Personally, the legalization of marijuana deeply interests me, but this topic is also something that has much criticism and support behind it within the United States today. This issue is seen in the supreme courts and also stands as some 2016 presidential candidates platforms. Upon researching for the ILP's my stand point on the legalization is uniquely the same as it was before. Although some of the sources I used were not scholarly, they provided a good insight to the situation. There are many potential benefits, as well as drawbacks when it comes to the legalization of a drug that has been illegal for so long now. The legalization of recreational marijuana interests me due to my interest in marijuana. I do not believe this drug to cause negative or harmful effects on the body or mind. Personally, I view marijuana as a medicine, as many people do in this world. It is extremely helpful with soothing the body and mind. If this drug were to be deemed as having negative effects, would elite doctors allow their medical patients with serious health issues prescribed medical marijuana or cannabis? Elite doctors have been using medical marijuana as if the pharmaceutical medicines they have been feeding their patients have counteracted their healing processes. 

There are very many stakeholders within this topic, as anyone paying attention to or voting in the 2016 presidential election can be considered a stakeholder. The citizens voting for their next president of these United States all have an opinion on legalization and it will effect the people within this country therefore would be considered stakeholders. I, in this issue, would consider myself a stakeholder as I am a citizen and do plan on voting. This issue would directly affect me personally as I see no negatives associated with marijuana. Within the past few years, legalization of recreational marijuana has become more and more popular as it is deemed to possibly relieve the United States of her hefty national debt. This is one of the main points of every legalization advocate. 

Coming into this project, I did indeed have a strong opinion supporting the legalization of marijuana. To avoid bias and see both sides of the argument clearly in my research and writing I will neutralize my views and opinions posing both sides in my paper. I do not know the statistical analysis and overview of how the states who have legalized recreational marijuana. California, Colorado, and Washington are three states who have passed laws legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. using end of the years statistics from these three states could possibly help someone predict the possible outcomes for the remaining states that are thinking about legalization. 

I hope to get my readers on their feet about their position on legalization. While hoping many readers would be on my side, I would also point out some flaws within the system and legalization. 
