Bobby D. Jackson
Ms. Woods
English Comp.
12/04/2013

Legalizing Marijuana Will Benefit American Society

It has been called a pain reliever, stress reliever, and a psychiatric reliever – helpful to the health of a human being – so why do some call it harmful? Cannabis is the third most popular recreational drug in America, surpassed only by alcohol and tobacco. Of the top three recreational drugs, Cannabis is the only one that is outlawed, but it plays a tremendous part in the social and financial gain of America. Many states have already supported the more liberal view of legalizing marijuana. California legalized medicinal marijuana in 1996 because of the way marijuana impacts the Autonomic Nervous System, which expands the breath and relaxes the body (http://sundial.csun.edu/2009/11/legalizing-marijuana-can-reduce-crime-increase-revenue-for-state/). Its potential for health and healing is enormous, and its use has been legally adopted by nearly 20 states. "The evidence is overwhelming that marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms caused by such illnesses as multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS and it can do so with remarkable safety. Indeed, marijuana is less toxic than many of the drugs that physicians prescribe every day" (Joycelyn Elders, MD, Former US Surgeon General). Many of the physicians who have adopted marijuana as a form of treatment have done so with substantial positive effects. There are over 600,000 physicians in the United States according to ProCon.org, 54% of which feel marijuana is a “Pro” that can continue to help many, if embraced by others; these physicians are considered to be elite among their peers. The British lung foundation feels otherwise: their theory is 3-4 marijuana cigarettes are equivalent to 20 regular menthol cigarettes and carries out the same damage to your lungs. The immune system is also questioned in the bodies of chronic marijuana smokers. Some experts suggest that marijuana suppresses the cells that produce immunity to certain diseases and infections, but this information has not been medically proven. Government officials have also weighed in on the legalization of marijuana but are still at odds about the effects. Some believe marijuana damages the brain, heart, lungs, memory, and impairs learning. Though the theories and beliefs are not proven, they do pose a variety of concerns and are subject to testing. In addition to medicinal purposes there is also discussion on the financial benefits of legalizing cannabis. California has generated a 14 billion dollar increase in revenue annually since legalizing medicinal marijuana. It is also reported that marijuana is now being called a cash crop, meaning that marijuana generates just as much revenue as corn and wheat, in the United States. Colorado and Washington have also benefited from the taxation of recreational marijuana. Washington has estimated an increase of $1.9 billion in revenue over the course of five years, which is a tremendous economic boost for their state. The dispensaries are creating jobs and the lifting of the sanctions on marijuana is eliminating federal spending for prisoners who have been incarcerated due to marijuana-related charges. It is reported that prisons spend approximately $1 billion per prisoner per year to maintain their incarceration. Many prisons are inundated with individuals who have charges stemming from marijuana distribution – one can imagine what a positive turn the economical state in America could take with that revenue. As with anything, there is always red tape that must be identified and acknowledged, but the draw backs with the financial gain from legalizing marijuana are minimal. One of the few problems legislation is running into is whether to tax marijuana as a regular consumer product or to tax it as they do with alcohol and tobacco, which would vastly increase the revenue intake; however, it could also result in individuals turning to the black market to avoid the tax. If taxed as a consumer product, it would be the same as buying a can of corn from the grocery store and paying the respective sales tax, but if it is taxed as alcohol and tobacco products are, the manufacturer, distributor, and retailer would then be charged additional fees to market and distribute the product. With the additional incurred costs, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers would need to charge an inflated price in order to make a profit. The accrual of the additional fees and taxes would not only affect the trade community, but would also directly affect the consumer. Higher costs by retailers results in higher costs for the consumer. High taxation rates would provide street-level dealers the leverage they need to continue to sell marijuana illegally and maintain a steady client base. This would in turn contradict one of the purposes of legalizing marijuana altogether. Congress has considered several options to monitor the entry of cannabis into the U.S. for better accountability, but the great feat of containing the illegal transport and distribution of marijuana is one of monumental proportion, and the subject is still under consideration.
Even though the government has done what it can to regulate marijuana consumption among the population, marijuana is still obtainable any how anywhere and at any time for those who do engage in it. Recreational use of marijuana has been around for ages but for the majority of the time, recreational marijuana use was in secrecy. Recently, it has become more socially accepted because society leans less towards the conservative and more towards the liberal. Historically, marijuana use has been associated with “losers,” “flunkies,” and under achievers. However, now there are multitudes of highly successful people who use marijuana recreationally because of its positive effects. For many, marijuana induces a state of relaxation, increases libido, and makes social situations more enjoyable. “One's condition on marijuana is always existential. One can feel the importance of each moment and how it is changing one…"(Norman Mailer). The enjoyable effects of marijuana that many people feel, including a higher sense of satisfaction and experience a euphoric feeling, result in a higher desire for the drug, especially in social situations.
Although many may argue that the legalization of marijuana has no place in U.S. society, the many benefits outweigh the drawbacks. From medical to financial to social benefits, legalizing marijuana nationwide would result in an overall improved socioeconomic state, from many standpoints.