The Legalization Of Recreational Marijuana

The dispute over the legalization of cannabis sativa, more commonly known as marijuana, is one of the most controversial issues ever to take place in the United States. Its use as a medicine has existed for thousands of years in many countries across the globe. Legalization should be considered despite efforts made by groups who say marijuana is a harmful drug that will increase crime rates and lead users to other more dangerous substances. The legalization of marijuana can improve our society by helping with our economy, freeing legal resources, and benefiting the overall health of the nation though medical uses.

Finally, the main reason millions of Americans want marijuana decriminalized is the positive effects it could have on our despicable economy. First off, decriminalizing marijuana will prevent users from going to prison which will save all us tax payers a whole lot of money. In California alone, the cost of marijuana enforcement can be estimated at over $200 million per year (Gieringer). The money is being spent on state prison, jail costs, court and probation, felony arrests, misdemeanor

Legalizing recreational marijuana will help the United Sates economy by combating the war on drugs. Regulation of the drug will bring money into the state and to the nation as well. Moreover, Clare Howard in his article, Why legalize recreational marijuana states, “America has lost the war on marijuana. The cost to taxpayers has been $1 trillion and has resulted in 40 million arrests. The war on marijuana needs to end like Prohibition ended in 1933 with the country recognizing failed public policy and formulating another plan with reasonable regulations and restrictions… perhaps regulating marijuana like alcohol and keeping it illegal for

The time and money being used to help fight marijuana has proved to be an unsuccessful cost and could be used in more beneficial uses like education or fighting violent crime. By legalizing marijuana the government would be able to save about $7.7 billion a year (geekpolitics). Not only would law enforcement costs be cut by legalizing marijuana but the government would also receive an increase in tax revenue. If marijuana would be legal it would be sold in the same method as alcohol and cigarettes. This method would allow the government to keep a close watch on the production of the marijuana and control the business cycle of the drug (geek). The legal marijuana would be taxed in the same ways as cigarettes and alcohol and the companies who would produce the product would also be taxed. Licenses for the sale of the legal marijuana would also be applied which would allow tight restrictions on the sale of the drug as well as provide safety.

Lantern.com reports that the first day of the year, pot sales in Colorado were more than 1 million dollars and the tax rate was about 29 percent (Jackson). According to The Huffington Post, a state like Texas could double that amount (Jackson). A study from Cato Institute also revealed that legalizing marijuana would generate at least 8.7 million dollars in federal and state tax revenue annually (Jackson). If marijuana brings in millions of dollars we need to use this money for schools education and lunches. Not only could the government use that money for schools, but use that money for military and economic purposes. Marijuana can also open many jobs because of the dispensaries, and if there were a great quantity of dispensaries employment would rise. “The ICF study estimates at least 81,000 additional direct, indirect and induced jobs in California as a result of legalized marijuana sales. It also projects an increase in total labor income by at least $3.5

In 2013 there was over a hundred thousand drug related crimes recorded in Canada. Some countries around the world, such as the Netherlands, have loosened their restrictions on recreational drug use in an attempt to lower crime rates in their nation. The current law in Canada strictly prohibits the use and distribution of all recreational drugs. Many people, however, question if this is the best way to regulate drugs. Some would argue that legalizing drugs would create an economic opportunity for the government, reduce crime, reduce drug illnesses and fatalities, and give citizens their justified rights. Thus, the government should legalize recreational drugs to be consumed and distributed in the same way as alcohol.

As shops for recreational and medical Marijuana open, more purchases of the product will be made which impacts the tax revenue. An example would be Colorado (a state that legalizes Marijuana) where “In 2015, Colorado collected more than $135 million in taxes and fee on medical and recreational marijuana” (Krishna, 2017). Arcview Market Research also predicts that “Sales in North America grew 30%, to $6.7 billion, in 2016, and is projected to increase to $20.1 billion by 2021”. The legalization of Marijuana will also provide many job opportunities since a variety of different jobs will be needed that relate to Marijuana. Investopedia.Com states “A RCG Economics and Marijuana Policy Group study on Nevada says that legalizing recreational marijuana in the state could support over 41,000 jobs till 2024 and generate over $1.7 billion in labor income. The ICF study estimates at least 81,000 additional direct, indirect, and induced jobs in California as a result of legalized marijuana sales. It also projects an increase in total labor income by at least $3.5 billion”. Another way legalizing Marijuana would impact the economy positively is that the government can save money spent on enforcing the law of Marijuana being illegal. Huffington post states “Inmates incarcerated on marijuana-related charges cost U.S. prisons $1 billion annually, according to a 2007 study, AlterNet reports.” and “The government would save an estimated $13.7 billion on prohibition enforcement costs and tax revenue by legalizing marijuana”.This low risk substance saves the economy a lot of money and support it

Legalization of marijuana also is going to boost our economy. According to the study, “Lost Taxes and Other Costs of Marijuana Laws,” by Jon Gettman, the U.S. marijuana is a $113 billion annual business that costs taxpayers $41.8 billion in enforcement costs and lost tax revenues(“Gettman, 2007”). AlterNet reporting that taxpayers are spending more than $1 billion annually to imprison pot offenders(“Paul, 2007”). So if we legalize pot we can save that billion. Colorado Economy Journal writing that Colorado Amendment 64 created over $60 millions in savings and

The Government should legalize the use of marijuana because of the economic benefits it would offer, The debate over whether the federal government should legalize marijuana has been escalating and states such as Colorado, and Oregon have legalized the use of medical and recreational use of marijuana due to the realization that marijuana could greatly benefit their economies, such as the creation of jobs, tax revenue, and young business leaders. The legalization of marijuana is highly beneficial to the United States government because it will save the government billions of dollars. According to Jeffrey Minron a Harvard economist “If marijuana were legalized, the government would save $7.7 billion dollars annually in law enforcement costs, and it could bring an additional $6.2 billion a year” (3).If the government were to legalize marijuana nationwide, there would be billions of dollars, which could be used to solve actual problems in the United States like education, poverty, Instead, the billions of dollars are being wasted to loosely enforce the ban.

Legalizing marijuana would also benefit the economy by taxation. Since Colorado has legalized marijuana, the state has gotten $10 million in taxes from retail sales in the first four months. Governor of Colorado, John Hickenlooper who opposed amendment 64 recently compared Colorado’s economy since legalization to that of other states noting “while the rest of the country’s economy is slowly picking back up, were thriving here in colorado.” (6 Months of Marijuana Sales: Positive Trends Emerge in Colorado. Laura Pegram, n.d. Web. 26 June 2014.) This is a statement directly from Colorado’s governor. Tax money can help get our country out of the deep debt that we are in. Many states can also legalize

Marijuana is our nation’s largest cash crop, with the legalization our country would have so much more money, with marijuana bringing in anywhere from ten ranging to 120 billion dollars a year, which our economy would benefit from. It would also spark new tax revenue possibly generating more than 120 billion dollars a year. “The states could see a major economic boon because of the legalization. The new measure is expected to bring the two states more than $550 million combined.” Says Harry Bradford with Huffington Post. With our country in debt legalizing medical marijuana would have a huge impact on our economy which is needed.

I live in an age dominated by information and technology. One where it is considered easier to open up a search engine and look something up than it is to start a conversation with a stranger. I live in era where I have more information at my fingertips than my ancestors could have even imagined existed in their lifetimes. I live in a time where without a doubt people should be the most educated and well informed than anybody in human history, and yet, this couldn’t be father from the truth and it appalls me. The wealth of information available to every single individual has done exactly the opposite of what makes logical sense. People have become lazier and lazier to the point where more often than not it becomes too much of a hassle to formulate an opinion individually. People just accept what is told to them and believe the convenient truths. However sad this may be… it is the truth. This truth allows otherwise big ticket discussions to go un-talked about. One such issue is that of the legalization of recreational marijuana. Many just assume that the reason that this “harmless substance” isn’t legalized is due to stuffy old politicians stuck in their ways or some other trivial reason. The truth of the matter is, marijuana is dangerous. It’s just as much a harmful drug as cocaine and meth are, and thus should be treated as a harmful drug. It blows me away how in a period of unlimited access to knowledge how little people actually know about this substance they’re quick to

Cancer is soon to be the leading cause of death in the United States. It currently accounts for nearly one in four deaths, and it is estimated that 1.6 million new cases will develop in 2014 (Freimuth,Ramer,&Hinz, 2009). Today, there are many treatments for cancer but they need to be implemented early and aggressively to achieve a therapeutic outcome. Therefore, it only makes sense to adventure out in the hopes of finding a more effective cancer treatment. Marijuana is a controversial topic in the news today, with many people for the legalization of medicinal use. Marijuana(cannabis) contains various organic chemical compounds known as cannabinoids. In the past few years, research into the anti-tumorigenic effects of cannabinoids have yielded some breathtaking results. This recent research has shown cannabinoids have the ability to inhibit tumor cell growth, and even program the cancerous cells to destroy themselves. These studies have also demonstrated that cannabinoids can affect the way tumor cells metastasize, and invade other tissues (Freimuth,Ramer,&Hinz, 2009). The following review will outline the data related to the impact of cannabinoids on cancer cell viability as well as their effectiveness in cancer symptom relief, compared to the treatments currently being practiced. The findings discussed here hope to shed new light on the therapeutic and anti-tumorigenic uses of cannabinoids.

The legalization of recreational and medical use of marijuana is still a controversial social issue faced by the United States. Although marijuana was seen as a dangerous drug back in the 1900’s, research has revealed the truth about marijuana, making the drug less frightening towards Americans. Now in the year 2015, marijuana is generally more accepted by Americans and many more see marijuana in a positive manner. Although marijuana does have some negative side effects, the side effects are not severe enough to justify a ban on the use of marijuana. In addition, due to the extensive research released on marijuana, people can clearly see the benefits legalizing marijuana would bring to the United States. Marijuana should be legal in all fifty states because the benefits outweigh any disadvantages and due to the benefits Colorado is receiving, it shows legalizing marijuana is an excellent choice.

The legalization of marijuana is a rapidly growing debate in modern day society. Many believe it can aid in economic growth and carry many health benefits. While legalizing marijuana might help states produce a surplus of tax revenue, it will end up hurting the economy down the road. Although marijuana may be able help treat certain diseases and cancers, it also poses potential health risk in the future. Legalizing marijuana will negatively affect the economy and public health in the long-term.