COMP 1500
April 20th, 2009
Word Count: 807
Outline
I. Introduction
Thesis Statement: Although America is the land of the "free" you do not really have too many "free" choices you can make. Americans should have the right to choose whether or not marijuana should be legal. II. Background III. The tax benefits that can be created A. If legalized they can tax it how ever much they want B. Can be regulated IV. Drug enforcement money can be diverted. A. Can help other needy departments that lack money. B. Keep the court system and jails less full for real criminals V. It’s no more harmful then alcohol or tobacco A. Must use it in moderation. B. If abused it can cause health effects like anything els. VI. Rebuttal VII. Conclusion
Marijuana Legalization
Although America is the land of the "free" you do not really have too many "free" choices you can make. Americans should have the right to choose whether or not marijuana should be legal. The government should not be able to tell people what to do, as long as they do not hurt others in their actions. Three reasons why marijuana should be legalized are taxation benefits, drug enforcement money can be diverted and utilized in other needy departments, and the drug generally isn't more harmful than alcohol or tobacco if used in moderation. In a study done these were the results of how many people die per year from each: "Tobacco- 400,000, alcohol- 100,000, all legal drugs- 20,000, all illegal drugs- 15,000, caffeine- 2,000, aspirin- 500, marijuana- 0" (us policy on drugs).
Background
“The Marijuana, cannabis, or hemp plant is one of the oldest psychoactive plants known to humanity. Cannabis has become one of the most widespread and diversified of plants” (marijuana history and timeline). Cannabis or hemp plants are grown throughout the world and develop into what we know as weed. “1915 - 1927 Cannabis begins to be prohibited for