In 2009 an estimated 858,408 individuals were arrested for marijuana violation. Out of those whom were charged approximately 89 percent were only charged for possession. Depending on the state, the government spends 1 billion to 10 billion dollars annually on the prohibition of marijuana. According to economics professor Jeffery Miron of Harvard University the statistics prove that the American government is further crippling the U.S. financially. After endless amounts of research it has been concluded that legalizing cannabis would be the best financial decision for the United States.
Others, like me, think that the government shouldn’t have the power to outlaw if it’s not harming or endangering others. There are many reasons why I believe marijuana should be legalized. Marijuana could generate billions of dollars to use for more serious problems, prohibition doesn’t help anything, and legalization could possibly reduce drug use by teens. Our government currently spends billions of dollars annually to lock up marijuana users. These people are normally very peaceful, relaxed, and non-violent.
South University Legalizing Marijuana Computer and Literacy ITS 1000 Michael L Smith October 18, 2013 Michael L. Smith Computer and Literacy: ITS 1000 Instructor: Carmen Flores October 18, 2013 Legalizing Marijauna In regards to illicit drugs, an epidemic that has a stronghold on our country caused a movement. That movement was and still is today, “the war on drugs”. Illegal drugs enters this country at an unexplainable alarming rate. In the United States alone the drug market is one of the most profitable in the world. (Agency, 2004) My intent is not to focus on the profitability of illegal drugs but the debate of legalization in particularly marijuana.
The government should only limit these choices if it is capable of endangering someone else. Alcohol, tobacco, and many prescribed or over the counter drugs do more than marijuana does to a person and other people around the person. Comparing marijuana and alcohol, alcohol is far more dangerous than marijuana. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, there are hundreds if not thousands of alcohol overdose each year. Using marijuana,
This intern will reduce the time for a prisoner to go through the judicial system, most inmates spend a good deal of time waiting for their court appearance, if they are innocent then this conflicts with their work and life. The federal and state governments also spend an astronomical amount of money on fighting Marijuana as well. For example 100 million dollars a year is spent on
Imagine how much more money could be made if marijuana became legal. The extra tax revenue would help society because there would be an extra income that could be used towards health care or other things that benefits society. Drug dealers cause a threat to society and if marijuana was decriminalized drug dealers would lose most if not all of their business and crime would decrease. (SASTISTIC PG 4 5 OF RESEARCH NOTES) if marijuana were to be controlled by the government people would more likely to buy from a store than a shady drug dealer. Thousands of job opportunities would be made available if marijuana were to be decriminalized.
Marijuana can stunt the intellectual, emotional and psychological development of adolescents. The British Medical Journal reported that, statistically speaking, marijuana stands convicted as a gateway drug. Twelve- to 17-year-olds who smoke marijuana are 85 times more likely to use cocaine than those who do not, and decriminalization of the drug will increase use by adolescents (Califano). From what I have presented today, it is easy to see why I argue in opposition to the legalization of marijuana in the state of Texas and urge you to accept and understand the reasoning behind the current status quo. You can make a difference.
As of late, the marijuana debate has shifted in favor of legalization. Why has public opinion swayed so much in recent years? The success of the medicinal marijuana market, the heavy support for legalization by the younger generations, and the passing of the more conservative generations can contribute to some significant changes. However, sustained public opinion is very difficult to predict. Recent polls taken by the Pew Research Center and General Social Surveys show that the main reason for support of marijuana is that the American public fails to see marijuana has a major moral issue (Galston, Dionne 1).
Despite these false accusations, marijuana has been found very useful in the treatment of cancer, AIDS, glaucoma, arthritis, and chronic pains. In most places obtaining marijuana is dangerous, because since it is illegal it has to be sold in the black market. The millions
They say that marijuana is not as harmful as alcohol or tobacco products so why shouldn’t it be legal? One of the biggest things on people’s minds is the money that can be made from the growing and selling of marijuana and how much the government wastes each year trying to fight a losing battle on the war against marijuana.