Stacy Merkerson

April 19, 2013
Legalizing Marijuana

Marijuana has had a long history in this country. It has been used through the years to treat illnesses and save lives. The use of marijuana currently contributes billions of dollars per year to the United States economy. Although marijuana is illegal, legalizing it would help to boost the U.S economy. It would also contribute to advances in medicine and offer relief for patients with painful and debilitating illnesses. Therefore, the federal government should consider legalizing marijuana. According to Narconon International (2013), “The use of marijuana/cannabis dates as far back as 2737 B.C. in writings for the Chinese Emperor Shen Nung”. The ancient use for marijuana focused on its medicinal powers. It was often used for the treatment of gout, malaria, and rheumatism. The ancient writings mentioned the euphoric state that could be achieved for the use of marijuana; however, the medicinal value was considered more important than the intoxicating properties that it possessed. Since ancient times the use of marijuana has spread from continent to continent. Marijuana was brought to the Americas around 1545. It made its way to the colony of Jamestown in the early 1600’s and it became a major crop. It the late 1800’s hemp as it was called at the time was being replace by cotton as a major cash crop in the southern United States. Even though it was not producing the revenue that it

once had, it was being used in certain medications. It wasn’t until the 1920’S that marijuana became extremely popular. It has been said that the prohibition act was the primary reason for the increase in the popularity of marijuana and its usage. In those years marijuana was not illegal and its usage did not pose any moral or social threats; therefore, it usage was tolerated. The intoxicating properties that marijuana possess made it one of the go to drugs to prescribe for various conditions such as nausea, rheumatism and labor pains. It was not until the 1930’s that the Federal Bureau of Narcotics which is now known as the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs sought to start a campaign that would portray marijuana as a powerful substance that would lead its users down the path to addiction. Two decades after it was portrayed as this horribly addictive substance college students and hippies in the 50’s and 60’s were avid users for marijuana. Incidentally the usage of marijuana symbolized wide spread rebellion against authority during a time of tremendous change in this country. Marijuana is a mixture of dried leaves of the cannabis sativa or hemp plant. (ask.com 2012). The legalization process is a botanical conversation within the United States that won’t seem to go away. The talk of legalizing the growth and sale of the plant has drawn comments such as “It is an evil plant that doesn’t have a place in this society or ‘It is the answer to future sources of federal and state revenue”. The thoughts on the subject will differ greatly depending on who you ask. There are many types of marijuana and they all have a different reaction. Even though the reactions are different, they all can be grown in the same way. Cannabis plants can be grown indoor or outdoor whichever way that it is grown the plant requires specific conditions to flourish. Growing the plant outdoors requires direct sunlight, natural soil or pre-made commercial soil and moist ground conditions. Cultivating the plant indoors is more complex and expensive than it would be if the plants were grown outside. The indoor environment must be perfectly controlled in order for the plant to grow. Depending on the growth option and the plant type it could take anywhere from 2 months to 6 months or even longer to grow a marijuana plant from a seedling to a point where it is ready to be harvested. (How to Grow Marijuana.com 2013). Plants that are grown indoors can in most cases be harvested in as little as 2-3 months whereas plants that are grown outside generally take longer to grow because the growing environment lacks the total control that is available in an indoor environment. Growing marijuana is illegal in all but 17 states and those 17 only allows its growth for medicinal purposes. Legalizing marijuana has the potential to open up unlimited entrepreneurial and corporate possibilities that will have a positive effect on every major aspect of the United States economy. Marijuana, commonly known as cannabis is America’s most popular black market drug. This drug brings America millions of dollars into the market without it being legal. Legalizing marijuana will end up in a gain for the United States in many ways. Harvard economist Jeffery Miron suggested that if marijuana was legalized it would save America 7.7 billion annually by not having to enforce the current prohibition on the drug. The report added that legalization would save an additional 6 billion per year if marijuana is taxed at rates similar to tobacco and alcohol. That is an estimated 13.7 billion by just legalizing marijuana. Marijuana has recently become legal in states such as Colorado and Washington. It is estimated that Washington gains 50 million in the tax revenue off of the legalization of marijuana; 60 million saved by Colorado’s pot legalization in combined savings and additional tax revenue. Nearly 800,000 Americans were arrested on marijuana charges in 2011 and many are still doing time. Marijuana is a misdemeanor unless you are caught with an ounce. In 2011 12.7% of States prisoners and 12.4% of federal inmates incarcerated for drug violations are serving for marijuana offenses. The 12.7% of the state’s inmates is an estimated 33.655 people locked down for marijuana. The 12.4% in the federal prison is an estimated 10,785 inmates behind bars for marijuana. Expenditures reveals that taxpayers are spreading more than 11 billion dollars annually to imprison pot offenders. Bringing marijuana out of the underground and making it legal will definitely boost the nation’s economy because millions of dollars will be contributed to the tax base. All areas of government city, county, state, and federal will benefit from the excess revenue that will not be spent on prosecuting individuals that use or traffic marijuana. Incidentally, the legalization of marijuana will improve the security of many of the nation’s cities that have been negatively affected by the underground sale of the substance. As long as marijuana remains an illegal substance any profits that are made by its sale will continue to fund the many criminal enterprises that exist throughout this country. Those funds will also be used to subsidize the many illegal activities that are attributed to the sale and usage of all illegal drugs. By legalizing marijuana, the government will take away the power that street gangs, drug dealers, and drug cartels have that allows them to continue to wreak havoc on the U.S. cities and society as a whole. Cannabis or Marijuana as it is commonly called has been considered a valuable aid in the treatment of a wide variety of health issues. According to NORML (2013) “Recent research on the medical use of marijuana has concluded that the overwhelmingly majority of modern research directly conflicts with the government’s stance that marijuana is a highly dangerous substance worthy of absolute criminalization”. As earlier stated, marijuana has been being used for medical purposes for thousands of years and it has been used as treatment for a variety of illnesses and aliments which is inclusive of several gastro intestinal disorders, headaches, insomnia, spasms, nausea and it also aids in reducing interlobular pressure inside the eye. Very few herbs offer as wide of a variety of therapeutic uses as marijuana. Patients suffering with AIDS, cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and chronic pain have experienced relief from pain and symptoms of the illnesses while using marijuana along with their prescribed treatment for the disease or illness. There has also been testimonies from opiate users that report an easing of additional cravings which help in the treatment and rehabilitation of individuals using heroin. (Disabled World 2013). While the positive effects of marijuana usage can be seen medically, there are also negative effects to consider when using marijuana. In many instances the negative effects are due to the illicit nature of the drug. Marijuana is an illegal substance and any person caught growing, selling, buying, or smoking it will have charges brought against them. Since it is illegal, there are no FDA guidelines for the safety of the drug or how it is processed; therefore, users will never know exactly what active compounds are in the marijuana that they are using. Furthermore, marijuana has the potential to cause serious health problems. According to the National Association of Drug Abuse (2011), there are multiple bad effects of smoking marijuana. NIDA reports that numerous studies have shown that marijuana smoke has the potential to cause cancer; the smoke contains carcinogens, which are substances known to induce the disease. During research, it was also discovered that the way in which people inhale and hold marijuana smoke can contribute to the increased risk of health problems associated with smoking. Along with the threat of cancer, NIDA believes that marijuana smoke acts as an irritant to the lung tissue, which can cause a cough and an increased production of mucus. The irritants may also prevent the lungs from clearing infectious agents, increasing the frequency of lung infections (Live Strong, 2013). According to the National Research Council studies have shown that marijuana usage inhibits aggressive and violent behavior. However, if it is used over the long term then it tend to alter the nervous system in a way that promotes violence. (The Heritage Foundation 2013). There are also many physical changes that the body undertakes when marijuana is used. For instance, marijuana affects brain function, heart rate, blood pressure, lung function as well as reproductive function. (Healthy Place 2000-2012). Generally these altered affect only last for the short term; however, continued long term use can cause long term affects.

No matter which side is chosen, there will be many opinions and reasons as to why marijuana should or should not be legalized. When looking at the big picture concerning the decision to make marijuana illegal, consideration must be given to the fact that there was no fancy medical board that came together to present any scientific or medical research or experiments that proved that marijuana was harmful and therefore should be illegal. (gaveloneline.com 2013). In reality, factors such as sensationalistic journalism, racism, and large industries such as the timber and tobacco industries were of greater influence to make marijuana illegal than any medical or scientific research that was available during that time. The cultivation of marijuana is a profitable business. The fact that millions of Americans purchase and use marijuana on a regular basis solidifies that statement. Therefore, knowing that millions of people in this country are going to continue to purchase and use marijuana, it is not a fiscally responsible decision to have billions of U.S. dollars going to other countries. In many cases, the money that leaves this country ends up in the hands of drug cartels that undermine federal, state, and local laws in many cities across this country. The use of this drug does have some negative effects which can include certain health issues as well as the chance of becoming addicted. However, there are other legal drugs that have negative effects and can also lead to addition as well. For example, cigarettes and alcohol are both known to contribute too many serious diseases that plague this nation and the positive effects for their usage are minimal if at all but they are still legal to use. This country’s legal system has become overburdened because of the many crimes that are being committed. Many of those crimes are drug related and are costing millions of dollars to prosecute. This adds stress to a system that is already backlogged and bogged down. Many of the resources that are used to prosecute marijuana users could be redirected if legalization were to take place. The effect that this would have on the legal system would be monumental. It would relieve prison overcrowding, free up law enforcement agencies to pursue other criminal offences, as well as relieve some of the financial burden that falls on tax payers. The legalization of marijuana is a hot button issue that will divide this country for years to come. According to the latest statistics there has been a shift in the nation’s conciseness. More Americans are in favor of making marijuana legal. (gavelonline.com2013). It is for that reason that law makers should carefully examine all of the facts in order to reach a conclusion as to whether the legalization process will translate into positive gains that will be beneficial to the country as a whole rather than leaving the decisions pertaining to the legalization process to each individual state.

References Ask.com (2012). Retrieved from http:// www.ask.healthline.com/galecontent/marijuana?0=2800&qsrc=999 Disabled World (2010-2013). Retrieved from http://www.disabled-world.com/medical/pharmaceutical/marijuana Gravel Online (2012). Retrieved from http:// www.bcgravel.com/2012/11/27/opinion-15-reasons-why-marijuana-should-be-legal/ Healthy Place (2000-2012). Retrieved from http:// www.healthyplace.com/additions/marijuana-addiction/how-marijuana-affects-the-body-and-brain The Heritage Foundation (2009-2010). Retrieved from http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2010/09/legalization-marijuana-why-citizens-should-just-say-no How to Grow Marijuana (2013). Retrieved from http:// www.howtogrowmarijuana.com Live Strong (2013). Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/87790-bad-effects-smoking-weed/

NORML (2013). Retrieved from http:// www.norml.org Narconon International (2013). Retrieved from http:// www.narconon.org/history/marijuana