Marijuana has been considered to be a prescription for abundant ailments. In 1972, the US Congress placed marijuana in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act because they considered it to have “no accepted medical use.” Since then, 15 of 50 US states and DC have legalized the medical use of marijuana. As we watch our nation’s economy crumble, American leaders scratch their heads debating the economical impact of legalizing and taxing Marijuana. Marijuana should be legalized nationally to help reduce prison populations, help stabilize Americas economy and to create a natural alternative to powerful pharmaceuticals.
In 2009 the Department of Justice reported that there were 1,841,182 drug arrests in the United States. Marijuana arrests accounted for 47.4% of drug abuse arrests. We can estimate that to be about 872,720 people were arrested for marijuana offenses. 89% of these arrests were for possession. Marijuana arrests are making the justice system too expensive and a lot less efficient by clogging up the courts, wasting jail cells and diverting attention from violent crimes. This would help lessen the War on Drugs tab that we are running up. Also, arrests for marijuana possession disproportionately affect blacks and Hispanics and reinforce the perception that law enforcement is biased and prejudiced against minorities. Blacks account for approximately 13% of the population of the United States and about 13.5% of annual marijuana users, however, blacks also account for 26% of all marijuana arrests.
Instead of wasting tax dollars, the United States could tax marijuana to create revenue. Professor Jeffrey A. Miron was endorsed by 500 economists when he stated “It would save the national and state governments an estimated 7.7 billion on law enforcement and generate and additional $8.2 billion in tax revenue.” Marijuana is the largest cash crop in the United States estimating 35.8 billion a year, but in economically challenged California, the value of its 8.6 million pound harvest is worth 14 billion, according to NORML. Passing grapes as number one. Imagine the state programs and hundreds of thousands of jobs that can be created by legalizing and adding a small tax to such an abundant resource. This would be the creation of a new industry. Something the United States hasn’t experienced since the Dot Com boom.
Marijuana’s legalization also would allow the development of hemp as a valuable and diverse agricultural crop in the United States. For example the use of hemp as a new bio-fuel to help reduce carbon emissions. As United States policy continues to encourage and promote the development of bio fuels as an alternative to oil. Legalization of marijuana will draw clear lines in regulations.
I understand that many are concerned with the risks of marijuana getting into the hands of teens and becoming their “gateway drug” more easily if its legalized. A regulated, legal market would reduce marijuana sales and use among teenagers. It will also reduce the chance of exposure to other illegal drugs held by the local drug dealers. This is where teens find their “gateway”. The illegal black market is what places the value on drugs. This provides opportunities for peers to sell to one another for large profits. Black market profits on marijuana would be ended through legalization. Alcohol and tobacco use among teenagers are serious issues, however, the widespread availability lessens the economic incentive to sell to peers, thus helping to diminish the black market. In the end, becomes the parent and communities responsibilities to educate children.
In addition to lessening the availiblity of drugs to teens, legalizing marijuana would reduce the profit of international criminal. The United States is experiencing this currently with Mexico. Illegal drugs make foreign cultivation and smuggling profitable.
“Marijuana is the safest therapeutically active substance known to man… safer than many foods we commonly consume.” DEA Judge Francis L. Young, Sept. 6, 1988. Modern research suggests that cannabis is a valuable aid in the treatment of a wide range of clinical applications. These include pain relief, nausea, spasticity, glaucoma, and movement disorders. Marijuana is also a powerful appetite stimulant and emerging research suggests that marijuana’s medicinal properties may protect the body against some types of malignant tumors and are neuroprotective. According to a 2010 study by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, the national average shows nearly three quarters of Americans favor their state allowing the sale and use of marijuana for medical purposes if prescribed by a doctor. Not only are pharmaceutical prescribed medications expensive, they are physically dominating causing extreme confusion, nausaa and often depression. I value the option of using a natural substance to control my symptoms. Marijuana is a the flower of a natural plant that is dried. I need nothing more.
The legalization of marijuana would inevitably add a new and powerful industry to our draining economy, reduce rising prison populations, and offer a natural alternative to powerful pharmaceuticals without the fear of becoming a criminal .
