Legalizing Marijuana
Marijuana has been a hot topic for decades now, sparking debates from people of all backgrounds and viewpoints on whether or not legalization is morally, economically, or socially acceptable. Both sides of the argument have very compelling points, however I believe the benefits of legalization far outweigh the consequences of it.
For many years it has been a widespread belief that marijuana usage is directly related to mental diseases such as schizophrenia; however recent studies have shown that marijuana does not cause these illnesses, at most they only amplify present mental illnesses. Other effects of marijuana closly resemble that of Alcohol and Tobacco usage. Both Cigarettes and Marijuana cause respatory problems, and the high from marijuana is like that of Alcohol. Despite the similarities, alcohol and tobacco are actually more harmful than marijuana, as both causes a form of cancer. While a mass consumption of alcohol can easily kill you, there has been no recorded death of an overdose of marijuana, making it quite possibly the least lethal drug out there (Gordon). Alcohol is actually the 5th most dangerous drug, tobacco falling behind in 8th. Marijuana isn’t even on the list of top ten lethal drugs (Kim). So this bears the question; if marijuana isn’t as dangerous as two of the most popular legal drugs available on the market, then why isn’t it legal?
Another reason legalization should be accepted is because of the economic benefits. If the FDA has control over the production and distribution of marijuana, not only will that make it safer for consumers by making sure PCP, LSD, or any other foreign drug is added by the seller, but it will provide a profit from sales and tax revenue. Legalizing Marijuana will create thousands of jobs as well as billion dollar industries to grow, package, and sell this substance. Not to mention the other substances that can also be derived from hemp such as plastic, paper, oil, fiber, and bio-fuels!
Billions of dollars are spent yearly on the war on drugs, and every year roughly 700,000 people are arrested on charges that are marijuana related. That’s 37% of all drug related arrests, and 5% of all drug arrests in America. By legalizing Marijuana the government will save thousands, if not millions of dollars that they’ve previously spent on apprehending marijuana growers, dealers, and smokers. This money can be used towards better schooling in places that severely need funding. Also prison space will open up, allowing more people who have committed crimes worse than drug possession but get lighter sentences due to overcrowding in prisons.
Granted, there are many negative sides of marijuana, just as there are negative sides to almost everything like it, but the question is; Are the negatives worse than the positives are good? If so then keep it illegal. But if the positives outweigh the negatives, then legalization is the right way to go, and hopefully it will bring more benefits then listed above.