Argumentative Essay On Marijuana

Marijuana: The Blunt Truth

Marijuana has many names; pot, weed, Mary Jane, herb, kush, green, dope and many more. As the third most used recreational drug in the United States, behind alcohol and tobacco, marijuana has become a big deal in the United States (Winstock). The use of marijuana is a highly controversial topic throughout the country, but it hasn’t always been. Prior to the 1930s, cannabis was used in daily lives, but not for the reason it is now. Today, politicians and citizens alike go back and forth looking at consequences and benefits to the illicit drug, trying to decide whether or not it should become legal in the United States. A lot of support comes from those that use the drug, as well as those that recognize its benefits. The use of cannabis

The United States spends around $7.7 billion to enforce marijuana laws (The Union). This includes money funneled into federal drug agencies, funding of local narcotics units and maintaining the prisons that house the many people convicted for marijuana. In 2011, 1.5 million people in the U.S. were arrested for marijuana possession or use. This number exceeds the total arrests for violent crimes that year (Wegman). The government is so determined on arresting people for marijuana, unrealistic sentences are given for minimal offenses. In 2010 Patricia Spottedcrow was sentenced to 12 years in prison for selling $31 worth of marijuana to an undercover officer, and possessing an illegal substance in the presence of a minor (The Culture High). After a huge petition and grassroots movement, Patritia was released on parole after only 2 year behind bars. TRANSITION By legalizing marijuana, the government could save the billions of dollars that are put into enforcing marijuana laws and put that money into something more useful such as education, like the state of Colorado is