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Noemy Escamilla
Mr. Hackney
English 101: Rhetoric
1 December 2014
Mary Jane Joins the Market
Recently, there has been a pro-marijuana movement across the country, both for medical
and recreational purposes. The emergence of people who favor a system in which cannabis
consumers can openly and legally buy the good has increased, but there continue to be those who
believe the addition would cause irreversible damages. As a result of the increasing popularity
many states and districts have passed legislations approving the use of marijuana for recreational
use: such as Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and more specifically the District of Columbia. In
recent discussion of the legalization of marijuana in D.C. a controversial issue has been whether
marijuana should enter the market; the benefits and risks, as well as ethics behind this action
have been called into play. Despite, the claim that marijuanas addition goes far beyond just that
of consumer justice, the reality is the benefits greatly outweigh any lingering negatives.
Although, this movement is large there remains a significant number of people who think
negatively of cannabis addition to the market. Kevin Sabet expresses his concern over the
American style Legalization and businesses that rely on habit and addiction to make
money. Mark A.R. Kleiman like Sabet believes in the legalization of cannabis, but not in its
incorporation to the market. Kleiman proposes a logical and intelligent solution he calls the
grow and give system. From this perspective, marijuana should be personally grown and not
added to the market. The marijuana grown would be used for personal use or to be gifted. In my
opinion, this, however,is flawed and would not work. The underground businesses would

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continue. The safety of the cannabis would less than that of laboratory grown plants. There may
be a breed that is grown by the producer that is not the safest and there is no way for them to
know that. The environment is not controlled when personally grown as it is if it were added to
be the market. Also, most people will not go through the hassle of growing their own marijuana
and will continue buying on the streets. In consequence, there would probably be an emergence
of new sellers as risks will not be as high as before. Competition will rise and so will the
violence that follows it. The benefits of adding cannabis to the market are much greater the any
possible negatives, not just for the consumer but also for the average citizen.
For those who say cannabis is still a drug that is harmful and makes people lose some of
the control they have over their body, I reply that this is true but the war against drugs is too
large to come to an end soon. As long as there is demand for something there will be suppliers
and quite frankly the demand for cannabis will not demolish; it may fade down but will most
likely never be eliminated. There will always be consumers and producers. So, from this
perspective, I use the ideology, If you can't beat them join them.
The incorporation of cannabis into the market would decrease crime rates, especially
within adolescents. Marijuana will be consumed whether it is legal or illegal. In those places
where it is illegal one can expect to see higher crime rates. There will be competition between
dealers to see who gets certain sectors. This is similar to what happened in the prohibition era
from 1919 through 1933. During which many underground businesses rose and came to be some
of the first known gangs. By adding marijuana to the market, dealers would be eliminated, as
well as the crime they cause.
Other non-violent crimes associated with the selling or possession of cannabis have had
an extensive burden those found guilty. In his article, Racial Justice at the Core of the

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Movement Dr. Malik Bunett heavily focuses on the aftermath effects of those with this type of
criminal record. He states, In the District of Columbia there are currently 60,000 formerly
incarcerated citizens who face many obstacles when seeking employment, education and
housing, all because of a criminal record (Bunett). Bunett suggests using some of the tax
revenue to create programs to help people with these records better their lives and no fall back
into old habits. Bunetts suggestion is just one of the ways tax revenue could help better society.
The taxes implemented on the marijuana can be used for constructive things. To begin
with, it can be used to raise an anti-drug awareness campaign. The public would become better
educated about drug usage and learn how to help others or themselves through an addiction.
They can receive support and treatment that may have not been availed to them otherwise. The
profit received from the taxes could also go into different areas such as government debt, general
education, or shelters. There are many places where the money could go towards that would be
quite beneficial to society.
In addition, to the benefits that could come from community reinvestment, the economy
would benefit equally. The addition of marijuana would create shops and laboratories where it
has to be grown and sold. This in turn would create new employment opportunities, creating an
influx of money coming in and out of the marijuana economy.
Not only does society and the economy benefit from a market being established, the
consumer does too. A regulated market will ensure the consumers safety: They are able to
enter a safe and secure environment, where they can purchase products grown under controlled
conditions with labels that convey THC content and other important information (Fox). The
legalization of cannabis gives rise to devices like the vape pens that eliminate some of the
previous hazards of smoking (Fox). In addition to the usage of cannabis becoming safer there is a

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possibility that it may become a substitute for alcohol. Out of the two substances, alcohol is
much more dangerous and a greater hazard for road safety.
While some frown upon the addition of marijuana to the market, I wholeheartedly believe
the benefits are much greater than any negatives.Though I concede that it is harmful and
dangerous, I still maintain that market marijuana will be saffer. Not only does the consumer win,
but so does a whole economy and society. When a good is this popular, there is no way to stop
its immergence.

Works Cited
Burnett, Malik. "Racial Justice at the Core of the Marijuana Movement." Room for Debate. New
York Times, 17 Nov. 2014. Web. 1 Dec. 2014.
Fox, Steve. "Marijuana Market Will Benefit Consumers and Society." Room for Debate. New
York Times, 17 Nov. 2014. Web. 1 Dec. 2014.

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Kleiman, Mark A.R. "Marijuana Legalization Doesn't Have to Lead to Commercialization."
Room for Debate. New York Times, 17 Nov. 2014. Web. 1 Dec. 2014.
Sabet, Kevin A. "Marijuana Legalization Is Just a Gateway to Profits." Room for Debate. New
York Times, 17 Nov. 2014. Web. 1 Dec. 2014.