Argumentative Essay On Legalizing Marijuana

Marijuana is something that has gained an increasing amount of support in American society today. However, it has not always received this type of support, during the 1930’s many people reported marijuana as an abysmal drug. Throughout history there have been many misconceptions about cannabis. The reason marijuana became a major concern was because the introduction of the plant by Mexican immigrants, who began flooding into the United States (Marijuana Timeline). Furthermore, during the same time American’s worried about losing their jobs to these new immigrants (Marijuana Timeline). Our Society responded by connecting crime and other tribulations with the use of marijuana, for the reason that the immigrants were big consumers. Many states …show more content…
Our economy could use a big boost and many experts believe that marijuana could be the problem solver. According to Ezekiel Edwards and Rebecca McCray, “Over 300 economists, including three Nobel Laureates, recently signed a petition that encourages the president, Congress, governors and state legislatures to carefully consider marijuana legalization in America (Edwards, McCray). These economists believe that marijuana would open up thousands of jobs plus bring in more tax money. In addition, a study conducted by Harvard economist ,Jeffrey Miron, found that the United States could potentially make “$13.7 billion per year” by legalizing marijuana (Berman). Furthermore, Economist suggests that if marijuana was taxed at the same rates tobacco and alcohol are that 6.2 billion dollars would be made just from taxation alone (Executive Summary). It seems only logical that a government whom is 18 trillion dollars in debt would do anything possible to decrease that deficit (U.S. National Debt Clock). People every day are buying and selling marijuana illegally; moreover this is billions of dollars Americans are letting slip through their fingers. The government could use the money to help pay off the debt, help lower tuition at colleges, or provide better wages for workers. In addition, by setting strict fines for buying and selling marijuana …show more content…
One ongoing issue facing the United States is overcrowding in its prisons. According to drugpolociy.org, the United States has the largest imprisonment percentage in the world (Drug War Statistics). One reason for this is because the United States “In 2013 incarcerated 2,220,300 people in federal, state and local prisons” (Drug War Statistics). Overcrowding is a pressing issue as well as funding for these people. Jeffrey Miron, a financial expert “suggests that if the government legalized marijuana it would save $7.7 billion annually by not having to enforce the current prohibition on the drug” (Berman). As previously explained legalizing marijuana has the ability to save the government money, and also make money by simply allowing the legalization. Moreover, the opposition to legalizing marijuana would say that marijuana is a gateway drug to harder drugs. However, the same case could be made for alcohol or cigarettes. Also, other people may say legalization will promote smoking marijuana. This may be true although by allowing FDA regulation it will make a safer substance than what is on the black

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Argumentative Essay On Legalizing Marijuana