Legalization of Marijuana

There are millions of regular pot smokers in America today. Marijuana is an illegal drug and its long been used in the United States. It can be used for medical purposes such as to help with glaucoma; as well at parties, and just hanging out with friends. The government could make marijuana legal at a certain age, like it does with alcohol. Legalizing marijuana would solve some problems the U.S. is facing. In this paper, I will argue that marijuana should be legal in the United States. Therefore, the government would make a lot of money off of it.

            If marijuana was legal the government would make a lot of money off of it. It would allow the economy to prosper. In his article, “Legalize, tax marijuana to fill budget gap,” Maureen Brown reveals that “tax of 6 percent on the $11 billion U.S. consumers spend on marijuana every year would produce $660 million for the federal government” (Brown).  That is a lot of money America would make. However, if marijuana was legal it could lead to harder drugs.

            One must acknowledge that the aforementioned claim rests on the assumption that if marijuana was legal, it would lead people into harder drugs. In society today marijuana is considered a gateway to other drugs. In his article, “Alcohol: The Gateway to Other Drug Use Among Secondary-School Students,” John W. Welte asserts that “Federal Bureau of Narcotics states marijuana use was first step to heroin addiction”(Welte).  Marijuana is not enough for people; they want to try harder drugs. Therefore, marijuana should be controlled.

            One must acknowledge that the aforementioned assumption is ethical and reasonable because marijuana can be controlled like alcohol and tobacco. The use of marijuana is going to continue, and the government should control it like alcohol. In his article, “Regulating and controlling marijuana: first attempt,” Allen H. Brill proposed that “marijuana should regulate its sale in a manner similar to alcohol” (Brill). Marijuana should be sold at a certain age.  Therefore, marijuana should be legal.

            I stand by my position for marijuana to be legalized. Marijuana being illegal has no validity at all. If the government taxed marijuana, it would make a lot of money off it. Crime rates will go down. Marijuana will help with medical patients who need it or for people with depression. If marijuana is legal, it should be controlled like alcohol. It is long been overdue, but its time the government makes marijuana legal.