Why Marijuana Should Be Legalised

Why Marijuana Should Be Legalised

There is no denying that the drug problem in our country today has

reached epidemic proportions. The problem has gotten so out of hand

that many options are being considered to control and/or solve it.

Ending the drug war may not seem to be the best answer at first, but

the so-called "war on drugs" has actually accomplished very little.

Different options need to be considered. Legalization is an option

that hasn't gotten much of a chance, but should be given one. It is my

position that marijuana should be legalized. Although many people feel

that the legalization of marijuana would result in an increase in the

amount of crime and drug abuse, I contend that the opposite is true.

While I admit that there might be an initial increase in use, I feel

that it would gradually wane, and that the crime rate would be reduced

immediately. Furthermore, legalization would reduce the enormous

amount of money spent on enforcement while at the same time increasing

our country's revenue. In 1996 voters in both California and Arizona

approved ballot measures exempting physicians and patients from

criminal prosecution when marijuana is prescribed for medical purposes

in the relief of pain or other symptoms caused by cancer, acquired

immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), glaucoma, arthritis, and other

illnesses and chronic conditions. The Massachusetts and Ohio

legislatures enacted similar medical necessity laws in 1996. However,

the U.S. government, which opposes such exemptions to anti-marijuana

laws, warned physicians in these states that they may lose federally

sanctioned privileges for writing prescriptions for c...

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...mized. The illogical pattern of law enforcement,

which now treats marijuana as more dangerous than alcohol or tobacco,

would end. It would set more achievable goals for law enforcement, and

this would lend strength and credibility to our government.In

conclusion, I can find no legitimate reason for keeping marijuana

illegal. The reasons for legalizing the drug, however, are many.

Legalization would bring both government control and increased tax

revenue. Furthermore, marijuana is less harmful and less addictive

than are other already legal drugs, such as alcohol and tobacco. We

need to face the fact that the war on drugs is a war the United States

is still loosing. The current policies that keep marijuana illegal

must be changed so that the crime element is eliminated, resulting in

a safer and better society for us all