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Marijuana Legalization:
Why Marijuana Should be Legalized in All Fifty States

English 102
Final Paper

Table of Contents

I. Introduction …………………………………………………………………………… 1

II. Is Marijuana a “Gateway Drug?” ……………………………………………………... 2

III. Arguments against Legalization ………………………………………………………. 3

VI. Recent Legalization Efforts …………………………………………………………… 4

V. Medicinal Uses of Marijuana …………………………………………………………. 5
VI. Economic Arguments Against Criminalization ………………………………………. 7
VII. Marijuana Cultivation and DTO ……………………………………………………... 8
VIII. From Decriminalization to Legalization …………………………………………… 8
IX. Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………… 10

Marijuana Legalization:
Why Marijuana Should be Legalized in All Fifty States
I. Introduction
The issue of marijuana legalization in the United States is a charged one that brings forth supporters and opponents arguments alike. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Uniform Crime Reports, one marijuana-related arrest occurs every forty-two seconds in the United States. The government conducted over 1.53 million drug-related arrests in 2011, 90% for possession alone, and nearly 50% due to marijuana (FBI Uniform Crime Report). State governments are currently responding to shifts in public opinion, especially given the recent legalizations that passed in Colorado and Washington. According to Gallup Polls, more Americans supported the legalization of marijuana than not in 2011 (50% vs. 46%). (Gallup). Despite this recent legalization development, state governments have had to justify their policies and legislations towards marijuana legalization given supporters economic, medicinal, criminal, legal and constitutional rights cases. For every case made in favor of legalization based on these factors, opponents, legislators, and law enforcement agencies, such as the Drug Enforcement

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