Essay on Drug Legalization

One of the many problems in our nation today is the use of illegal drugs. Being fought against our own citizens, a national effort to eliminate drug production and use has failed leaving in its wake complete chaos. Assault, property crime, murder, corruption and many other things are burning through society fueled by the drug war's policies. In addition to these problems there are the initial problems that illegal drug users inflict on themselves and society; the same ones the drug war was supposed to eliminate. Prohibition is an old idea that is not attainable in a democratic society that values individual rights. Experiments with the prohibition of alcohol failed miserably and cost many people their lives. A form of regulated legalization of drugs, such as marijuana would be a middle ground that recognizes the inevitability of drug use and strives to make it as safe as possible. With the legalization of marijuana a whole new array of possibilities opens up. The government can increase tax revenue by putting a sales tax on marijuana. By increasing taxes on legal marijuana we can boost and stimulate the economy. Studies have shown that illegal drug traffic adds up to approximately $100 billion dollars a year. With governments scrambling to find new sources of revenue to pay for important social objectives such as health care and education the legalization and taxation of marijuana can drastically help. It is shown that by legalizing marijuana the government expenditures would dramatically decrease. The savings would involve reductions in police expenditures, in prosecutorial and judicial expenditures, and in jail and prison expenditures. All of these events can be obtained with the legalization of marijuana. The biggest opponents of drug legalization are the drug dealers themselves. These dealers make enormous sums of money because of the lack of competition they are faced with as well as the ridiculous prices they are able to charge. Legalization of marijuana would eliminate the effects of drug dealers as well as the shady stereotype that comes along with them. A large number of crimes committed on the streets are a result of drug dealers. By legalizing marijuana the government as well as the FDA can regulate and provide structured drug manufacturing and distribution. “Rutgers University Professor Douglas Husak gives more detailed statistics, citing studies that have shown that the types of crimes generated by illegal drug use occur "when drug users and dealers battle over drug sales, turf, and other aspects of illegal drug sales.” We would all be much safer if we didn’t have to worry about drug dealers getting out of hand and causing problems. These problems would virtually disappear or decrease with the legalization of marijuana. One of the biggest arguments for the legalization of marijuana is the medicinal purposes that it provides. When used responsibly and in moderation, marijuana can provide medical benefits and is not physically addictive. Marijuana could be used to alleviate glaucoma, nausea and loss of appetite, anxiety, muscle pain, and tinnitus. Generally, use of this plant produces a relaxed, euphoric, stress-relieving effect, and stress has been proved to be one of the leading causes of poor health in America. Marijuana has also been shown to benefit those with cancer going through chemotherapy. Another way marijuana can be helpful is to those with eating disorders such as anorexia. Marijuana generally produces a feeling that causes those using it to become hungry. Benefits of this drug can only come from proper use; too much can make one lethargic, paranoid, or depressed. Of course almost anything consumed in excess, from caffeine to chocolate, can produce harmful effects. People are denied the benefits of marijuana only because of its illegal status. Legalizing marijuana would give people more chances to help themselves. Marijuana is by far the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States, and has become very much a part of American culture. Nearly 65 million Americans have either used it occasionally or regularly. By looking at the facts and statics many people would realize that legalizing marijuana would help rather than hurt. Marijuana can be used to raise money in a way that is highly beneficial, it can be used to decrease crime and drug dealers, and it can be used to help sick individuals who would otherwise suffer without it. Legalizing marijuana would produce a better outcome than the prohibition of it, which is clearly causing problems. We are not doomed to repeat history if we just look at the facts. As of 2010 there are 15 states including California and Washington DC that have enacted laws legalizing medicinal marijuana. This is a start to the vast number of possibilities available with the legalization of marijuana.