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Thus, it is not an individual choice issue.
Cost of Drug Use journal article by Roberto a. Trevino, Alan J. Richard (2002); in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, reveals that the cost of drug use and abuse, especially marijuana, is expensive to the country. "Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug, used by 81% of current illicit drug users. Approximately 60% of current illicit drug users used only marijuana, 21% used marijuana and another illicit drug, and the remaining 19% used an illicit drug but not marijuana in the past month. Therefore, about 40% of current illicit drug users in 1998 (an estimated 5.4 million Americans) were current users of illicit drugs other than marijuana and hashish (p. 91)." Considering for a moment the cost associated with policing, rehabbing, educating and all other areas of anti-drug use proactive approaches; this translates into a huge cost to the taxpayer in attempting to help young people - and older people - see the opportunities beyond drug use.
Other Countries
The spread of legalized drug use in countries around the world is alarming; especially in places like Holland, where the impact of that legalized use is now becoming a common sight on the streets of the major cities in the country, and one which has been shown on numerous documentaries and news programs. In the UK, debates are taking that country closer and closer to the legalized use of marijuana (Lowry, 2001). Still, the United States resists jumping on the bandwagon due to pressure by a minority of the population. To this end, anti-drug advocates are criticized, but the efforts to keep marijuana illegal in the United States continue to be successful.
Still, research shows that the move to legalize marijuana is picking up both support and momentum (Nadelmann, 2004). Whether or not the anti-drug lobby in the United States will persevere cannot be predicted.
Conclusion
The arguments for legalizing marijuana in the United States is not as weighty as those arguments against it. Public opinion weighs heavy on the scales of as possible. It is important, too, to decrease the potential for public harm at the hands of a person whose thinking is impaired by marijuana use. It is important to acknowledge that enough is not known about the use of marijuana, and there is no reason why exploring that scientifically or socially through publicly funded studies would be useful. Marijuana is not essential to the quality of individual life and the pursuit of happiness; and it should not be legalized.
Lowry, Richard. "Weed Whackers - the Anti-Marijuana Forces, and Why They're Wrong." National Review 20 Aug. Questia. 4 Dec. 2007 http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5002408640.
Marijuana Not a Medicine; Illicit Drug No Source for Treatment." The Washington Times 9 June 2005: A21. Questia. 4 Dec. 2007 http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5009552477.
Matter of Choice." The Register-Guard (Eugene, or) 5 Oct. 2005: A12. Questia. 4 Dec. 2007 http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5011238476.
Nadelmann, Ethan a. "An End to Marijuana Prohibition: The Drive to Legalize Picks Up." National Review 12 July 2004: 28. Questia. 4 Dec. 2007 http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5009355870.
Trevino, Roberto a., and Alan J. Richard. "Attitudes towards Drug Legalization among Drug Users." American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse 28.1 (2002): 91+. Questia. 4 Dec. 2007 http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5000711797.
U.N. Report Rebuts Arguments for Legalizing Pot; Puffing for Fun Is Frowned on; Medical Use Merits More Study." The Washington Times 27 Feb. 2002: A12. Questia. 4 Dec. 2007 http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5000710352.
The War on Drugs; Will Legalizing Drugs Put an End to the Black Market." The Washington Times 15 Apr. 2003: A19. Questia. 4 Dec. 2007 http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5001910274.
Trevino, Roberto a., and Alan J. Richard. "Attitudes towards Drug Legalization among Drug Users." American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse 28.1 (2002): 91+. Questia. 4 Dec. 2007 http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5000711797.
U.N. Report Rebuts Arguments for Legalizing Pot; Puffing for Fun Is Frowned on; Medical Use Merits More Study." The Washington Times 27 Feb. 2002: A12. Questia. 4 Dec. 2007 http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5000710352.
The War on Drugs; Will Legalizing Drugs Put an End to the Black Market." The Washington Times 15 Apr. 2003: A19. Questia. 4 Dec. 2007 http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5001910274.
Legalizing Marijuana It costs significant money for governments to catch buyers and dealers of drugs in the black market, arrest them, file cases against them, and then keep them in jail. Hence, the war on drugs is a long, risky, expensive undertaking. (Boylstein, 2003) This spending is considerably high when talking about the drug marijuana, as it is one amongst largely consumed drugs as it does not cause much harm to
Legalizing marijuana would actually allow authorities to focus on some of society's most severe problems, as they would no longer have to invest significant resources into punishing petty marijuana users. Considering the difficulties related to criminalizing marijuana, it only seems natural for the government to want to do everything in its power to have it legalized, as penalizing marijuana offenders costs society enormous resources, particularly given that the number of
Fact 9: Europe's more liberal drug policies are not the right model for America. Fact 10: Most non-violent drug users get treatment, not jail time. (Legalization, 2010). Conclusion There are no benefits for society in the legalization of marijuana. The money from the taxing of the marijuana will end up being use to regulate and enforce the dispensaries. The money to treat the addiction will be another source of lost revenues from the taxation. Increased usage
Marijuana Legalization I have no doubt in my mind that a majority of Americans hold a stand similar to mine; that the criminalization of marijuana is indeed costing us more than its legalization would. Those sitting on the fence, or holding a contrary opinion have probably not thought of it this way; marijuana is the country's largest cash crop, and legalizing it will do nothing but yield a streak of
Legalization of Marijuana Early in 1930, marijuana was made illegal by the pulp paper industry in collaboration with the government and renamed it the "Devil's Weed." One thing is for sure, the strangling holds the government struggles and pretends to hold on the war on drugs specifically marijuana is irrational. The government has wasted countless dollars convicting law-abiding citizens just for possessing and using marijuana. The wastage is also related to
Abstract This paper looks at the concept of legalizing marijuana nationwide. It examines what the current literature has to say on marijuana research, medicinal benefits, and legal history of the substance. It also includes a look at the economic benefits of marijuana legalization in states like Colorado. An analysis section follows the review of literature, and in the conclusion recommendations are made for further action. Introduction Though the banning of marijuana began in