Marijuana

Probably the most frequent argument I hear for the legalization on marijuana is that the federal government from taxing it. Drug sales are a huge underground industry in this country. If marijuana were made legal federal and state government could impose a so-called “sin tax” on it, much like they do with alcohol and tobacco products. Another reason often cited is the overcrowding in Americas prisons. Many of the prisoners housed in state prisons are non-violent drug offenders. Instead of sending a college student with a dime bag to New Orleans Metro, they could be focusing state resources on violent criminals. Here is a very good website with he statistics on drug offenders in prison. The “war on drugs” has been going on for decades, and obviously it is not working. Something has to change, because demand is never going to go away, and where there is a demand there will always be a supply. I think that the overcrowded prisons are the most convincing argument for the legalization of marijuana. This is also one of the reasons that will actually bring about change. Reasons appealing to money are going to be the ones that will lead to change in policy, simply because that is what will appeal to non-marijuana users the most. The former marijuana user, Arnold Schwarzenegger said that he is willing to talk about the complete legalization of marijuana. As I was writing this blog I asked my friend’s opinion on this issue. My friend took a USA Today out of her bag, and on the front page was an article titled “Slowly, limits on pot are fading.” I think that people are talking about this issue more than ever, and soon the laws will change.

Marijuana...

Historically marijuana was made illegal to protect citizens from a drug labeled as dangerous. Marijuana has been linked with narcotics. When first illegalized it was because the government wanted to regulate narcotics and because it was compared with heroin, opium and cocaine it was linked to the negative aspects of narcotics. It is also linked or associated with a lifestyle that is unwanted of the government. It is thought to be strictly used by self-righteous hippies fighting against “the man.”  It is also linked to different ethnic groups other the superior white race. Because it was associated with the minorities it was thought that if marijuana was illegal it would be less likely for those minority groups to be popular through out America. In this instance white Americans would not be superior if marijuana was legal, the government did not want this. However it is used in many ways though. Early in the history of marijuana it was used as a woven fabric (hemp), it was used in food, for incense, and rope. Through out the beginning years of marijuana it was legal and used but not publicly displayed like your typical drug tobacco. It should be legalized for many reasons. The prohibition of marijuana has not been quite successful. Many Americans with no regards to the law use it. It is also known to be one of the largest, if not the largest cash crop in the United States. If marijuana was legalized the market would be reduced. This would affect the sales of the drug and also the usage (mostly by teenagers). The teenagers going out of their way to secretively buy the drugs today are usually exposed to other street drugs that are harder and more intense. It would also keep them from selling it to their peers and it would be less of an influence for those who do not want to smoke marijuana. Another reason for marijuana to be legalized is smuggling. If there were dedicated farms or produces to grow weed there would be no need to smuggle the drug from one country to the next. It is very expensive and if legalized it could be taxed to benefit the governments programs. The arrests for marijuana usage are taking up way too much money. If it were to be legalized and grown under the government rule it could allow the government to get a grossly income rather than stealing money from other governmental programs in need. All together marijuana could help the medical world immensely. The drug provides relief from pain, nausea, and a lot of other symptoms that other conventional medical treatments not only can’t help but also cause. It is used by most as a mild relaxing technique. It has been said from scientific research that marijuana is not toxic to humans. It is almost impossible to overdose on it and has hardly any signs of addiction. The usage of marijuana is obviously less dangerous and hazardous as other harder illegal drugs and legal drugs. I think the case of legalizing marijuana is worth a try. If it has such benefits for patients with terminal disease why not make their lives easier with using such a simple, organic drug.