Legalization of Marijuana

Should Marijuana Be Legalized? Marijuana is a topic discussed upon many individuals. Should it be legalized throughout the United States? What will be the outcome of this and who will it affect? "The controversial topic of "medical marijuana" is surrounded with confusing and contradicting information." (Benavie 1) Many say that it has medical benefits and should be made legal. While many say that it can be abusive and addicting and for that reason it should remain illegal. The main concerns of legalizing marijuana in the U.S. are prohibition, decriminalization, and legalization. Prohibition focuses on the federal policy toward marijuana. Decriminalization is referring to elimination and to reduce marijuana. Lastly, legalization is a big step and everyone thinks that would change the status in our society. (Joffe 632) There are three main reasons why marijuana should remain illegal. The first reason is the harm that it would cause to others and the individual themselves. The second reason is that it would be very unprofessional if it was legal. Lastly, another reason why it should not be legalized is because it can be so addicting and is capable in doing the same damage that any other illegal drug can perform. Marijuana shouldn’t be legal is because it destroys people’s lives and is the #1 drug being used by teenagers. Legalizing marijuana would have a potential impact on youth. "Pediatricians, too, are not of one mind in their views regarding the legal status of marijuana." ( Joffe 632) Many people want marijuana legalized and most of these people are adults. But no one is thinking about the adolescents and what effects it can have on them. Alcohol is legal for people 21 or older and tobacco products are legal for those that are 18 or older but adolescents even younger than this are abusing these substances and the legalization of marijuana could result in many advertisements targeting these adolescents. Why would we want to legalize and advertise