Why Marijuana Should Be Legal
Hillmont Talada 1 Danielle Cook English 1010 February 22, 2010
Why marijuana should be legal
Some people ask why marijuana should be legalized. But, perhaps, we should ask why
marijuana is illegal? Contrary to public opinion and current law there are more reasons for
marijuana to be legalized than for it to remain illegal. Marijuana cost taxpayers billions of
dollars, it is less harmful than other pharmaceutical drugs including alcohol and tobacco, it
provides medical benefits, and for some cultures it is used in their ritual. If marijuana was
legal it would benefit both those who use and those who don’t use because of tax revenue.
The US Government spends $10-$15 billion on the war against marijuana every
year (Nadelmann par. 3).When in fact if marijuana was legal, the government could tax it and
make billions. The revenue used could be for healthcare education, and other government
programs. As a result to marijuana being legal crime rate would go down seeing how there is
700,000 arrests per year for marijuana offenses roughly 600,000 or 87% of marijuana arrest are
nothing more than possession of small amounts.(Nadelmann par. 3). 2
According to the National Rreview, Amaricans spend 10 to 15 billion dollars a year on tidally
possession charges. In fact, Harvard economics, professor Jeffrey Miron includes that marijuana
legalization would create approximately 14 billion in benefits every year. According to a
recent study by the Fraser Institute, the marijuana industry in British Columbia generates billions
of dollars in revenue every year. This is a potential source of significant tax revenue, The
government can't tax marijuana if it is illegal. In conclusion if marijuana was legal the United
States would have more money to spend toward education and many other government
Why marijuana should be legal
Some people ask why marijuana should be legalized. But, perhaps, we should ask why
marijuana is illegal? Contrary to public opinion and current law there are more reasons for
marijuana to be legalized than for it to remain illegal. Marijuana cost taxpayers billions of
dollars, it is less harmful than other pharmaceutical drugs including alcohol and tobacco, it
provides medical benefits, and for some cultures it is used in their ritual. If marijuana was
legal it would benefit both those who use and those who don’t use because of tax revenue.
The US Government spends $10-$15 billion on the war against marijuana every
year (Nadelmann par. 3).When in fact if marijuana was legal, the government could tax it and
make billions. The revenue used could be for healthcare education, and other government
programs. As a result to marijuana being legal crime rate would go down seeing how there is
700,000 arrests per year for marijuana offenses roughly 600,000 or 87% of marijuana arrest are
nothing more than possession of small amounts.(Nadelmann par. 3). 2
According to the National Rreview, Amaricans spend 10 to 15 billion dollars a year on tidally
possession charges. In fact, Harvard economics, professor Jeffrey Miron includes that marijuana
legalization would create approximately 14 billion in benefits every year. According to a
recent study by the Fraser Institute, the marijuana industry in British Columbia generates billions
of dollars in revenue every year. This is a potential source of significant tax revenue, The
government can't tax marijuana if it is illegal. In conclusion if marijuana was legal the United
States would have more money to spend toward education and many other government
Cited: Nadelmann, Ethan A. “An End To Marijuana Prohibition” National Review. 12 July 2004. 25 pars . 9 February 2010