In the first 6 months of 2015, Colorado pulled in 60.7 million dollars in marijuana taxes. Some people argue that cannabis should not be legal because it is no better than any other drug. Doctors prescribe Xanax, Oxycontin, Adderall etc. even though they are highly addictive and it is possible to overdose on them. A smoker would theoretically have to consume nearly 1,500 pounds of marijuana within about fifteen minutes to induce a lethal response. Therefore, it would be virtually impossible to overdose on cannabis; this instantly makes marijuana safer than most prescription drugs. Violent crime and property crimes have both decreased in Colorado since the state legalized recreational cannabis. There were 658,000 arrests for marijuana possession in 2012 , and the majority of these arrests were for nonviolent, low-level offenders. All of this time, cost, and effort takes our law enforcement away from enforcing more urgent issues. According to the ACLU, in 2010, the U.S. spent more than $3.6 billion on enforcing cannabis prohibition. It's …show more content…
Furthermore, a recent American study found that treating epilepsy and other seizure disorders with CBD reduced seizures by 54%. Use of THC reduced spasticity in sufferers of multiple sclerosis by 30%. Cannabis may also reduce depression and relieve anxiety. While more research is needed to better determine how cannabis can help treat diseases or symptoms, there's a reason why 24 states so far have legalized medical marijuana. Marijuana use can be used to treat/prevent the eye disease glaucoma. Glaucoma is a disease that increases pressure in the eyeball, damaging the optic nerve and possibly causing complete loss in sight. Marijuana decreases the pressure inside the eye; these effects of the drug may slow the progression of the
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?
This subject has been debated numerous times over the past few years. People’s points of view and researches about the topic have varied greatly. Some people believe that marijuana should be legalized, while the rest feel should stay prohibited. Proponents of marijuana argue that there are numerous medical benefits and that the drug is not more harmful than tobacco or alcohol. On the other hand, opponents argue that marijuana is too dangerous; its legalization would increase the chances of the drug falling into the hands of teens and that marijuana use often progresses to the use of more dangerous drugs like heroin and cocaine.
When most people think of marijuana, expected thoughts typically come to mind: green leaf, relaxation, smoking, creativity, addiction or hash oil. There are most likely a million different things that come to mind when someone hears the word marijuana. Some people love it, and some people hate it. But what some do not know is that Cannabis has changed Colorado for the better ever since Amendment 64 of the legalization of recreational marijuana in 2012 was passed. While 46% of the people voted against legalizing pot, 54% voted for the legalization because of personal health benefits, economic use and it is less dangerous than alcohol and tobacco.
As a nation we have come to point where we must take a unified stand on the issue of marijuana. Since 1937 the drug has been deemed illegal by the U.S. government but over the best decade, people have been pushing for the decriminalization of the cannabis plant. As a non drug user, i have researched the internet in search of unbiased information regarding the drugs health, economic, and crime influences on society. The fruits of my labor have brought me to the undisputable conclusion that our continued restriction on possession and use of the drug not only violates the liberties of U.S. citizens, but it also is costing Americans Billions of dollars, and something, our lives.
Although there is a chance for addiction, medical marijuana should be legalized in all states because it has accumulating health benefits, is administering relief to pain, and is less threatening than most opioids and
Marijuana is easy to cultivate. It is illegal to cultivate a lot at once because even though the state allows it because the federal government never legalized it. In the end, it would greatly help the country and we would
It was also discussed that “burglaries in Denver decreased by 9.5% and overall property crime decreased by 8.2%”. (Marijuana Legalization in Colorado After One Year of Retail Sales and Two Years of Decriminalization (Rep.). (n.d.). Retrieved February 15, 2016, from https://www.drugpolicy.org/sites/default/files/Colorado_Marijuana_Legalization_One_Year_Status_Report.pdf) Within two years of having marijuana being controlled
Marijuana should remain illegal in the United States, and states that have passed laws to make it legal should reverse those laws. Marijuana is addictive and a gateway drug. Legalizing marijuana will make it generally more available to the public, which will also make it more likely to be used by young adults and children that are not old enough to make smart decisions regarding drug
Today the demands are changing in different states. In States such as Colorado and Washington, marijuana has been legalized for recreational use. This move raised several questions as far as decriminalization of marijuana is concerned. Besides portraying the US in a bad light, legalization of marijuana for recreation increases the risk of developing mental problems, increases government expenditure on public health, jeopardizes the future of children, and is a gateway to other dangerous drugs. Increased health problems and public health expenditure-
and in my own opinion, it is very wrong because these drugs can cause death and mental problems. Marijuana causes happiness and hunger, what’s so wrong about that? It can also be used to cure people with Glaucoma, which increases pressure in the eyeball, damaging the optic nerve and causing loss of vision.
In research it has been known to treat Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, ADD, Cancer, Glaucoma, Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Insomnia, Cataracts, Chronic pain, glaucoma, etc. The government has also recently confirmed that marijuana does aid in the treatment of cancer. “Currently only 6% of marijuana studies take a look at the medical benefits of the substance” (Loria). A deeper look should be taken into the depths of the other medical benefits cannabis has to offer. For example: My mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
Why Marijuana Should be Legal Marijuana is a very prominent issue in society today. Many false and slanderous things have been said about marijuana in recent times. But the truth about marijuana continues to reveal itself. Sadly these truths are being criticised because of the stereotypical view that many people call the typical “pot smoker”.
Legalize Marijuana Did you know that you can’t die of an overdose on marijuana? Marijuana should be legalized, because of all the patients that need medical marijuana to fight through the chemo treatment. Marijuana should also be legalized because of the health factors that it can affect for the people that need marijuana. It also should be legalized for the state to tax the substance. Marijuana should be legalized because of the health factors.
Fifty-two percent of all jail arrests in 2010 were linked to marijuana possession (ACLU). All states combined spent approximately 3.6 billion dollars enforcing marijuana possession laws in 2010, according to a new study by the American Civil Liberties Union, entitled “The War On Marijuana In Black and White.” (Huffington Post). Statistics show that over twenty billion dollars will be spent on marijuana law enforcement in the next few years. Additionally, states in America pay at the minimum seven hundred fifty dollars for each arrest involving marijuana.
According to Bernie Sanders, “It is time to tax and regulate marijuana like alcohol. It is time to end the arrest of so many people and the destruction of so many lives for possessing marijuana”. This argument is important because marijuana is considered a "gateway drug," which has not been scientifically proven. Many people have tried marijuana or at least know someone who has attempted to smoke weed. A person most likely does not know as much as they think they know about what it is or the effects.