The Benefits of Legalizing Marijuana There has always been conflict when it comes to marijuana, whether its medicinal or recreational, it has always been criticized by people. Since marijuana was made a schedule 1 under the Controlled Substances Act it has made it almost impossible to research. So we are just now learning all of the benefits that can come from marijuana. It has helped “people suffering from a variety of ailments ranging from glaucoma to social anxiety.” (Time.com)There are several other ailments that it helps with, but without further research we won’t know how much more it can do. Colorado is a good example of the economic benefits of legalization. Marijuana was first legalized in California in 1996, because Californian voters approved proposition 215. This made marijuana legal, but only for medicinal use. Since then 22 other states, including Guam and the District of Columbia have joined California. Legalizing marijuana for medical use has helped a lot of people with several different kinds of health issues. Along with glaucoma and social anxiety marijuana has helped people suffering from seizures, Parkinson’s, cancer, nausea, pain, and PTSD, just to name a few. Discoveries are still being made as marijuana is researched so who knows what other …show more content…
My grandfather is a retired police officer, and is so against marijuana he said he would move out of the state he is in if they legalize it. Even he would have to admit that there are some benefits from its legalization. Colorado is the best example of the impact it has had economically, since marijuana has been legalized there. Regulating marijuana has basically redirected where the money goes for their state. Instead of spending money on putting people in jail for distributing or using marijuana it has helped them gain revenue. That money can be used to improve roads, buildings, or other areas that need attention.
To add, recreational marijuana is taxable! Therefore, it is money that can be put into our communities. Recreational marijuana as intimidating as some may think, can actually benefit our community in many ways. To begin, many believe legalizing marijuana would cause crime to increase, on the contrary legalizing it will lead to a decrease of crime. Imagine that getting your hands on marijuana was as accessible as cigarettes in a gas station, how many illegal cigarette dealers have been punished in jail with the maximum sentence for selling cigarettes?
But the financial benefits of legalization go beyond taxing the sale of marijuana and keeping drug money out of the hands of criminals. All across the nation, wherever the drug is illegal, state and local governments spend enormous sums of money on the enforcement of marijuana laws, the prosecution of offenders, and incarceration of the convicted. The Wall Street Journal estimates that the American taxpayer spends $40 billion per year on the administrative costs associated with the criminalization of marijuana (Becker). On the state level, we can again look to the example of Colorado. Conservative estimates by the Colorado Center on Law and Policy show that legalization will save the state $40 million per year by no longer administering marijuana laws (Drug Policy Alliance).
The states that have legalized marijuana have seen many benefits due to the increased cash inflow that has contributed too many things
Legalization of Marijuana The benefits from the legalization of marijuana could benefit consumers, owners of dispensaries, and the government. Advocates of medical marijuana believe it should be covered like any other drug. Marijuana could help people get what they need at a cheaper price because a joint may only cost you $2 or $3. As far as paying for it, it could take the price of other medications that group benefits would pay for (Paterson 3-4).
It can reduce pain and nausea, and also is being researched to treat many other medical conditions. For example it is being tested to treat some forms of cancer and even reduce tumors. In the near future the, “Testing of cannabis [medicinal marijuana] and its derivatives has also begun on type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke, Tourette syndrome, epilepsy, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia (Seppa)”. Whether it will work in treating these medical conditions or not, medicinal marijuana has come a long ways since it was first introduced as a possible powerful
Since marijuana was legalized there have been dramatic results. States that allow the use of marijuana have increased the public’s awareness of the drug’s effects. After an increase in public awarness, many people are setting the drug aside due to long-term effects. If other drugs were made legal in the United States and their long-term and short-term effects were taught, it is very likely that there would be a decrease in their use. People are less inclined to get hooked onto drugs when they realize it could kill them.
At Harvard Medical School a group of researchers noticed that people with anxiety who smoke marijuana has benefits that may be from reduced anxiety. A chemical found in marijuana CBD (cannabidiol) may prevent cancer from spreading. CBD turns off the gene Id-1, during a study they found there were high amounts of Id-1 found in breast cancer after being treated with cannabidiol the amount of Id-1 decreased. Marijuana can also treat people with glaucoma, glaucoma creates pressure in the eyeball but when smoking marijuana it starts releasing the pressure in the eye (Business
But, did you know that all of these issues can be fixed if marijuana was legalized in all 50 states? Although many people think that marijuana is a horrible drug, there any many benefits that we as American’s can receive from marijuana. Whether it be from taking the drug yourself, or just supporting it in general. First of all, marijuana has been proven in many, many different medical lab studies to help those who suffer from cancer, seizures, everyday pain, and even anxiety. There are different forms of marijuana and also many different ways that the drug can be used, from smoking to an oil.
The first month that Colorado’s legalization policy took effect they raised “$2 million in taxes related to the sale of recreational marijuana” (Phillips). Colorado used the first forty million dollars of this tax revenue for school construction immediately benefitting the Colorado community. Legalization of marijuana would also create an entirely new industry in the United States creating jobs a healthier economy. Marijuana benefits the economy at such a large rate that “500 economists signed a petition urging a renewed debate on the benefits of legalizing the possession of marijuana” (Newton). This proves that marijuana legalization would provide a variety of benefits for all Americans, cannabis consumer or
For twenty years, medical cannabis has been providing relief to people all over as the government and most other states have been slowly recognizing the health benefits of marijuana. Now, states are finally moving forward towards legalization, some politicians are thinking about making changes to the federal law. Public opinion has changed in favor of legalization for medical purposes and recreational purposes. The United States government could save up to $14 billion per year by legalizing cannabis. Prisons around America spend about $1 billion on marijuana related incidents.
Legalized Recreational Marijuana Benefits to Society and the Legal System A legalized and regulated market for marijuana would reduce illegal sales of drugs as well as reduce the exposure to more illicit drugs such as heroin, meth, crack, cocaine, and many others by default. Because marijuana is illegal it makes it more valuable than it would be if it was legalized; it provides people the opportunity to make fast cash that could just as well be poured back into our economy if it were properly controlled and taxed similar to
If marijuana is regulated and taxed properly, it can generate millions of dollars that can help pay the debt of the US and/or help cities rebuild a better infrastructure. Marijuana has become the third most popular drug in the US behind alcohol and tobacco. It is a renewable resource and is not just used for smoking; it can be used to make paper, oils, and cloth. Every year millions of tax dollars are being spent to enforce marijuana laws. If these laws were repealed and marijuana was legalized, we would not only make money from the marijuana, but we would also be using a lot less money to enforce marijuana laws.
These are just a few of the reasons why legalizing Marijuana would benefit the Government and the people. Money & Profits The economic benefits of legalizing Marijuana are great. It has made big impacts on Tax Revenue and Jobs. In 2015, Colorado collected more than $15 million in taxes and fees on medical and recreational Marijuana.
If marijuana, was to be legalized to the public it would help the economy tremendously. Colorado being a test state for the substance, recreational use of the drug has approximately said to bring in an income of 95 million dollars to the state of Colorado in one single year. Taxing of the drug has been planned on being spent towards schools approximately 40 million
The legalization of marijuana has widespread benefits for the medical, law enforcement, and economic sectors. Marijuana has a variety of benefits in the medical field because it can control many side effects from different diseases. For instance, cancer is a deadly disease that kills over seven million people across the world every year. Patients diagnosed with cancer go through several painful treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy. Thankfully, marijuana helps to alleviate pain and suppress nausea from cancer treatments.