Along with the very important, presidential election we had this past week, another critical issue was voted on, that has the capacity to change the way we view our government, as well as our culture. Two states, Colorado and Washington, approved an amendment that would allow for the recreational use of marijuana, as well as allowing any person to grow up to six plants for personal use.This means that any person over the age of 21 would be allowed to possess up to one ounce of marijuana, without being prosecuted by any state officer. Notice, though, that I wrote "state officer." This is important because although the state governments of Colorado and Washington have allowed the use of the plant, federal law still exists that classifies marijuana as a schedule 1 drug, which means it is considered one of the most forbidden drugs by the federal government. This would imply that any federal agency could still have the authority to prosecute anyone in possession of marijuana, even if they are within their respective state's boundaries.
Many other states, 16 to be exact, also have laws allowing the use of marijuana, but in these states the plant is only allowed to be used medicinally. The federal government is also having the same problem with these states, as it is with Colorado and Washington.
Many people are now asking, "What Now?" Will the government be passive with these new laws, allowing the possible eventual end to the prohibition of marijuana, or will the government find a way to counteract the laws? Some experts suggest that to attempt to null these laws, the government could withhold certain types of federal funding, such as highway monies. At this point no one is certain what will happen with the laws enacted, although in due time, some kind of effect will appear.
Personally, I feel like the legalization of marijuana is long past due. Not only is marijuana less harmful than alcohol, but it has even been proved to have health benefits as well. The strict conservatives, as well as the federal government, who are opposing the legalization of the plant need to open their eyes. Not only will the legalization help the government gain more trust from the citizens, especially the younger citizens, but it will also reduce the number of people in jails significantly. Also, as a result of these new laws, the illegal cartel industry, which is mostly in Mexico, will lose billions of dollars, and that money will instead be in the hands of the state governments.
I completely agree with you on this. I think that marijuana should be legalized. I am not someone who uses marijuana, but I have done research and I feel that the benefits we could receive highly out way any problems that would arise from this.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, one of the benefits would be the increase in money the country could make off of it. After doing some studies and using multiple different variables, studies have shown that the marijuana industry makes anywhere from $1,000,000,000 to $109,000,000,000. If the government would take this substance and regulate it like they would alcohol or cigarettes, they could make a lot of money on the taxes that they could impose on it, helping the country with the current debt we are in.
Secondly, industries could use the hemp material that you get from marijuana to make cheaper paper, clothing and ropes. It would help with the environment because it is easier to grow, so we could start cutting down less of our precious trees that take years and years to grow back.
Also, there have been studies that show that marijuana has many health and medical benefits. There are already multiple states that allow marijuana for medical use only. I feel that if we have found something that can help people with many medical issues, why would we try and ban it.
Finally, it has been shown that marijuana is less dangerous then alcohol and cigarettes. There has never been a case where a person has died from overdose with marijuana. And marijuana does not affect your health like a cigarette does. People also feel it is more dangerous because it causes crime rates to go up, when really there are very few cases of crime where marijuana was involved.
http://www.uri.edu/personal/atro6990
http://www.cnbc.com/id/36179677/How_Big_Is_The_Marijuana_Market
Nicholas, I completely agree with your position that "the legalization of marijuana is long past due." Not only is marijuana less harmful than alcohol it is less lethal as well. According to Dr. Lester Grinspoon at Harvard Medical School, "there are no deaths from cannabis use. Anywhere." The health benefits of marijuana use can include pain and nausea relief, antidepressant, improved blood sugar, reduced blood pressure and intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma, and anxiety relief. The legalization of recreational marijuana will reduce the number of citizens "being prosecuted for crimes such as possession" and as a result free up jail space in our nation's jails. Another beneficial outcome to the legalization of cannabis is the boost to the economy "in that is allows for legal distribution and taxation of marijuana." The taxes collected on the sales of recreational marijuana could potentially generate "$2.2 and $6.4 billion per year". I anticipate that several other states will follow suit of the legalization now that Washington and Colorado have started the end of the marijuana prohibition. Once legalized, the sales of cannabis can be regulated just like alcohol and tobacco, and a new, legal market will open up, stimulating our economic slump and reduce unemployment by creating new jobs in the marijuana market. The Texas Democrat party "endorses marijuana decriminalization." We may just see this amendment in Texas some time very soon.
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