Thesis Statement: I think if the United States were to legalize marijuana in the 21st century, would it lead to a decrease in crime and create a stimulus for the economy. I am going to show that the taxpayers are forced to pay billions of dollars to prosecute, and incarcerate people for having marijuana. If marijuana were legal and regulated (like alcohol and tobacco) this money, plus tax revenues from marijuana sales could be used for other purposes such as education and health care.
I. Marijuana is a controversial topic for decriminalization. A. Those that oppose the plant. B. Reasons for marijuana's decriminalization.
II. The concentration at governmental spending to enforce marijuana laws. A. Examples of governmental spending. B. Solution to the governmental spending. C. Sources on spending. D. Quotes concerning over spending. E. In-depth explanation about spending.
III. Look at how much we spend for prisons A, Researched how many are in jail for marijuana charges B. Researched opinion opposing drug enforcement.
IV. A fact-based look on governmental spending. A. Statistics of expenditures. B. Quote concerning the ineffectiveness of governmental expenditures. C. Realization that legalization would eventually reduce spending.
V. The basic information on how it would help the unemployed A. Get Out of Debt B. Research to see whether this would increase jobs VI. Closing arguments for why the United State should legalize marijuana. A. Restatement of thesis. B. Comparing and contrasting alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. C. Summary for the move toward legalization of the plant.
Reference:
Bender, David. Drug Abuse; Opposing Viewpoints. New York: Green Press, 1994.
Buckley, William. "End the Pot Penalties". The Washington Star News 10 November 1974: C4
Goldberg, Raymond. Taking Sides; Clashing Views