While marijuana remains illegal both medically and recreationally at a federal level in the United States, in Colorado it has been medically and recreationally legal for fifteen and three years respectively. The United States has reached a predicament much like that of gay marriage, we can call it somewhat of a domino effect. One state legalizes something that is illegal on a federal level, it works, so other states follow suit. The problem lies in enforcing the federal law. How can something be legal in a state but illegal for the country as a whole, it just does not make sense. Opponents to legalization of recreational marijuana on a federal level claim that marijuana has negative health risks, will destroy the working class, and teens will have even more access due to dispensaries. Despite these claims, marijuana should be legalized by the federal government because marijuana has numerous medical uses, the economy will benefit greatly, and prohibition is doing more harm than good at this point.

Doctors have debated the benefits and risks of medical marijuana across the globe for decades, however the twenty first century is the breaking point. Up until now, doctors were unaware of the long-term health risks associated with using marijuana both recreationally and medically. Within the last five years, doctors that have dismissed marijuana as a legitimate medicine are suddenly changing their minds. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a neurosurgeon and CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent, set off on a journey to work on a documentary entitled "Weed." This documentary covers medical leaders, experts, growers, and patients throughout the world, and by the end of filming, Dr. Gupta had changed his mind on marijuana. In 2009, Dr. Gupta had his article, "Why I would Vote No on Pot", published in TIME Magazine, however skipping ahead to 2013, Dr. Gupta published an article on CNN both apologizing and explaining why he changed his mind. While traveling and recording his findings, Dr. Gupta came across what he believes is a miracle for Charlotte Figi of Colorado, who, "started having seizures soon after birth. By age 3, she was having over 300 a week, despite being on seven different medications. Medical Marijuana has calmed her brain, limiting her seizures to 2 or 3 per month" (Gupta). Dr. Gupta explains that Charlotte is not the only patient that was helped due to medical marijuana and believes that, as a doctor, it is negligent not to provide the best care for his or anyone's patients even if it means using marijuana as treatment. 

Not only does marijuana serve as the only treatment for many epileptics, but it can also serve as alternate medications for much more. In 2000, Peter A. Clark, Ph.D., published an article dealing with government restrictions vs. medical necessity. Peter A. Clark is a Professor of Medical Ethics and Director of the Institute of Clinical Bioethics at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, as well as the author of several books dealing with handicaps and the terminally ill. While this article was published in 2000, Dr. Sanjay Gupta has uncovered that the United States government has had access to unfinished studies of medical marijuana dating back to 1955. With Clark's knowledge of medical marijuana, he explains that, "clinical findings have documented marijuana's efficacy in treating pain, neurological and movement disorders, nausea of patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, loss of appetite and weight due to AIDS, and glaucoma" (Clark 42). Due to Clark's field of study, he attempts to stay unbiased while explaining the effects of marijuana on the human body and follows suit by listing the negative effects of marijuana as, "rapid heartbeat, some loss of coordination, and impaired immediate memory" (Clark 42). While the benefits seem to greatly outweigh the risks, Clark is baffled as to why the DEA refuses to reschedule marijuana from an illegal Schedule I drug. 

As defined on www.dea.gov, "Schedule I drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Schedule I drugs are the most dangerous drugs of all the drug schedules with potentially severe psychological or physical dependence." According to the DEA, marijuana should be classified with heroin, LSD, and ecstasy and is more dangerous than hydrocodone, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Not only this but multiple studies have shown that, "marijuana is not highly addictive, about 10 percent of users become dependent" (Sanders 17). That number is vastly lower than many of the drugs that the DEA classifies as less dangerous. Both President Bush and Obama agree that marijuana laws should be up to the states discretion, however many DEA chiefs remain to intensify efforts to shut down marijuana dispensaries (Kreit). While the FDA is encouraging the DEA to reschedule marijuana, there are a few obstacles along the path of rescheduling a drug. In order for the DEA to reschedule marijuana, or any drug for that matter, "the FDA requires controlled, double-blinded clinical trials" (Clark 42). Unfortunately for marijuana it is an herbal medicine. The problem with herbal medicines and clinical trials is that it not only is it near impossible to put a patent on an herb but the United States government requires that only the minute grant money controlled by the National Institutes of Health be used to fund these clinical trials. Although Clark was discouraged at the lack of effort going into medical marijuana, it has been over fifteen years since his article has been published and vast advancements have been made in the field of medical marijuana. While the DEA has not rescheduled marijuana, medical experts from around the world, as well as 23 states within the United States, have come to an agreement that marijuana has medical benefits, has little to no addictive properties, and is impossible to fatally overdose. 

Although a majority of states have legalized marijuana in some form, the process has been slow and unorganized. Virginia, for example, has recently signed into law that, "allows the use of oils derived from two non-psychoactive ingredients found in marijuana  --  cannabidiol, or CBD, and tetrahydrocannabinol acid, also known as THC-A  --  when used medicinally to fight against severe seizures" (Ferner). For this new law to protect its patients, the patients must receive a written permission from their doctors to obtain and use the oils. While this is a step in the right direction, this law has unfortunately failed to address several issues. This law does not prevent epileptic Virginia citizens from being charged with the possession of marijuana but provides an "affirmative defense" if a citizen was to be charged, however there may be a more prominent issue for epilepsy patients. In the Commonwealth of Virginia it remains illegal to produce, sell, and buy marijuana oil. Not only are patients out of luck if they want to legally purchase the medicinal oil in Virginia, but it is also illegal to transport marijuana oil across Virginia State lines. The only option for epileptics to obtain the medicine they need in Virginia is to turn to the black market. Although the black market is a Virginia patients best bet for now, there are countless risks that could turn a patient off of getting the help they need. Black market marijuana and marijuana oil is untested for both medicinal strains or if the product is laced with a different harmful drug, not to mention buying marijuana, or anything for that matter, on the black market is extremely dangerous due to the lack of regulation on the "distributors." 

Marijuana has proven, study after study, that its positive medicinal effects far outweigh the minute risks when using a regulated strain from proper, legal dispensaries. Because marijuana has had such a positive effect on chronic illnesses, it's smaller accomplishments are put under the radar. Marijuana has been shown to improve psychological disorders such as depression, PTSD, anxiety and insomnia. In a documentary series entitled, "Morgan Spurlock: Inside Man," Spurlock goes into intriguing businesses ranging from a marijuana dispensary to a pet store. Upon arrival to California, Spurlock is easily able to obtain a medical marijuana card following a short questionnaire and brief medical exam for his insomnia and anxiety. Spurlock then moves onto Harborside Health Center in order to interview some of it's clientele. As a range of people enter into Harborside, Spurlock is able to interact with business men, war veterans, a mom with her son and help them treat illnesses such as carpal tunnel, diabetes, migraines, chronic pain, and the list goes on. The owner of Harborside, Steve DeAngelo explains to Spurlock that, "California law allows doctors to write a recommendation for any condition that cannabis is effective for. Turns out, that cannabis is effective for a very wide range of conditions" (DeAngelo). 

While in a perfect world, medical marijuana would be purchased by patients who truly need it's medicinal properties, however solely allowing medical marijuana to become legalized federally is a recipe for disaster. In California it is not uncommon for doctors to write $50 recommendations for their 'patients' and, "something like 5 per cent of people who are getting 'medical' marijuana have cancer, AIDS, glaucoma, or MS, conditions for which it is demonstrably useful" (Kleiman 17). Not only would many citizens cheat their doctors into allowing them to receive a medical marijuana card but also medical grade marijuana can be sold for much more than unregulated marijuana. This leaves dispensaries vulnerable to robberies from the extremely dangerous and violent criminals of the black market. However, if the United States were to legalize both medical and recreational marijuana, the black market for marijuana in the United States would ultimately diminish until it is non-existent. Not only would legalizing medical and recreational marijuana aid thousands of patients and destroy the black market, but the tax revenues that each state would receive from marijuana dispensaries would be astronomical.

It has been nearly four years since Colorado and Washington State have legalized recreational marijuana, and although trying at times, both states are reaping in the tax benefits. Colorado has released numerous reports on how the state is managing the transition and so far it has been smooth. Although opposed to recreational marijuana at first, John Hickenlooper, the governor of Colorado, and his staff are, "committed to fulfilling the will of the voters and directing the responsible regulation of this nascent industry" (Hickenlooper 243). By taking a proactive approach to this transition and dedicating a task force solely for the regulation of marijuana, Colorado has been able to combat the negative affects that so many experts had cautioned the voters about. Hickenlooper's commentary begins with the regulations put on the state by the federal government in order for growers and distributors to run a legitimate business. In order for marijuana to be legalized recreationally, there should be similar regulations to that of alcohol. Unfortunately marijuana's effects on the human body are much different than that of alcohol, so while similar regulations need to be put in place there must be some alteration. Colorado is using a mixture of alcohol, tobacco, and gaming regulations in order to keep users in check. Learning from the 'mistakes' of tobacco industries, the regulations set with in Colorado, "establish that print, television, and radio advertising are not allowed if 'more than 30 percent of the audience is reasonably expected to be under the age of 21'" (Hickenlooper 246). Once the task force and regulations were put into place, Colorado was ready to begin the distribution of recreational marijuana. In his commentary, Hickenlooper expects Colorado to see about $134 million in taxes from both medical and recreational marijuana in the fiscal 2014-2015. The governor goes on to explain that the market has not yet reached an equilibrium and that Colorado must wait to see how the market will play out in the near future before making any decisions on altering the budget. For now, the money is being distributed where it is needed, as well as going towards public health and safety as Colorado does not yet know the long term effects of recreational marijuana. Hickenlooper concludes that, "Colorado is a testing ground for this experiment in marijuana legalization, and how well we succeed in accomplishing our objectives will set the stage for other states and countries to examine their own policies regarding marijuana. 

For Colorado, tax revenues may be the only boost to the economy, however if the United States were to legalize recreational marijuana, far more gains will be found. Not only will each state be generating tax revenue much like Colorado, but the $1 trillion the United States spends to fight black market marijuana can be allocated to better budgets such as public schooling. The $1 trillion saved yearly does not include that saved by the cut in prison spending because with, "an estimated one in four people are in prison solely because of non-violent drug offenses, including possession, sales, and repeat offenses to marijuana" (Smith). Obviously not each non-violent drug offense was related to marijuana, however a vast number of would be law-abiding citizens would not be in jail today if marijuana was federally and state regulated rather than having an immense black market. Not only does this bring down prison costs but by keeping these would be law abiding citizens out of jail, they are able to continue a stable life with their families and hopeful contribute positively to their community and it's workforce. 

Smith's final point is a major hitter, explaining that, "on a more local economic level, legalization will create a ripple effect through tangentially related industries" (Smith). This is one aspect that Hickenlooper did not touch on during his commentary, however may be one of the most important aspects for America's economy. By legalizing recreational marijuana, the United States created an entire new opportunity for jobs across all fifty states. Between growing, distributing, and selling marijuana, every social class will be qualified for some type of work within the marijuana industry and not only that but so many other industries will begin to thrive off of this new cash crop. Transportation, electricity, water, farm owners, fertilizer, and many other industries will reap massive benefits from the legalization of marijuana. The citizens of the United States of America lavish in their ideals of capitalism and freedom and by legalizing marijuana, the government of the United States is only enabling entrepreneurs and capitalism, as well as giving it's citizens the freedom to choose whether or not to use marijuana. For 13 years, the United States government took away it's citizens right to drink alcohol and for over 40 years marijuana has remained illegal, but the United States has reached a tipping point in marijuana prohibition.

Gore Vidal was an American author born into a political family in 1925, and is able to recall bits and pieces of alcohol prohibition in the United States. In S.E. Smith's article for The Week, he recalls a quote from Vidal from 1970 in which he wrote, "'No one in Washington today recalls what happened during the years alcohol was forbidden to the people by a Congress that thought it had a divine mission to stamp out Demon Rum and so launched the greatest crime wave in the country's history'" (Smith). Not only did alcohol prohibition lead to more crime, but it lead to more alcohol related deaths as well. As moonshiners and bootleggers were making and selling their illegal alcohol, they did not particularly care for the well being of their clientele. Because of this, thousands of people died during prohibition from bad alcohol. Many people today do not reminisce on the bad alcohol but the gangsters who sold it and now they want part of the thrill. The market for marijuana today is much like alcohol during the 1920s, an unregulated, unsafe black market most likely run by major gangs and cartels. 

While the War on Drugs is a futile waste of money, there is a simple solution to easing a majority of this problem. If marijuana were to be legalized on a federal level, the black market would disappear along with much of the gang activity associated with selling marijuana. Granted there will always be a black market for hard drugs, it is possible for marijuana to be legitimately regulated as seen in Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper's commentary on his states legalization efforts. The drug war was started by President Nixon and, "was established to operate only for a period of three years" (Scherlen 70). How has it been imbedded in our minds that a war on marijuana is both ineffective and counterproductive for over 40 years? Unfortunately, many citizens do not believe in eliminating marijuana's black market in the United States and turning it into a legitimate, tax collecting industry because the health risks are too high. Marty Nemko, a graduate from UC Berkely with a Ph.D. in educational psychology and a career and personal coach, is one. Not only does Nemko disagree with legalizing recreational marijuana, but he also wants to make alcohol and tobacco illegal as well. Nemko's article is filled with studies linking marijuana to negative effects specifically on teen brains and baby's brains if the mother uses marijuana during pregnancy. Nemko goes on to argue that not only does marijuana negatively effect teens and babies, but America's workforce will be crippled if marijuana is legalized. However, as Nemko continues, his theories begin to seem un-American, explaining that he would like to, "make pot, alcohol and tobacco illegal. Freedom is not an absolute good. It is a good that should, on a case-by-case basis, be weighed against the liabilities" (Nemko). He then goes on to explain how he will occasionally have a drink and that he has smoked marijuana but would willingly give them up knowing society would benefit. 

Nemko may be correct in that the world could be a better place without alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana, however these three substances can be compared as living in Pandora's box. Once they were let out, they are not going back in. While experts such as Nemko are exploring the minute risks of marijuana, studies are being brought to light that will eradicate the worries associated with the decriminalization of marijuana and the increased use in teens. According to an 2015 article published on the Washington Post, "Teen marijuana use has fallen slightly over the past five years, at a time when four states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana and 23 states allow medical use" (Ingraham). Experts are confused as to why teen use of marijuana is dropping when the same teens believe there is not a great risk in using marijuana. Whatever the case may be, the assumptions that teenagers will begin to use marijuana more frequently now that the United States social stigma is leaning towards decriminalization. 

Dating back to 2900 BC, the cannabis plant had medicinal uses in China, skipping through time, the United States was using cannabis to treat numerous diseases and discomforts. This all changed circa 1900 when the United States government started the outlaw of marijuana. Not only did the United States put a prohibition on marijuana but they demonized it. Corralling high schoolers into auditoriums to show them videos of people jumping off buildings and crashing cars while high on marijuana (Hempel). With newfound evidence that the government was participating in studies dating back to the seventies and possibly even earlier, it is a shame that those scientists could not recognize the benefits of marijuana. Fortunately, today is a new day. Today is the day to legalize marijuana for it's medical uses, economic benefits, and a reduction in crime.

