Marijuana Legalization

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An incredibly controversial topic over the past decade has been the legalization of marijuana. Everyone has their personal opinion on the issue, and with some states reducing the restrictions against the drug most people have come to the realization that it will become legal in many countries over the next ten to twenty years. There are valid arguments for both sides, but when it comes to it weed should be legalized. Law enforcement could be putting their efforts toward much more important crimes, the plant could be taxed, hemp could be developed into a valuable cash crop, there have been proven medical benefits of marijuana, and prohibition simply does not work.
In 2011 over 750,000 people were arrested on marijuana related charges . That is a huge number which indefinitely took law enforcement away from other crimes, in addition to filling up jails and crowding court systems. Cannabis is less harmful than alcohol and cigarettes (two items which are legal.) It is less addictive and responsible for far fewer deaths each year than either. Weed is proven to be non-toxic to humans and overdose is nearly impossible. The time and money put forth to combat marijuana could be instead used to fight terrorism, sexual abuse, and many more important crimes.

Marijuana affects the human in several different ways. Smoking one joint of marijuana is equivalent to smoking 5 cigarettes in a row. Marijuana affects the sperm structure and the women’s menstrual cycle and also affects cell division and causes hereditary problems. Marijuana causes the respiratory tract to inflate as well as bronchitis. The substances in marijuana are 50% to 70% more likely to cause cancer than those in tobacco. Marijuana is extremely harmful fo...

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...could be taxed, and help those in need of medical care such as cancer patients. Prohibition has been proven several times not to work in the past, so is not the correct strategy in this argument. Marijuana is a versatile and incredibly beneficial crop which should be legalized.

Works Cited

http://justsaynow.firedoglake.com/2012/10/29/over-750000-arrests-for-marijuana-last-year/

http://www.gallup.com/poll/163835/tried-marijuana-little-changed-80s.aspx http://www.in.gov/legislative/senate_democrats/files/blog/Budgetary%20Implications%20of%20Marijuana%20Prohibition-Jeffrey%20Miron.pdf http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/marijuana/the-harmful-effects.html

http://www.collective-evolution.com/2012/04/01/5-ways-hemp-will-change-our-world/

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/healthprofessional/page5
http://www.hempfarm.org/Papers/Hemp_Facts.html

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