WEED FINAL
Matthew Renahan
November 30, 2014
Provey
Final Paper The Blunt Truth
Marijuana, weed, pot, dope: whatever you may call it, has brought much controversy over its legalization. To say that marijuana has been given a bad rap over the past few decades is an understatement. Tina Simpson, executive director of Drug-Free America, is a perfect example of the people whom give marijuana an awful reputation. The way Simpson speaks of marijuana makes it seem like a horrible drug, and that people lose judgement while on it. Part of the problem is that many people are simply unfamiliar with marijuana. These same people are also most likely unaware that people die from alcohol overdoses, while there has never been a fatal marijuana overdose. The legalization of marijuana will bring Americans countless benefits, including the profits from selling it and the decreased crime rate. After 75 years of marijuana prohibition, Colorado finally took a step forward and legalized it in all forms. As shown in the article, Marijuana industry sees green after Colorado legalization, “The cannabis industry projects roughly $750 million in 2014 sales in a state of only 5 million people.”(Pereira and Cohen) It is insanity that after these numbers were released from Colorado that every state didn’t go and legalize marijuana. If legalized nationally, it has been projected to be a $40-$50 billion dollar industry. With our economic situation, this would help us tremendously. In such short time, Colorado has already surpassed Amsterdam as the capital of the “marijuana world”. The city of Denver has over 300 dispensaries, which is more than their pharmacies, liquor stores, pubic schools and even Starbucks. Other than economically, marijuana has brought crime rates down, despite the old theory that it would bring madness, decadence and moral decay. When Colorado first legalized weed more than a year ago, many critics of the move warned that crime would rise. In the article, If Legalizing
November 30, 2014
Provey
Final Paper The Blunt Truth
Marijuana, weed, pot, dope: whatever you may call it, has brought much controversy over its legalization. To say that marijuana has been given a bad rap over the past few decades is an understatement. Tina Simpson, executive director of Drug-Free America, is a perfect example of the people whom give marijuana an awful reputation. The way Simpson speaks of marijuana makes it seem like a horrible drug, and that people lose judgement while on it. Part of the problem is that many people are simply unfamiliar with marijuana. These same people are also most likely unaware that people die from alcohol overdoses, while there has never been a fatal marijuana overdose. The legalization of marijuana will bring Americans countless benefits, including the profits from selling it and the decreased crime rate. After 75 years of marijuana prohibition, Colorado finally took a step forward and legalized it in all forms. As shown in the article, Marijuana industry sees green after Colorado legalization, “The cannabis industry projects roughly $750 million in 2014 sales in a state of only 5 million people.”(Pereira and Cohen) It is insanity that after these numbers were released from Colorado that every state didn’t go and legalize marijuana. If legalized nationally, it has been projected to be a $40-$50 billion dollar industry. With our economic situation, this would help us tremendously. In such short time, Colorado has already surpassed Amsterdam as the capital of the “marijuana world”. The city of Denver has over 300 dispensaries, which is more than their pharmacies, liquor stores, pubic schools and even Starbucks. Other than economically, marijuana has brought crime rates down, despite the old theory that it would bring madness, decadence and moral decay. When Colorado first legalized weed more than a year ago, many critics of the move warned that crime would rise. In the article, If Legalizing