...Amanda Steuer May 6, 14 Consequences of Legalizing Recreational Marijuana and Hemp Throughout the US Colorado is expected to bring in $185 million in revenue from taxing recreational marijuana sales. This money will be used to fund substance abuse support, law enforcement support, education support and funds to what they call “statewide coordination.” Recreational marijuana alone however, cannot get our federal government out of the hole that it is in now. Even if the revenue was about $100 million from ever state that has recreation cannabis, and if all states had legal recreational cannabis, it would still not even get close to how much money the government needs to generate. The problem with that is that once the government legalizes marijuana recreationally everywhere, it will create a black market due to people not wanting to be charged such outrageous prices and taxed so intensely. If certain states make marijuana recreationally legal, that would be for the best in my opinion. The US government wouldn’t really benefit from that amount of money even if all the states were legal, there was no black market and everyone was making a lot of money. According to an article in Forbes about a report made on the inefficiencies of legalized cannabis, Colorado won’t even make half of what they were estimating to make. The article explains how right now the cost of growing is around four hundred dollars per pound of cannabis. This price would have to increase to eleven hundred...
Words: 502 - Pages: 3
...Student’s Name Instructor’s Name Class Date What do you think would be the consequences of the legalization of marijuana? The legalization of marijuana has been a hotly contested topic in the US and other countries for a long time. This is because many people disagree on the effects it will have on communities and the country in general. Some people argue that it may encourage abuse and thus result in promotion of negative aspects. Some people argue that legalizing it would increase its impact on teens because fo corporations marketing to them (Bodkin). A significant number of citizens argue that legalizing marijuana would reduce its criminal impact. Many scholars and members of the public argue that legalization of marijuana is beneficial for the community because of the increased revenue from taxation. This is based on the increased usage of the drug for recreational and medical purposes because of legalization. Marijuana is consumed by a lot of people for different purposes and legalizing it will provide a way for the government to benefit from the market. Currently, the market is highly regulated and sale of marijuana is not taxed resulting in lost revenue (Nitti). Legalizing it will provide a way for states to benefit from this large market and improve service delivery from the revenue. The debate on the effect of marijuana legalization on the level of drug abuse in the US does not hold much. This is because legalization will include introduction of regulations...
Words: 325 - Pages: 2
...Huffington Post | By Matt Ferner Cons of Legalizing Marijuana One of the most commonly cited negative consequences of legalizing marijuana is the physical risks of the drug, both to those using it and to bystanders. Research has shown that marijuana can increase the likelihood of schizophrenia, mainly if the individual started smoking before the age of 18. There are also the health risks associated with smoking, including second-hand smoke for non-consumers, and the probability that driving under the influence of marijuana would be more common. It may also contribute to IQ declines when used by teens, according to a recent study. Although legalization measures include age restrictions, like alcohol and tobacco, legalizing marijuana would make it considerably easier for children to get hold of. This is an obvious consequence of the increased and open availability of the substance, and the fact that marijuana is especially dangerous for adolescents makes this a much more serious consequence. Some individuals also believe that it’s morally wrong to consume marijuana. The fact that people who take drugs are more likely to commit related crimes (such as theft to fund habit) also means that legalizing the drug could potentially lead to more criminals being out on the street. Drug use is another reason police can use to take law-breakers off the streets. There is also a slippery slope argument, which states that the legalization of marijuana would eventually lead to the legalization...
Words: 670 - Pages: 3
...Thesis: Legalizing marijuana simply digs a deeper hole in the fight against harmful intoxicants. Summary: The legalization of marijuana would have no benefits. To the contrary, doing so would simply add to the list of readily accessible and potentially addictive substances that can lead to irresponsible behavior and poor health. Given the widespread problems associated with addictive substances such as alcohol and tobacco, why should laws be altered to add another substance to this list? The fact that so many people break laws prohibiting marijuana use does not mean that these laws should be repealed. Introduction One function of government is to protect citizens from harm, whether it is from foreign enemies or from internal causes such as poisonous food or contaminated water. Similarly, the ban on marijuana protects citizens from the dangers of drug consumption, as well as potentially destructive behaviors associated with marijuana use. With the possible exception of limited benefits in treating some diseases under a physician's direction, there are no advantages to the use of intoxicants such as marijuana or more potent drugs, including cocaine and heroin. This is not to say that individuals do not experience some momentary pleasure in consuming drugs-often at tremendous social costs. However, drug use can also wreak havoc on an individual's ability to experience all of the facets of life-from facing and overcoming challenges to enjoying times of great joy to relishing...
Words: 1239 - Pages: 5
...Legalizing Marijuana There are many reasons to use marijuana and there are just as many reasons to not use marijuana. The usage of marijuana can be both helpful and harmful. Now the general populace will go pro legalizing marijuana. However little does society know that as soon as marijuana is legalized it will be taxable and eventually will become like alcohol and similar products. Similar to alcohol it will eventually become legal and with many amenities in the sense it will come with conditions. So in terms of legalizing marijuana it will be beneficial to society due to the fact it will become taxable, it will come with conditions, and that the war on illegal drugs will be one drug less. There consist many conditions that come with formerly illegal inhibitors. For example alcohol was an illegal substance and the way it was abused when it was outlawed drastically changed from the way it is abused now. To elaborate now that alcohol is legal, there are conditions such as the drinking age and the tax that comes with purchasing it. As such many individuals in society drink themselves to poverty. The same predicament can occur with marijuana which will obviously lessen its usage. Another factor is that with it becoming a government regulated substance majority of society will be shackled to the government by more than a medical marijuana card, which addicts tend to use to abuse the marijuana supplied. “Already earning California about $14 billion a year, it has been estimated...
Words: 885 - Pages: 4
...The legalization of marijuana, whether for recreational or medical uses, is a controversial topic making headlines all over the media. It is an issue both the state and federal governments are facing and being forced to make decisions on. What’s important to understand is legalizing marijuana will affect each and every one of whether we choose to use consume it or not. Legalizing marijuana could not only harm the intended user, but consequences of such an action could also negatively affect society as a whole. Usage of Marijuana upon Legalization Understanding how legalization affects the usage of marijuana has been recently able to be studied after Colorado’s legislature changes in 2010 and again in 2012. In 2010 Colorado passed legislation that “included the licensing of medical marijuana centers, cultivation operations and manufacturing of marijuana edibles for medical purposes” ("The Legalizaion of Marijuana in Colorado," 2013). In 2012, Colorado voters proceeded to take legislation a step farther and legalize recreational marijuana. As expected, adult usage increased as restrictions were removed. One of the most shocking figures is from a report created by the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (RMHIDTA). This report shows the increase in percentage of youth that use marijuana in an area that has legalized marijuana. In Colorado, during the time frame between 2007 and 2009 an average of 5.6 students tested positive for marijuana. During the time...
Words: 862 - Pages: 4
...The use, sale and cultivation of cannabis/marijuana are prohibited in Australia and all other countries that have signed the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. The prohibition of the drug is justified on the grounds that drug use presents a serious danger to health. Despite the prohibition of the drug, cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Australia. The question of whether it should remain illegal or become legalized remains open for discussion. Hence, this report explores the advantages and disadvantages of cannabis use throughout society, through the following messages; the alternative use for medicinal purposes, the negative affects the drug has on the individual, and their possible harm to community concluding with the...
Words: 1043 - Pages: 5
...Running head: LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA 1 Legalization of Marijuana Communications and Thought 1 February 23, 2015 LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA 2 Abstract The debate surrounding the legalization of marijuana has been raging decades. The debate is centered on the issues of health, addiction and economics. Arguments and claims supporting the legislation are countered by contrary arguments and claims. Scientific claims from one side are disputed by scientific claims from the other. The tug-of-war is beginning to show signs of a clear winner. Time has brought about changes in the thinking and behavior of a large segment of our population. Marijuana usage is now considered acceptable behavior by a clear majority of Americans. Social mores have changed and the use of marijuana is commonplace. We have reached the point in the debate where the trend is leaning toward legislation. LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA 3 Legalization of Marijuana Introduction There is an ongoing national debate about the legalization of marijuana. According to a 2013 Gallup poll, a clear majority of Americans (58%) favor legalization. The age group most likely to support legalization is young adults from the age of 18 to 29 years. Surprisingly, the majority of the 30 to 64 years age group also favors legalization. The opposition to legalizing marijuana comes mostly from Americans 65 and older. Changing social...
Words: 1491 - Pages: 6
...Why Marijuana Should Be Legalized Most people believe that drugs such as marijuana, molly and cocaine should be illegal. They say that these drugs are dangerous and that people should not use them. However, we have to keep in mind that people have every right to do what they want to their own body. Of course, by people it is inferred that we mean adults. Children cannot be permitted to use drugs because they lack the ability to fully understand the consequences of drug use. Adults have the capacity to understand the consequences for their actions. It is not illegal to make mistakes or have poor self-regard. If a mentally competent adult wants to use drugs he or she has every right to do so. In the article from the USA Today, “Don’t legalize pot just for the high of it,” the author makes a bold stand against the legalization of marijuana. The article states that it is to high risk to legalize marijuana and should remain illegal. “Modern marijuana can be very powerful, potent enough to make it dangerous to drive or operate other machinery under the influence (Editorial, 2012)”. Last time I checked driving under the influence of any kind of drug poses a risk. People drive while under the influence of prescription medications all of the time. The article states that marijuana is very potent. Legalizing marijuana would provide a higher level of regulation of the farming of the product. The government will have control over its potency. Because the government is regulating it the...
Words: 656 - Pages: 3
...The Great Marijuana Debate Cory Williamson Keri Keith University Composition and Communication 2 May 08, 2014 The Great Marijuana Debate A question that has been asked over decades is “What should the US do about marijuana?” Recently Colorado voted for the legalization of recreational marijuana, and according to the New York Times article by Rick Lyman (2-26-14), the state is bringing in more money than expected. There are Arguments for and against the legalization of marijuana. Some of the arguments for legalization are the medical benefits, high taxation dollars, and the creation of new jobs. Those who oppose the legalization of marijuana cite a higher crime rate, consequences of smoking to both the user and the family, and more people becoming addicted. The medical advantages of marijuana are well documented, but many people prefer to keep it illegal; however, economic possibilities compared to criminal consequences show the benefits of legalization. “Something that cannot be argued is the stimulation that selling and taxing marijuana would provide to both the state and national economies,” according to Rick Lyman. Colorado governor John Hickenlooper, in a CNN.com interview with Evan Perez (2-17-14), said that marijuana shops opened in Colorado and the revenue from sales alone was over one million dollars. Colorado also has a 12.9 percent tax rate statewide on regulated recreational marijuana. Using those statistics, the predicted sales and tax...
Words: 1462 - Pages: 6
...The debate over the legalization of marijuana has done its rounds through the federal legislature for decades. Two years after Colorado and Washington State became the first states to legalize the sale of marijuana, the conflict rears its head yet again in the national debate. The anti-drug coalition has had its time in the limelight, as it now seems that the pro-legalization groups have achieved success in the past few years. America is known for being the “land of freedom”; therefore, granting the right to legally possess and use marijuana advocates the freedom that America is so well known for. However, with so much room for abuse, this “right” is more of a test on how well the nation’s residents can control themselves. Along with the legalization of marijuana use, guidelines and punishments must be heightened to remind Americans that actions always come with consequences....
Words: 662 - Pages: 3
...Side of Marijuana The legalization of marijuana has been a large topic for debate in America for the last several years. With Colorado and now Washington passing laws decriminalizing marijuana use, should the rest of America follow in their steps? Despite what proponents of legalization believe, marijuana has clear negative effects on user's lives. Marijuana is addictive, unhealthy, and a catalyst for violence. "Drugs like marijuana and cocaine are not dangerous because they are illegal; they are illegal because they are dangerous."(Joseph Califano). Legalizing marijuana would have more negative effects than positive for everyone in America. One of the main arguments for why we should legalize marijuana is how it isn't physically addictive, and therefore not dangerous to the daily lives of adult users. However just because marijuana is not physically addictive do not mean people can't become mentally addicted and exhibit withdrawal symptoms similar to those of physical addictions. Research suggests that about nine percent of users become addicted to marijuana. "Long-term marijuana users trying to quit report withdrawal symptoms including irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and drug craving, all of which can make it difficult to abstain."(National Institute on Drug Abuse). Another misconception about marijuana is that it doesn't negatively impact the users life, so who cares if you become addicted right? Well research has shown that heavy marijuana users...
Words: 1219 - Pages: 5
...How Marijuana Legalization Would Effect the Economy Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................................................... Page 3 Economic Growth …..................................................................................... Page 3 Policing Efforts …......................................................................................... Page 4 Illegal Immigrants …..................................................................................... Page 6 Tax Revenue …............................................................................................. Page 6 Conclusion …................................................................................................ Page 7 Bibliography …............................................................................................. Page 9 Introduction Marijuana is known to be the most used illegal drug in the world, with 17.4 million past-month users in 2010 (National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2010). The topic of legalizing marijuana is one for the masses, because almost everyone has an opinion on it, or at least something to say about it. The debate about whether to legalize marijuana has been going on for quite some time, but in the last could years, people have been beginning to understand the effects it could have on our economy in a positive way. The debate that many people bring to the table is one more related to the criminal...
Words: 2157 - Pages: 9
...Legalization of Marijuana Marijuana has been debated for decades all over the world, and it still unsure what is the best option for the people, either make it legal or keep it illegal like in almost all the countries. But here I am going to explain and show you some facts of each side of the coin. For the pro side there are many aspects that show how legalizing the marijuana can bring more benefits than keep it illegal; for example, there is evidence that show how marijuana helps some illness which means is good for medical use, there is also a fact that combating the Marijuana the governments spend tons of money, and also comparing the effects and causes of marijuana to the effects and causes of alcohol and tobacco makes thoughts easier to see legalization of marijuana makes the things better; On the other hand, looking to the other side of the coin, we got this drug which causes bad things in our bodies, it has immediate bad effects right after using it, it has also long-term effects, it seems also as a gateway drug in our society. The positive side of legalize the Marijuana. It has proved that Marijuana can be used as a treatment for many illness and bad symptoms of illness; for example, for those people who has Cancer Chemotherapy treatment and causes extreme nauseas and vomiting to them, Marijuana reduces those extreme symptoms, and it also alleviates pretreatment anxiety. For those people which because of their sickness had low appetite, and loss of muscle mass, Marijuana improves...
Words: 1155 - Pages: 5
...According to “Marijuana: The Facts,” www.usdoj.gov, 2001. Mary and E. Williams reported in her article “Marijuana Is Harmful” she states that marijuana is harmful and addicting, the drug also has many short and long term effects like memory loss, anxiety weakened immune system and an increased risk of cancer respiratory diseases, and heart problems. Marijuana smokers are also more likely to do other illegal drugs. Smoking marijuana can also add to already serious ailments and is not recommended for medical reasons. The underlying problem with the fight to legalize marijuana is that it will lead to legalizing other illegal drugs. (Williams, 2003, para.1) Clarence Page states in the article “The Harmful Effects of Marijuana Use Are Exaggerated.” that marijuana is not any more dangerous than tobacco, alcohol or prescription drugs. He also argues that Marijuana safer than some of these other drugs because no one has ever died from a marijuana overdose. He also asserts that it helps relieve pain and nausea so doctors should be able to prescribe it. Clarence Page also believes that legalizing marijuana would help put an end to violent street gangs. (Page, 2005, para.1) According to “Marijuana Is Harmful” From 1993 to 2000, emergency rooms have seen triple the number of cases involving marijuana. Another thing to think about when discussing the topic of marijuana is that one hour after smoking it can increase the chance of a heart attack by five times. Clarence Page argues...
Words: 1456 - Pages: 6
