I am personally in favor of legalizing marijuana, because of all the benefits that would bring. Marijuana is not physically addictive like other illegal drugs and it also helps reduce stress. I know that there are negative and positive consequences for the legalization, but the positives are more reasonable to me.
With the legalization of marijuana crime will be reduced because there will no longer be a black market item. The number of drug dealers will decrease. Disputes over drugs that are domestic and territorial will also decrease. Most of our city’s crimes are related to this and reducing these problems should be a major concern to us.
Medical issues also arise for the legalization of marijuana. Marijuana can be used to treat many illnesses such as Aids. Marijuana will help increase their appetites, which would help fight off dangerous emaciation. People who have glaucoma use marijuana to help prevent them from going blind and it also helps cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy. I mean if the government could make cocaine and morphine legal, which are physically addictive and are way more dangerous. Why is it used for the treatment of patients and why not marijuana? Tobacco is legal and its one of the leading causes of deaths in America.
There are also many benefits for the government. In terms of profit the government could tax the sale of marijuana and use it for more important issues, such as paying for the war occurring right now in Iraq or help with our failing public school systems. Other countries that have legalize marijuana, such as Amsterdam have a low rate of its own citizens who actually use the substance and it’s earning a lot of money from tourists who go there because in their own country, marijuana is illegal. This large amount of money could in turn help the economy, which we need due to 9/11.
One of the anti-marijuana reasons are that marijuana maybe related to cancer. Tobacco is proven to cause various types of cancer, why is it legal? Another main reason for anti-marijuana is that it slows a person’s reaction time, well just like alcohol the government could make laws that restrict users from putting others in danger. With laws such as DWI (driving while intoxicated). Marijuana will destroy white blood cells, brain cells, and etc. Given the facts people still choose to use it, nobody is forcing them to.
After research and deliberating this issue with some of my friends I find it hard to believe that marijuana is illegal. It should be changed because I find it very more beneficial then negative.