Should+Marijuana+be+Legalized?

=  = =Should Marijuana be Legalized?=

__//Research Paper//__
Throughout American history we have seen the outlawing of many drugs including alcohol. While alcohol was later legalized again, one very controversial question has remained; should marijuana be legalized? This is a question that has been asked for years and has literally split the country in half. I believe marijuana parallels greatly with alcohol in more than terms of its dangers. We are also seeing similarities with the ineffectiveness of the Prohibition in the 1920’s. I believe that marijuana should be legalized because the advantages greatly outweigh the disadvantages. I am not promoting legalization for recreational purposes, but I am suggesting the idea that legalizing alcohol over marijuana seems hypocritical.

In the United States the country is split with the answer to this question. Nearly three-fourths of the country support marijuana for medical purposes. Not to mention the half of Americans who support legalization at least to lower the prison systems ( Khatapoush, Shereen, and Denise Hallfors). In our country we hold rapists, murderers, and terrorists in the same facility as a man carrying marijuana. The country has set its laws against marijuana so their punishment is legitimate, however, I feel it may be unnecessary. A person driving under the influence of alcohol is more dangerous than a person driving under the influence of marijuana. If both persons have the substance on them, I have a hard time reasoning why a person with marijuana is penalized more.

It would be naïve for me to argue that marijuana produces only benefits to its users. It is no secret that marijuana for recreational purposes is indeed a bad drug. Many have discovered it to be a gateway drug to more serious narcotics like crack or heroine. One study shows that chronic users of marijuana are reported to have a higher occurrence of panic attacks. The research also showed the negative impacts on the body, like an increased risk of lung diseases. However, the same study shows that it is virtually impossible to overdose on marijuana, unlike alcohol. Their research has also showed that there is little correlation between marijuana usage and heart rate activity (Bonn-Miller, Marcel O., and Michael J. Zvolensky). It is true that smoking marijuana causes lung problems and destroys brain cells, but don’t we hear about these problems amongst those that smoke cigarettes and consume alcohol? In no way do I wish to condone the use of marijuana for recreational purposes, but I feel that these risks should be something a user has to decide to endure. Even out side of recreational uses, California and nine other states have seen uses for marijuana in the medical field.

With the outlawing of marijuana our outcomes include packed prison systems, drug-related crimes, and a country full of American’s in disagreement. Marijuana users are selling and buying the drug “under ground,” and we are seeing a billion-dollar industry going untaxed; déjà vu anyone? In the 1920’s America tried to outlaw alcohol because they found that this mind-altering substance had virtually no health benefits. However, when they banned the drug, “neither alcohol consumption nor alcohol prices changed substantially, while violent crime increased” (Miron Economic Analysis). Similarly with marijuana, the outlawing of the drug has clearly not stopped people from using the drug. I think it is an obvious decision to learn from our mistakes. The Prohibition has taught us that outlawing the drug simply causes violence and a loss on an economic market. Economically speaking, tax the sin out of it. Before the Prohibition began, we saw the “sin” tax used. This may not stop people from using the drug, but it will certainly put money in the economy.

If marijuana were legalized, we would see a drastic reduction in some types of gang related incidences. In an over generalized and exaggerated example, why go to a gang leader loaded with guns when you could simply head to your friendly Wal-Mart next door. Obviously the marijuana should not be as accessible as my example, but the point is that drug dealers would lose power in that sense; with that, there would be less crimes. I am not naïve about the legalization of marijuana; I understand that it would not solve all problems. “ A small component of the marijuana market might remain illicit—moonshine marijuana rather than moonshine whiskey—but if regulation and taxation are moderate, most producers and consumers will choose the legal sector, as they did with alcohol” (Miron Marijuana). The legalization of marijuana would likely increase the usage of the drug, but the dangers are still no match to that of alcohol’s. I suggest that we directly parallel marijuana with alcohol. Set age limits and public usage restrictions to keep people in check. Rather that causing problems with outlawing the drug; I suggest we find solutions and find a happy medium. After considering criminal, social, and most importantly economic benefits; I think my question becomes more rhetorical.

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