Legalization Of Marijuana Case Study
Since marijuana was introduced thousands of years ago, the fatality rate has remained at a staggering number; zero. Although one requirement for a substance to be classified as a drug, is having a known level of toxicity (ability to overdose); marijuana does not. In addition, the benefits of marijuana go further than simply being safe to use recreationally. If marijuana was legalized across the United States, it would boost the struggling economy, decrease gang activity and violent crimes, and provide health benefits for many terminal diseases. With marijuana legal throughout the country, the government would be in control of regulation. One of the main advantages of regulated sales of marijuana has to do with the safety aspects. Consumers
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Latin America is the largest exporter of marijuana to the United States controlling over 1,000 US cities (Reisenwitz, C. 2014). With the demand of marijuana being so high, considering medical and recreational purposes, but the supply so low, cartels have possession of almost all marijuana sales in the United States. Marijuana being legal only strengthens the drug cartel, by bringing in immense profit. Statistics from states that have already legalized the drug speak volumes; the violent crime in Denver has dropped by 6.9%, and property crime has dropped by 11% in just the first three months (Delmore, E. 2014). The decrease in violent crime coincides with the decrease in gang involvement. Gangs are not able to match the prices and reliability that the government can provide when selling marijuana. Without having control of the market, the cartel cannot afford to stay in the country and try to compete in sales with the United States government. Over the last ten years over 60,000 people have been murdered by drug smuggling organizations, and many along the United States Mexican border. Marijuana decriminalization will deprive these criminals the enormous profits they gain for having the monopoly of marijuana sales in the United States. Another key component is making marijuana legal federally opposed to state by state. To clarify, even if marijuana is legal in a state, it is still illegal under federal law, which starts a conflict between state and federal authorities. Overall, legalizing marijuana federally is a way to decrease violent crime and gang activity as well as increasing the safety of the country as a
Latin America is the largest exporter of marijuana to the United States controlling over 1,000 US cities (Reisenwitz, C. 2014). With the demand of marijuana being so high, considering medical and recreational purposes, but the supply so low, cartels have possession of almost all marijuana sales in the United States. Marijuana being legal only strengthens the drug cartel, by bringing in immense profit. Statistics from states that have already legalized the drug speak volumes; the violent crime in Denver has dropped by 6.9%, and property crime has dropped by 11% in just the first three months (Delmore, E. 2014). The decrease in violent crime coincides with the decrease in gang involvement. Gangs are not able to match the prices and reliability that the government can provide when selling marijuana. Without having control of the market, the cartel cannot afford to stay in the country and try to compete in sales with the United States government. Over the last ten years over 60,000 people have been murdered by drug smuggling organizations, and many along the United States Mexican border. Marijuana decriminalization will deprive these criminals the enormous profits they gain for having the monopoly of marijuana sales in the United States. Another key component is making marijuana legal federally opposed to state by state. To clarify, even if marijuana is legal in a state, it is still illegal under federal law, which starts a conflict between state and federal authorities. Overall, legalizing marijuana federally is a way to decrease violent crime and gang activity as well as increasing the safety of the country as a