The Legalization of Marijuana

The Legalization of Marijuana Many years ago the average person did not think of marijuana as a harmful drug, but as a useful substance. The fiber of hemp is used for medicine, paper, fuel, and food. George Washington, the first President of the Unites States of America, even encouraged people to sow the Indian hemp seed everywhere. Marijuana was not prohibited in the United States until 1937 when Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. Today, many American citizens want this law removed. After so many years of medical use why do we look down on marijuana? People should realize all of the good that marijuana does. When people smoke marijuana at home it causes no injury. The user is just enjoying a minor pleasure over which the government should have no jurisdiction. Limiting the use of marijuana through the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 betrays personal freedom. People do not usually become physically dependent or addicted to marijuana. People can only become mentally addicted to marijuana. People use marijuana like many other people use alcohol- to relax and indulge in a festive mood. How can a mild intoxicant, used less than once a day by most users, be seen as a public threat? The legalization of marijuana could have a huge impact on our economy. Just take a look at how much legalizing alcohol again paid off. Last year, the industry generated over $91 billion in wages and over 3.9 million jobs for United States workers. In 2008, alcohol contributed to $40 billion to state and local revenues. It has been estimated that the legalization of marijuana could take away as much as $10 million dollars from dealers and cartels. At the same time, decriminalizing the use of marijuana could reduce the number of resources that states and municipalities are forced to spend on enforcement and incarcerations. In contrast, many people argue that the use of marijuana should remain illegal. Some say that marijuana contains many known toxins and cancer