is used to help counter appetite loss, nausea, and pain associated with HIV and AIDs. According to Skunked.co.uk, some AIDs researchers are calling medical cannabis a “potentially lifesaving medicine.” Marijuana also has benefits for multiple sclerosis patients as well. It is possible that marijuana will relieve multiple sclerosis symptoms and even slow its progression. Marijuana also plays a big role in treating nausea resulting from chemotherapy in cancer patients. Marijuana is also has a great impact on patients suffering from migranes.

Marijuana, if legalized, has the potential to provide growth to our economy. Harvard University’s Jeffrey A. Miron describes the economic benefits of legalizing Marijuana and what effects it will have on federal and state expenditures dealing with Marijuana prohibition in his report, The Budgetary Implications of Marijuana Prohibition. The total amount of state expenditures on prohibiting Marijuana was $5.3 Billion in 2000 and the total federal expenditure for 2003 was $2.4 Billion (economics.about.com). With the legalization of Marijuana there is a savings in government expenditures of approximately $7 Billion. Not only are the savings beneficial here, but this also allows for government officials to take actions towards more dangerous issues. With the legalization of marijuana a new system of taxation and regulation would emerge from the government. With this new system there would be larger tax revenue collected. If Marijuana were to be taxed like other legal consumer goods there would be an estimated $2.4 Billion tax revenue annually (economics.about.com). If another taxation system was made, one more like the alcohol and tobacco tax system, an estimated $6.2 Billion annual tax revenue would be collected (economics.about.com). Adding this amount to the $7.7 Billion saved annually, the government comes out with a hefty profit.

Suppose there are two groups of college students, one group of recreational smokers and the other a group of underage drinkers. Now let’s examine each groups night. The recreational smokers gather at a friend’s house, order a pizza, and decide to engage in smoking marijuana. A cop drives by and notices music a little loud and stops to ask the students to turn it down. When the student opens the door, the student very politely agrees to turn the music down, but before the cop leaves he senses the smell of marijuana and enters the house to find two marijuana cigarettes. He proceeds to search the house and finds a small amount of marijuana and writes possession charges for all the students. The next day the students