Government Vs Mary Jane

Government Vs Mary Jane

Marijuana is a major topic these days. Many people want to make sure that marijuana stays illegal. Yet, they do not understand the positive influence it could have on our society. The use and distribution of marijuana should be made legal. Marijuana should be legalized for many reasons, some of which include the fact that the use of marijuana is safer than cigarettes and alcohol, the crime rate would be lower, and the economy could benefit from marketing it.

Marijuana use is less harmful and risky than the use of alcohol, tobacco, and many nonprescription drugs. It is the safest (currently) illegal drug. Marijuana is much less addictive than tobacco or alcohol.

Legalization of marijuana would cut down on crime. Because marijuana is illegal, it is difficult to manufacture, and is expensive, so addicts often have to turn to crime to sustain their habit. Legalization would drive the price down and alleviate this problem. Currently, much of the crime that goes on is a result of territory disputes between dealers. Legalization of marijuana would hurt organized crime as a whole. If marijuana were legal, the entire infrastructure of organized crime involved in its manufacturing and distribution would lose any reason for existence because marijuana would be legally produced and sold at a much cheaper price by legitimate companies. Police officers and suspected informants often face retribution by gangs and drug dealers. Legalization of marijuana would simply eliminate the need for dealers and put a stop to all this. Legalization would cut down on corruption in law enforcement, and the government. Officials will no longer be tempted into accepting bribes, and pocketing large amounts of drug money. If the distribution of marijuana was regulated, the government could put a tax on the purchase of marijuana. The money made could be used to fund schools and upkeep of our deteriorating highways

Other reasons to legalize marijuana include the fact that over 700,000 Americans were arrested--almost 90% on mere possession. Billions of tax dollars go to these types of marijuana arrests. That is a substantial amount of money that could be used for other more important drug related issues.

The government has no right to interfere with people's personal freedom as it is currently doing. Smoking marijuana only has the potential to hurt the health of the user.