Marijuana legalization has been a hot topic since it’s criminalization in 1915. As debate rages many Americans remain in the dark as to the physical and societal affects of Marijuana use. When taken logically there are many significant reasons why the de-criminalization and legalization of Marijuana is a good idea.
10. Prohibition has not prevented the cultivation, sale or use of Marijuana
Despite billions of dollars spent on combating the use of Marijuana there is still a large portion of the population that continues to smoke. Roughly 25 million people a year smoke cannabis. Some estimates suggest that over 85 million Americans over the age of 12 has used marijuana at least once.
9. Criminalization has created enormous costs to the tax payers
According to numerous US government reports 47.4% of drug arrests were for marijuana, a great majority of which was solely for possession i.e. not intending to sell or distribute. The average cost to imprison a single person is 67.55 a day. With roughly 250,000 people in jail for marijuana alone this means the US spends about 17 million a day to keep these people in jail, which adds up to a grand total of just over 6 BILLION dollars a year. Such a shame considering most of these individuals were using only for personal use and also no violent offenders. Imagine how much 6 billion a year could do to catch genuine criminals.
8. Criminalization has created a significant criminal element (both here and abroad)
Since the cannabis has been criminalized and appetite has continued huge vacuums existed to supply smokers. With no government oversight large gangs and drug syndicates have smuggled the drugs and siphoned billions of dollars out of the US economy while at the same time increasing crime and violence in multiple countries. Same as with alcohol prohibition, the legalization would essentially eliminate the gangs (or at least greatly reduce their power) because of the lack of money.
7. Marijuana use has legitimate medical benefits
Thousands of studies conducted have proved that marijuana has numerous medical benefits. Marijuana has been shown to help with: insomnia, loss of appetite (from anorexia or chemotherapy), nausea, pain, inflammation, Glaucoma, neurological disorders, movement disorders, balance disorders and others.
6. Marijuana use has recreational benefits
The general mental well being of occasional marijuana users is generally very high. Ability to handle emotions, stress and improve creativity and abstract thinking are all proven benefits of marijuana use. Yes, like with anything too much marijuana can be a bad thing. After all, too much water can kill you. Yet as it is no death has ever been recorded due to marijuana use by itself. A great deal of art, music, new inventions and forward thinking has been inspired by the use of marijuana. Like it or hate it marijuana has significantly contributed to the culture here in the US and worldwide.
5. Prohibition makes marijuana more accessible to minors
The prohibition (aka lack of regulation) allows illegal drugs to be more easily accessed to youths, where tobacco and alcohol are more difficult to obtain drugs like marijuana are readily available to minors. NIDA studies show that 86% of high schoolers thought marijuana would be “easy” or “very easy” to obtain. NIDA states that 1 in 7 10th graders smoke marijuana and 1 in 5 12th graders smokers. Clearly criminalization isn’t stopping marijuana from getting to kids.
4. Prohibition takes away from basic freedoms we are meant to have
Basic constitutional freedoms suggest that we as individuals have the right to decide what is put into our bodies, particularly if it does not affect others. Many would agree that the use of marijuana does cause on impact but time and time again studies have proved that marijuana is one of the safest drugs known to man. Far fewer smokers drive under the influence of marijuana than alcohol and have been shown to be more cautious and capable during driving and alcohol users. But more than that, we as American have the right to choose, even if it may be unhealthy. Fatty foods kill millions of Americans each year but no one suggests that they should not be allowed to eat freely.
3. Marijuana has multiple uses in the industrial and energy sectors
Marijuana has overwhelming benefits beyond the drug itself. The hemp plant can be used in the development of bio-fuels, used for soaps, clothes, ropes, paper and even as a food supplement. Especially with relation to paper and fuel, thanks to marijuana’s extremely quick growth periods it is far more efficient and practical than other bio fuel materials such as corn.
2. Marijuana Is Not Lethal
Compared to a large majority of substances that are perfectly legal, marijuana has no recorded fatalities and is not toxic to the human being. Popular substances like alcohol and prescription drugs are responsible for thousands of deaths each year. In addition an unhealthy and sedentary life style causes far more health problems than marijuana use; which is why heart disease is one of the nation’s leading causes of death.
1. The Truth About Pot
The reasons for pots criminalization along with the side effects have been greatly distorted; in many cases complete lies have been told. Regardless of thousands of studies (including government studies) proving that the side effects and societal effects of marijuana are null, the US government has perpetuated myths and spent billions of dollars doing so. Most everyone knows of “Reefer Madness” the film that showed marijuana users going completely crazy and committing all kinds of criminal or scandalous acts. With the entire thing being surrounded and half truths and full lies, why is pot still illegal?
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