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Keen Kaur

Senior English P3

Figueroa

17 December 2018

Legalizing Marijuana

Legalizing marijuana has been a controversial topic since the early 1900s, and it still is

today. The laws placed against marijuana led to many disputes and problems across the United

States instead of reducing crime, violence, and illegal actions. In order to understand why the

government should legalize cannabis, one must understand the history behind the vexed herb. It

was declared illegal in the early 1900s, and major efforts to legalize it began in the 60s. The legal

status on marijuana was declared by the federal government as a schedule one drug. The

government stressed that it has a high potential for abuse, dependence and has no medical

benefits. Science, research, and statistics suggest otherwise. The origins of cannabis root from

China in which it was utilized strictly for its medicinal benefits. Afterwards, it spread to many

other parts of the world, and it was deemed as a successful cash crop. It provided many resources

such as hemp fabric, rope, and other products. Later, during the eighteenth century, it was

recognized for its healing medical properties which made it a huge commodity in the

pharmaceutical industry. Marijuana was a staple in many new, developing economies.

Although marijuana has endless beneficial properties, there is a slim chance that it may

cause neurological impairment. Also, marijuana is classified by the federal government as a

schedule one drug for reasons that must be considered. Finally, it may be viewed as a detriment

to society. Still, overall, the benefits outweigh the negatives that may come with smoking,

consuming, or using cannabis. I believe that legalizing marijuana can contribute to great
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outcomes. It would be of service to many that seek medical treatment. There are multiple

benefits that exist, and research is continuously being done to discover more. Given the

opportunity and resources, I would make significant efforts to legalize this herb. My solution to

the issues and stigma surrounding the recreational and medicinal use of marijuana is to place

regulations like those on tobacco and alcohol. Educating the public on the acceptable effects of

marijuana unlike other drugs would be an essential part of my plan. Legalizing marijuana would

positively influence the economy, reduce crime and incarceration rates, and open doors to its

medical benefits.

Firstly, marijuana legalization would not only provide a plethora of or jobs, but it would

also create revenue for the states that take action and the overall economy itself. Legalizing

marijuana would expand and benefit the economy by providing a variety of jobs in the vast

marijuana industry. “New frontiers report predicting the impact of federally legal marijuana

suggests that nationwide legalization could generate 1.1 million jobs by 2025” (Goldstein 42).

With legalization, new economic opportunities would open to the exponentially growing

workforce. First hand jobs include distributing, providing, selling, and farming cannabis

products. In addition, secondary computer, equipment engineering, and other higher position

jobs would be available. Mass employment would produce billions in labor income. Also,

marijuana sales would have an impact on tax revenue and would, again, benefit the United Sates

economy. “Sales in North America grew 30%, to 6.7 billion, in 2016, and is projected to increase

to 20 billion by 2021” (Goldstein 43). The legal cannabis industry would contribute billions in

tax revenue. Local economies would drastically flourish and thrive with these sales. The money

would fund community centers, schools, and more local institutions. Should it become illegal,

the benefits would be extremely exceptional. The legal marijuana industry would greatly benefit
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the United States economy through the production of new jobs and the revenue from marijuana

sales.

Legalizing marijuana would aslo drastically reduce crime rates and overall incarceration.

Criminalizing marijuana only opens more doors for illegal activities in order to obtain it from

illegal vendors. Higher crime rates relating to cartels and illegal harvesting would decrease

drastically if legal, federal dispensaries existed all throughout the United States. “A legal

marijuana industry would provide competition to criminal cartels and other black-market

dealers” (Golstein 66), and “leaving marijuana criminalized sponsors massive amounts of

violence and corruption” (Mohgadaspour 23). If cannabis was legalized for recreational and

medicinal use, there would be legal markets putting illicit black markets out of business. If all of

the states collectively legalized cannabis, it would stump all possible illegal competition within

the US. The crime associated with these black markets would also decrease as the overall black

market for marijuana would gradually diminish. In addition, legalization would lead to heavier

regulations on growing marijuana. This would diminish the illegal growth and harvesting.

Furthermore, prisons are flooded with non-violent offenders that are serving lengthy sentences.

Taxpayer money is going towards keeping prisoners in jail that committed no true crime. Instead,

higher crime offenders should be sought out. Legalizing marijuana would decrease the rate of

incarceration by a landslide. “With legalization of marijuana, advocates also predict fewer arrests

and fewer marijuana offenders clogging courts” (Moghadaspour 21). Usually, these crimes are

almost always related to possession. Possession is no crime that deserves lengthy sentences and

prison time. The prison problem in America has been an issue for decade, and so has the huge

illicit black market for drugs. Legalizing cannabis would reduce the black market and

incarceration rates overall.

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Furthermore, marijuana has many medical benefits. The medical benefits of marijuana

ultimately outweigh the negatives. Its medicinal properties are beneficial to patients that suffer

with many conditions and symptoms. “It is effective in controlling muscle spasms for people

with neurological problems, in controlling nausea and increasing appetite for cancer and aids

patients, and in controlling eye pressure that causes damage in glaucoma” (William and Zeese

26). It can be prescribed to a variety of patients that are beyond the few stated, treating many

with existing symptoms. Many doctors and specialists themselves would take advantage of

marijuana pharmaceutically if they could. “A recent Harvard survey of oncologists showed that

almost half would prescribe marijuana if it was legal” (William and Zeese 26). Marijuana holds

multiple benefits, making it eligible for patient prescription. Beyond oncologists, many

physicians have taken actions into their own hands in effort to legalize marijuana by suing the

DEA. Many medical professionals are in favor of legalization.

Conversely, there is a slight chance that it may fall into the hands of those that are too

young for the substance. If it were to fall into the hands of young, developing teenagers, it could

pose threats. A Northwestern University research suggests, “Heavy cannabis use in adolescents

causes persistent impairments in neurological performances” (Hawkins 14). The effects of

marijuana on a young mind would present many problems, just as any other illicit or prescription

drug. There may be a slight chance that young teens find a loophole through the heavy

regulations, although the chances are slim. Also, “Students who use marijuana have lower grades

and are less likely to go to college than nonsmokers” (Hawkins 14). Students that smoke

cannabis heavily are likely to perform poorly compared to students that do not smoke. It is one of

the few slightly possible outcomes of using marijuana.

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Also, marijuana can potentially become an addiction for some individuals. Science and

research suggest that it is highly uncommon for one to become addicted to cannabis, but there

may be individuals that become dependent on the substance. “It would be malpractice to say that

cannabis is not addictive. Anyone who’s experienced it... knows how profound that addiction is”

(Hawkins 15). There have been few cases of those who became reliant on marijuana and

struggled. Tim Bradley suggests, “Even if such psychoactive substances can be used morally,

they can be abused and used immorally.” (23). There is potential for marijuana to be abused for

purposes beyond enjoyment or medical use, just as any type of substance.

However, the points made against legalization have many holes in them. The regulations

placed on marijuana would be similar to those placed on alcohol or tobacco. It would make it

extremely difficult for minors to obtain it. “Our law regulates its possession to those 21 and older

and regulates its use in various ways... protecting others from harms that may result in abuse”

(Bradley 27). Laws that are placed on marijuana would regulate it enough so that it would not

have high potential for abuse, and so that it would not fall into the hands of a minor. ID

requirement and verification, just as those on tobacco and alcohol, would ensure that teens would

not have easy access compared to the black market dealers. Also, the chance of one becoming

heavily dependent on the substance is rare, and the chances are slim to none. Dr. Drew Pinsky

states, “It’s not very addictive for many people. It’s a small subset of people with a genetic

potential for addiction” (32). There is a very slight chance for addiction, and it falls under genetic

factors. A common person will not become addicted to marijuana. There has been no case of

marijuana addiction serious enough for therapy or rehabilitation. The arguments made against

marijuana legalization do not outweigh the benefits that would result from it.
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Legalizing marijuana for medical and recreational use would benefit the economy, reduce

the black market and rates of incarceration, and would open doors to its medicinal benefits. The

economy would flourish with the amount of jobs it would produce in masses, and the amount of

revenue from marijuana sales. Also, legalizing the substance would put black markets out of

business, ultimately reducing crime associated with marijuana. The rates of incarceration would

decrease and there would be less inmates in prison serving lengthy sentences for non-violent

crimes. Finally, individuals could take advantage of the medicinal benefits that marijuana

provides. Many patients suffering with conditions and symptoms could make use out of it.

Overall, legalization would benefit the economy, government, and even society through the

benefits it provides.
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Works Cited

Bradley, Tim. “No, We Should Not Legalize Recreational Marijuana Use.” Public Discourse, 13

Oct. 2018, www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2016/10/17898/.

Goldstein, Margaret J. Legalizing Marijuana: Promises and Pitfalls. Learner Publishing Group, 2016.

Hawkins, John. “ 5 Reasons Marijuana Should Remain Illegal.” Townhall, Townhall, 21 Jan. 2014,

townhall.com/columnists/johnhawkins/2014/01/21/5-reasons-marijuana-should-remain-illegal-

n1782086.

Moghadaspour, Kelsey. “The Benefits Of Legalizing Marijuana.” The Odyssey Online, Odyssey, 27

Aug. 2017, www.theodysseyonline.com/the-benefits-to-legalization-of-marijuana.

Zeese, Kevin, and William Ruzzamenti. Should Marijuana Be Legalized for Medical Uses? Health Time

Inc, Nov. 1993.