Legalization Of Marijuana

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Legalization of Marijuana

Under federal laws of the United States, using, selling, cultivating, owning and

transportation of cannabis is illegal. However, if a state decides to legalize the use of marijuana

for recreation purposes and other medical grounds, then they must have a regulation system in

place. The drug is listed under Schedule I of controlled substance act enacted in 1970. Among

the reasons why marijuana is illegal is that it is classified under the Schedule I drug. Drug

Enforcement Administration defines Schedule I drug as a substance that is likely to be abused by

users and has no fair medicinal value (Choo et al. 160). Attempts to legalize the drug for

medicinal and recreational use have always been met with stiff opposition from different quarters

in the society. However, some states have legalized it for recreation and medical reasons.

Therefore, the paper seeks to identify the advantages of legalizing marijuana.

I support legalization of marijuana because I believe that the legalization will eradicate

the illegal trade and allied crimes. It will also lead to the collection of substantial tax revenues

and reduce the costs of policies. According to the polls conducted over the years, the support for

the use of Marijuana is rising. The majority of the population in the US in the early 90’s

supported legalization of Marijuana; years down the line, polls indicate that the number has not

changed as those sampled supported legalizations of marijuana. According to information from

the press, a large percentage of Marijuana is sold each year in the state of California. Therefore,

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because of this great number, the government can utilize the opportunity to collect excise taxes,

which could be a source of income to the state (Hall, Wayne and Megan 116).

I also support the legalization of marijuana because of the recreational purposes

associated with it. Several states (Colorado, Maine, Alaska, and Washington) have passed their

laws making right the use of marijuana for recreational purposes. According to the Gallup poll

conducted, almost three quarters if the sampled population supported legalization of the

Marijuana (Monte et al., 242). The figure is the highest in a series of studies done on the

legalization of Marijuana. The sampled group also felt that the federal government should not

interfere in these states (Hall, Wayne and Megan 116).

The Marijuana business has grown considerably; the federal government has always

stated that the legalization of marijuana, will contribute to the increase in the use of the drug by

adolescents and youths since it will make it easier for the drug to be obtained. However, studies

conducted in Colorado (one of the states that have legalized Marijuana), showed no relationship

between legalization of marijuana and how the youths use. On the contrary, teen use is far much

lower than the national average, few teens reported to using the drug, than before it was legalized

(Hall, Wayne and Megan 116). With strict age limits, the use of the drug will decrease; Colorado

believed that with risk awareness campaigns, the use would be highly regulated. Surveys

conducted in the state of Colorado indicate a sharp reduction in the use of Marijuana by youths. I

therefore, support legalization since youth decide on their own on whether to take the drug or

avoid it based on their personal decisions.

Legalization of marijuana can bring in huge taxes to the government. The state can use

the amount to conduct education drives targeting the minors (Schinke et al. 257). The campaigns

can aim at educating the youths on the dangers of using the drug; teach the public on relevant

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laws and the impact of using Marijuana. With the revenue expected to increase in the coming

years, campaigns that are more educational will be conducted to deter underage use. Moreover,

with strict rules, it is anticipated that the use of Marijuana will be regulated. The move by the

state to use the tax revenues from Marijuana for educational purposes indicates that the state has

the commitment to inform the public fully and attempt to minimize the utilization of the drug

(Monte et al. 242).

I also support the legalization of marijuana because, with the legalization of the drug,

revenues will be generated through taxes levied on sales and distribution. Such funds will be

used for other useful economic developments such as building roads, leading to improved

standards of living. It is also expected that law enforcement agencies will have more time to

concentrate on serious and violent crimes, overcrowding will be minimized in state prisons, and

it will give the police and advocates more time to focus on other forms of crime. Moreover,

legalizing recreational weed will deny a source of income for illegal drug traders leading to a

reduction in cases related to the trade of Marijuana and saves lives. It is also expected that with

the legalization of Marijuana, people who buy the drug will be safer since the trading

environment will be more hygienic and safe compared to the street market where they purchase

the drug not knowing whether the drug has been handled safely (Choo et al. 162).

The drug will also be used for medicinal purposes; it is believed in the medical world that

Marijuana is used to effectively treat a broad range of diseases including Crohn’s disease,

Multiple Sclerosis, epilepsy and post-traumatic stress disorders. In addition, the drug is effective

in the treatment of patients undergoing chemotherapy sessions. It gives an individual personal

freedom. By limiting the use of marijuana, the freedom of a person is limited. It is the right of a

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person to decide what is best for his body (Schinke et al. 257). Use of marijuana is considered a

victimless activity, where only the user suffers the consequences.

Conclusion

Though there is still fear that legalization of marijuana will be abused, some states have

already legalized its use. Though there are teething challenges, proper measures have been put in

place to make the public fully aware of the effects of marijuana. It is important that the law

enforcers, the judiciary, local governments and other interested groups work together to develop

a community that will be free from marijuana addiction and other effects.

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Works Cited

Choo, Esther K., et al. "The impact of state medical marijuana legislation on adolescent

marijuana use." Journal of Adolescent Health 55.2 (2014): 160-166.

Hall, Wayne, and Megan Weier. "Has Marijuana Legalization Increased Marijuana Use Among

US Youth?." JAMA pediatrics 171.2 (2017): 116-118.

Monte, Andrew A., Richard D. Zane, and Kennon J. Heard. "The implications of marijuana

legalization in Colorado." Jama 313.3 (2015): 241-242.

Schinke, Steven, et al. "Is the Legalization of Marijuana Associated With Its Use by

Adolescents?." Substance Use & Misuse 52.2 (2017): 256-258.

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