Teacher
Class
15 April 2013
Legalization of Marijuana Close to 100 million Americans claimed to use marijuana at some point in their lives, and 25 million within the past year (Normal). Marijuana is the most popular illegal drug used in the United States. The legalization of marijuana has caused much controversy in this country since around the 1970’s and the debate still continues to this day. Many argue that marijuana is a gateway drug and there are no benefits of this drug, while others recognize there are medical advantages but still do not support recreational use. There is a large population, though, who believe there is no harm with the recreational use of marijuana, and support the legalization of it. The legalization of marijuana in this country would not only prove further that this drug is not a gateway drug, but it would also enhance the quality of the drug, and the economy. Many believe that marijuana is a major gateway drug, and use that as a main reason to keep it illegal. Keeping marijuana illegal makes it much more difficult to receive this drug, and those who want to try it may begin to associate with bad influences to get it. This is an understandable way to look at this drug as a gateway drug, but with its legalization, teens and other marijuana users would not have to associate with drug dealers who are interested in selling more serious drugs. A 12 year study was performed in 2006 by the American Psychiatric Association that proved no relationship between the uses of marijuana increasing the chances of the usage of other drugs (Gupta). The legalization of marijuana could do nothing more than dispel the myth of it being a gateway drug. The quality of the black marketed marijuana could easily make a consumer a bit uneasy. Because this drug is illegal, it is nearly impossible to get quality, well refined marijuana without a ridiculous price tag attached. With the help of the government, this drug could be processed mechanically and kept refined, inspected, and packaged in small amounts as the government pleases. This would drastically reduce the price from as high as $300 an ounce, to less than 50 cents an ounce (Gupta). In the black market, the cheap marijuana can have negative effects on the consumer, with a risk factor that the consumer receives an impure version of this drug. With government regulation there would be no chance of purchasing laced marijuana unless you continue on the black market. The quality of marijuana would increase twofold if it were legalized in this country.
Finally, the legalization of marijuana could greatly impact the economy. Having government regulation on marijuana could change the game for America. As stated before, marijuana could be regulated and sold for less than 50 cents an ounce, when people are used to buying the same amount for anywhere between 20-300 dollars (depending on the quality). The government could take great advantage of this by taxing it and still keeping it at an affordable price. Economist Stephen Easton suggests that as much as $100 billion could be generated revenue with the legalization of marijuana (Gupta). This could also easily bring in many more jobs for Americans. If nothing else, the legalization of marijuana would help boost our economy in America greatly.
With the increasing numbers of users of marijuana in this country, the debate of legalization becoming more and more heated. Recreational use of marijuana is not harmful, and with legalization could eliminate any risk factor in smoking it. The legalization of marijuana in this country would not only prove further that this drug is not a gateway drug, but it would also enhance the quality of the drug, and the economy.
Works Cited
Gupta, Sourabh. “Pros and Cons of Legalizing Marijuana.” Buzzle. N.p. 13 Apr. 2013. Web. 10
Feb 2013.
Normal: Working to Reform Marijuana Laws. N.p. Web. 13 Apr. 2013.
Cited: Gupta, Sourabh. “Pros and Cons of Legalizing Marijuana.” Buzzle. N.p. 13 Apr. 2013. Web. 10 Feb 2013. Normal: Working to Reform Marijuana Laws. N.p. Web. 13 Apr. 2013.
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