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Legalization of Marijuana
Marijuana is a commonly consumed drug in the United States of America that is made from dried flowers, stems, seeds and leaves of the Cannabis sativa plant. The drug is consumed in many different ways. Some people smoke it as hand-rolled cigars others using water bongs or pipes. Other people smoke it as blunts or using vaporizers to prevent inhalation of the smoke. Consumption of marijuana is prevalent among young people. According to research carried out in 2015, there was a high consumption of marijuana among young adults aged 18 to 25 years with statistical data being over a million youths. Although the use of the drug is very high, cannabis is illegal in the US; therefore people do consume it in secretly (Kleiman & Mark 26). There has been an ongoing debate on the legalization of marijuana in the US and some states the bill is almost to be implemented as a law. Marijuana should be legalized in the country for several reasons (Reuter np). This paper focuses on the reasons why marijuana should be legalized.
Marijuana is useful in the medical field to alleviate symptoms caused by specific ailment. It has been scientifically proven to help in several ways, and doctors prescribe it to some patients to aid the treatment of certain diseases. The drug can be used for cancer patients to treat nausea that results from chemotherapy treatment. It is also used to relieve the muscle cramps that occur from multiple sclerosis. The drug can also be used to boost the appetite of people living with chronic diseases such as nerve pain and HIV (Hoffmann, Diane and Ellen 1455). It works like the natural chemicals that are produced in the body to relieve inflammation and pain. Therefore, when consumed, it combines with the natural chemicals in the body to release a synergistic effect.
Legalizing marijuana can generate more revenue for the government. Cannabis is a highly consumed drug among the residents of America despite being illegal. If the government makes it legal that means it the residents can consume it freely without any fear of being caught hence increasing its consumption. Also, people that make and sell it will do it openly boosting their energy and income generated from selling and distribution the drug. The government should, therefore, legalize the drug and impose high taxes on it generate more revenue. According to market research, a unit of marijuana that is 0.5 grams can make up to 6.90 dollars profit considering the selling price to be 8.60 dollars and cost 1.70 dollars, therefore, if the government would take its legalized all the excess money generated by risk-premium in the form of tax. In addition to increasing the revenue for the government, it can also boost the country’s economy by creating more jobs for the jobless youths hence reducing the dependency ratio (Joffe, Alain & Samuel 113).
Additionally, legalization of marijuana will help curb most of the crimes that happen in the street. There are many drug cartels on the roads who do it illegally making lump sum amount of money from the business. Some add impurities to the drug to increase the quantity hence make more profit. There have been many criminal cases reported from the illegal selling and consumption of the drug which can be minimized by legalizing it (Swift np). Crimes such as using small children to traffic the drugs and selling contaminated cannabis which has adverse side effects to the consumers can be minimized. It will disrupt drug cartels, lower the rate of crimes in the street, and make it safe for consumption by testing and labeling the contents inside it and using a package that is appropriate and safe. It is a harmless herb that can be enjoyed in specific quantities if it is well prepared.
Marijuana should be legalized because it does not have very adverse effects when consumed in small amounts and its purest form. Some drugs have more adverse effects such as alcohol and cigarettes and are sold legally in the market (Volkow et al. 2220). Therefore, if such drugs are sold to the people, there is no significant reason to as why marijuana should not be made legal and have all the effects made known to the public just like the other drugs. By doing so, it will ensure all the consumers are aware of what they are consuming and the effects that can arise from its consumption. Also, it will minimize the use that comes from sheer curiosity. Before one attempts to smoke it, they will have all the information regarding the drug which will help in weighing out the options of smoking or not trying.
In conclusion, legalization of marijuana means regulating and allowing the drug to be processed without any rules and production, sale and distribution without restrictions. The drug should be legalized because of the following reasons: is useful in medical field to alleviate symptoms caused by specific ailment, can boost the country’s economy, will help curb most of the crimes that happen in the street and does not have very adverse effects when consumed in small amounts and in its purest form.
References
Hoffmann, Diane E., and Ellen Weber. “Medical marijuana and the law.” New England Journal
of Medicine 362.16 (2010): 1453-1457.
Joffe, Alain, and W. Samuel Yancy. “Legalization of marijuana: potential impact on
youth.” Pediatrics 113.6 (2004): e632-e638.
Kleiman, Mark. Marijuana: Costs of abuse, costs of control. New York: Greenwood Press, 1989.
Reuter, Peter. “Marijuana legalization: what can be learned from other countries.” Baltimore,
MD: RAND Drug Policy Research Center, University of Maryland (2010).
Swift, Art. “For the first time, Americans favor legalizing marijuana.” Gallup Politics (2013).
Volkow, Nora D., et al. “Adverse health effects of marijuana use.” New England Journal of
Medicine 370.23 (2014): 2219-2227.