Legalization of Marijuana

Legalization of Marijuana

Introduction

Currently, a strong debate rages across America on whether to legalize marijuana or not. Some states have legalized it while others are considering the option. It still remains the most commonly abused substance after alcohol. Marijuana is a drug whose disadvantages far outweigh the advantages. Legalizing it should not be considered as an option as such as step would be suicidal. The only prospectus of the government in legalizing it appears to be the attraction that a huge amount of revenue would be generated by regulating and taxing this drug. However, as the examples of alcohol and tobacco suggest, the cost of using marijuana would be many time more than the revenues that can be generated through taxes. Also, it will open the door for drug traffickers to exploit its legalization to smuggle this drug all over America. This is likely to happen as it did happen when gambling was legalized. When gambling was legalized, illegal gambling increased far more in proportion to legal gambling because illegal gamblers do not have to pay taxes. The same situation would arise with regards to marijuana as people; especially the drug traffickers would exploit its legislation for their own advantages.

The costs of legalizing marijuana are not only financial. There are strong medical reasons for opposing the use if this drug. It is linked with mental problems. Legalizing it to be used medically would mean an increase in the number of people who are dependent on this drug. This will then put the toll on the society on a whole as addicts find their life every restricted and their families come out to suffer as a result. Though those who favor legalizing it seem very keen at criticizing the alleged failures of the government to curb the illegal use of marijuana, the truth is that they too do not have any plan of their own which could provide any rationale for legalizing it, or one that would have a realistic strategy of how to tax and regulate this drug after it has been legalized.

Thesis statement

Legalizing marijuana should not be considered as an option because it will entail financial costs along with mentally and physically harming its users, increase road accidents, increase the number of addicts and illegal trafficking of this drug, and put a stress on the society and families. This need is strengthened because those who favor legalizing it have failed themselves to put forward any realistic plan that could possibly help the regulation and taxing of this drug.

Discussion

Not legalizing marijuana is contrary to the beliefs and values of those who support its legalization, but it is in total conformity with rationale and holds solid grounds. Instead of advocating for legalization of its use, the government must focus more on its currently balanced, restricting and bipartisan drug policies that have worked extremely well in curbing the percentage of this drug being used across America. Efforts and time that will be spent on attempting to legalize the use of this ...