Should Marijuana Be Legalized?

Many opinions have been formed about marijuana. Its legalization has been debated by many over the past few years. Some support legalization while others do not. The answer is not clear as to whether it should or shouldn’t be legalized. Many scientists and scholars are currently researching the pros and cons of possible legalization but still cannot come to a firm conclusion. Many opinions have been formed about marijuana. Its legalization has been debated by many over the past few years. Some support legalization while others do not. The answer is not clear as to whether it should or shouldn’t be legalized. Many scientists and scholars are currently researching the pros and cons of possible legalization but still cannot come to a firm conclusion.
Firm laws and government regulation also ensure the security of marijuana use. Colorado, one of the first states in the U.S. to legalize both medical and recreational use of marijuana, has marijuana distributors under the strict surveillance of government authorities. This means that marijuana is not simply given out and sold to just anyone at any time. Marijuana distributors in Colorado are only allowed to be in action during specific hours. Public use of marijuana is still illegal during these regulated times (Coffman). Other states who are considering the legalization of medical marijuana, like Illinois and New Hampshire, will have some of the tightest laws for medical marijuana use in the U.S. These 2 states will pass the same laws as New Jersey, Connecticut, and Delaware that forbid medical marijuana users to grow their own pot. If the Illinois state government decides to legalize medical marijuana, they will have age requirements for use, prohibit users from growing their own marijuana, and only allow health care professionals to give a prescription of medical marijuana for 33 specific health conditions. Some of the 33 diseases include cancer, HIV/AIDS, and glaucoma (Nicas). With laws and regulations this strict, and patients being carefully advised by their doctors, it will be difficult for people to abuse it.
They believe that it is too costly to arrest people for marijuana possession. A survey done by the FBI has shown that the arrests for marijuana possession are higher than arrests for violent crime (Wegman). This shows that the government puts their focus on possession more than other felonies. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, enforcing marijuana laws costs about $3.6 billion a year (Bradford). If America were to legalize marijuana, that money could be used for other purposes. The FBI also found that there is an average of 658,000 arrests for marijuana possession yearly compared to 256,000 arrests for cocaine and heroin possession (“Repeal Prohibition Again”). This could be because marijuana is more accessible than these other drugs, but it also shows that the government takes marijuana possession very