The legalization of marijuana has been a heated debate over the past decade, twenty-six states currently have legalized marijuana in some form and many more states are soon to follow (Governing). However, despite the general shift of legalizing this drug in recent years, many people still believe that the drug should remain illegal. In states where cannabis is still illegal, there are still severe punishments for those who continue to partake in this activity. Whether people use marijuana for medicinal purposes or recreational use, the decision should ultimately be left up to the individual. Marijuana should be legalized in all states because it would drastically decrease drug possession charges, can have major health benefits, boost the local and national economy. Additionally, Americans have rights and freedoms to exercise and therefore should have the right to choose what they put into their individual bodies.  As long as it is not causing major problems to the individual or the public. 

The conflicts between police and citizens of the United States has been among the most important issues in the past decade.  As stated in an article published by USA today, “About 700,000 people are arrested annually on marijuana-related charges, 88% of those arrested in 2014 were arrested for possession of marijuana” (Fool). This statistic is alarmingly high and could be easily reduced by legalizing marijuana. Less arrests would be made, ultimately reducing the amount of crime substantially. Additionally, less inmates would be in correctional facilities across the nation. In turn, taxes dedicated towards these facilities would be reduced because less resources would be needed to keep correctional facilities operational. Also, many inmates arrested for marijuana can often sit in jail cells for a long time before they are even convicted, wasting even more tax payer money. The Washington Post says, “…most of these jailed inmates have not been convicted of any crime: They're sitting in a cell, awaiting a day in court, an appearance that may be months or even years off, because they can't afford to post bail” (Ingraham). This article speaks on how so many small arrests come from marijuana possessions when they should be focused on bigger offenses such as violent crimes. Often, inmates in correctional facilities can also take up jail space that could go to those who commit more serious crimes. This article also capitalizes on the fact that sometimes people who do end up being arrested sit and are not productive for days or even weeks at a time.  They may be off the street, but they are away from their families, and often a job which will usually result in the individual losing the job.  Arrests that lead to jail time are generally extreme cases with drug dealers, whom are dealing marijuana to others in large quantities rather than exercising recreational uses.  These small arrests seem small and harmless but can be catastrophic for anyone and their own loved ones, especially if those people are financially dependent on the one the person who was arrested.

In past, many cultures have used herbs and home remedies to help or aid in health issues.  Plants such as Aloe Vera and or Barberry are examples of this phenomenon. Although these plants and herbs may not cure cancer or be the outright solution to any disease, they can often help ease pain or assist the wellbeing of a person. Marijuana was originally found naturally on earth growing and thriving freely similarly to these other helpful herbs used in remedies that benefit one’s body. A case study published by the National Library of Medicine stats, “Recent advances in understanding of the mode of action of tetrahydrocannabinol and related cannabinoid in-gredients of marijuana, plus the accumulating anecdotal reports on potential medical benefits have spurred increasing re-search into possible medicinal uses of cannabis” (Grant). This article starts by stating how research on medical cannabis is becoming increasingly popular.  As more advanced medical examining techniques become available more doctors are exploring the effects marijuana has on the body through clinical testing and therapy.  The same article continues to say, “Recent clinical trials with smoked and vaporized marijuana, as well as other botanical extracts indicate the likelihood that the cannabinoids can be useful in the management of neuropathic pain, spasticity due to multiple sclerosis, and possibly other indications” (Grant).  As more research is being conducted, researchers are beginning to see all the positive effects that medicinal marijuana could be used for in the medical field.  Select hospitals are already using marijuana to assist in patient’s treatment and have reported high success rates.  

Marijuana is beginning to prove itself as a high success low risk drug.  As marijuana becomes approved to be used in hospitals across the United States, it raises the question as to why can’t the public have access to it if it is producing all these positive effects. However, the public still has many concerns about marijuana. The main issue that people fear is the addiction factor that comes with using drugs. An article published by Scientific American states, “A number of investigators have addressed this issue and found that only a relatively small percentage of those who try marijuana will become addicted” (Arkowitz, Lilienfield). This article displays the fact that a small amount of people would become addicted or dependent on marijuana.  This small amount of people could easily seek out help and receive assistance as needed.  The same article conducted a survey and they found that, 

In a large-scale survey published in 1994 epidemiologist James Anthony and his colleagues asked more than 8,000 people between the ages of 15 and 64 about their use of marijuana and other drugs. The researchers found that of those who had tried marijuana at least once, about 9 percent eventually fit a diagnosis of cannabis dependence. The corresponding figure for alcohol was 15 percent; for cocaine, 17 percent; for heroin, 23 percent; and for nicotine, 32 percent. So although marijuana may be addictive for some, 91 percent of those who try it do not get hooked. Further, marijuana is less addictive than many other legal and illegal drugs (Arkowitz, Lilienfield). 

 As previously stated, marijuana is less addictive than some drugs that are legal nationwide. Although age restrictions are placed on alcohol, just as they should be put into effect for marijuana, it was still more addictive.  Marijuana also has a much lower risk of domestic violence problems associated with it then any other drug mentioned, including alcohol. 

Therefore, there are very little risks in using marijuana both for recreational and medicinal use for both the individual and those around them.  A TED talk by Hugh Hempel spoke about how he has a seven-year-old daughter who has a rare genetic disease. He speaks about how marijuana has gotten a negative reputation and a bad name for itself. Hempel used to be someone who associated people who interacted with marijuana as “druggies” and “bad people,” but now he is reconsidering his words since now his daughter’s life depends on medicinal marijuana.  Every day he must inject cannabis oil into his daughter arm.  This cannabis oil is essentially keeping her pain down and allowing it to be tolerable.  The point he is trying to get across in his talk is to reconsider marijuana and he encourages his audience to keep an open mind to all the good and potential the drug has.

Many misconceptions come to mind when speaking about marijuana, one of which is about over dose. The Washington Post stated, “Ever since marijuana has been known to mankind, not one single account of death from overdose has been recorded. On the other hand, in 2010, 38,329 people died from drug overdoses. Sixty percent of those were related to prescription drugs. In that same year, 25,692 people died from alcohol-related causes” (Jacques). Not a single person has ever died directly from overdosing on marijuana, making it one of the safest drugs in the world.  It poses not much of a threat to its users and they can practically use as much marijuana as they would like. Although that is not encouraged, the government would have to put some type of restrictions on how much marijuana an individual can have in their own body at a given time similar to alcohol. An article posted by the American Public Health Association states that,

On January 1, 2014, Colorado became the first state in the nation to sell legal recreational marijuana for adult use. As a result, Colorado has had to carefully examine potential population health and safety impacts as well as the role of public health in response to legalization. We have discussed an emerging public health framework for legalized recreational marijuana. We have outlined this framework according to the core public health functions of assessment, policy development, and assurance. In addition, we have discussed challenges to implementing this framework that other states considering legalization may face (Ghosh).  

Having states such as Colorado and California already legalizing marijuana paves the way for future states and gives them framework to look at to see what works and what does not. The early states can be considered trial runs for the rest of the states that have not yet taken the first steps.  These trial runs also have been quite successful and have shown congress as well as other states that it is possible to do.  Colorado has also economic boosts since the legalization of marijuana. An article by Think Progress states, “It turns out pot is a stronger economic driver than 90 percent of the industries active in Colorado. Legal weed created 18,005 full-time jobs and added about $2.4 billion to the state’s economy last year, an analysis from the Marijuana Policy Group (MPG) shows” (Pyke). Marijuana has become so popular in Colorado it has started its own industry.  In the past two decades, the U.S. has seen some of its toughest economic fallouts.  The stock market crash in 2008 was the worst crash since the Great Depression in the late 1920’s. Since the crash in 2008 was less than ten years ago, marijuana could add a great boost to the modern economy state by state and eventually to the nation. Similarly, an article stated by Business Insider said, “California is the world's sixth largest economy, only outpaced by the US (as a whole), China, Japan, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The Golden State's economic output for 2015 came in at $2.46 trillion” (Gilbert). California is a massive economy rake in the United States, and will continue to be a powerhouse for many years to come.  The introduction of marijuana to California has drastically improved their economy. The article by Business Insider goes on to say, 

All of which is to say: Tax revenue isn't going to start rolling in until 2018.  When it does, California's looking at an additional $1.5 billion flooding into the marijuana market. That number swells to just shy of $3 billion in 2019, and nearly $4 billion by 2020, based on the latest report from New Frontier Data and ArcView Market Research.  And to be clear, that's on top of the already booming medical marijuana market — the total size of the cannabis market would reach $4.27 billion in 2018, and would grow to $6.45 billion by 2020. The ballot initiative was overwhelming supported in California: 56% of voters supported Prop. 64, compared to just 44% opposed (Gilbert).  

Unfortunately, California will not feel the effect of this economic boost immediately, but in time the state government should have a great increase in tax revenue.  The revenue that marijuana will accumulate over the years of 2018, 2019, and 2020 sums up to 8.5 billion over that allotted time.

One of the basic principles the founding fathers of the United States based the constitution on was freedom, and freedom to do what we please to our own individual bodies.  More often than not the term “My body, my choice” is referring to abortions, but this can also be used when referring to different drugs and substances to be put into your body.  An article stated by Human Coalition states, “After all, America is the land of opportunity. We celebrate choice and champion individual freedoms in our country. Therefore, it seems only reasonable to allow a woman to choose when to have a baby. The fact is, most people support a woman’s right to do what she wants with her own body.” (Fisher).  This article elaborates on the freedom of choice when referring to abortion, but it is the when referring to what you do with your body.  The freedom of choice should be exercised and not taken for granted.  People in America have the right to many opportunities that others in some foreign countries do not such as the right to vote, the right to freedom of speech, and the right to the pursuit of happiness.  People exercise these rights every day, therefore people should exercise their right to treat their body how they want and not how to government wants.

Many misconceptions and concerns arise from the thought of using marijuana, one of which is that marijuana being a gateway drug.  An article from the New York Times states that, “It should come as no surprise that the vast majority of heroin users have used marijuana (and many other drugs) not only long before they used heroin but while they are using heroin” (DuPont). Although this fact may be true that the clear majority of heroin users have also tried marijuana, it does not mean that all marijuana users have done heroin.  However, an article from Newsweek states, “If anything, marijuana can work as a gateway out of hard drug use—a plan to leave that needs to be studied and, possibly, implemented at the policy level. It’s time to move beyond marijuana as a gateway drug and start to study its use as treatment for the deadly, addictive and socially devastating drugs.” (Boeri).  This article not only supports that Marijuana is not a gateway, but states that marijuana can help end addiction to hard drugs.  It also says that people need to get past all the social assumptions made about marijuana and work to move forward and implement in to both recreational and medicinal uses.

In the end cannabis seems to be a harmless drug that can have great affects in the United States. Many good things can come from legalizing this drug that far outweigh any foreseeable consequences. This include health benefits and tax revenue. Marijuana should be legalized due to the amount of arrests that would be decreased, the medical advances that can come from marijuana, the economic boost it would have, and the freedom of choice people have.  Many misconceptions and myths must be cracked for both the public and the government to approve of the legalization of marijuana.  This process must be swift and effective, and done soon to prevent more unnecessary arrests of both minors and adults.  There needs to be a change, and the time for change is now.
