Legalizing Marijuana Legalization

Marijuana legalization has been a debatable topic for centuries. Marijuana was founded in China in 2737 B.C. where it was used as a medical treatment for diseases such as Malaria, rheumatism, and absent-mindedness (“State Marijuana Laws Map”). After the discovery that it could be used recreationally in 1000 B.C. India, marijuana soared past the borders of different countries and traveled around the world. Marijuana was first brought into America in 1545 by Spaniards and spread throughout the entire country within 66 years. It was in 1611 that marijuana became a major commercial crop for the south, until it eventually got replaced by cotton. Marijuana was deemed for mainstream recreational use in the U.S. starting at the beginning of the 20th

It was deemed illegal after people began figuring out the physical and mental health risks of using the substance for medical or recreational use (WebMD). Although marijuana has been illegal for more than two decades, many states are create laws to legalize it once again. Twenty seven states in the U.S. have no legalization laws at all, but nineteen states have legalized it for medical use, and four states including Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska have legalized it for recreational use once again ("State Marijuana Laws Map"). A poll was taken in the U.S. to find out how many people were for marijuana versus against it. The results came out that 55% of americans are for legalizing marijuana and 45% of americans want to keep it illegal

Although legalizing marijuana could increase jobs in the smoking industry, it could get people who work jobs involving kids and dangerous equipment fired. Statistics show people who tested positive for marijuana had a 55% more industrial accidents and 85% more injuries. It is also shown that people who smoke marijuana are less educated due to the harmful effects it has on your brain. Not only does it cause you damage to your brain, it has been discovered that people who smoke marijuana are more likely to have unplanned pregnancies ("Marijuana Legalization Costs Outweigh Its Benefits"). Also in Colorado (where marijuana has already been legalized for recreational use), there has been a 57% increase of emergency room visits connected to marijuana ("7 Harmful Side Effects Pot Legalization Has Caused in