by Cody Ryder

Created on: November 15, 2008

Decriminalizing Marijuana: A Growing Controversy
There are so many reasons why marijuana should be legalized.

If marijuana was made legal it would help to reduce the crime rate in America. During the prohibition of alcohol in the early 20th century, many people became criminals because they wanted a drink. This is similar to what happens to millions of people today. Most people who use marijuana do not commit any other crimes. In fact, a study done in California found that less than ten percent of people arrested for the possession of marijuana have committed any other crimes. With over 500,000 people arrested every year just for the possession of marijuana, prisons are filling up with small time drug users fast. The majority of these people are not violent drug dealers but simply people who use marijuana. Prisons are quickly filling up with these people whose only crime was using marijuana while worse offenders such as rapists and murderers are getting paroled early. Legalizing marijuana would relieve some of this overcrowding and would greatly reduce the crime rate. Its legalization may also help the economy.

If the drug was legal than the government would be able to tax its sale like it does tobacco products. Since the amount of money spent on marijuana every year is in the hundreds of millions this would be a great source of revenue. Also, legalizing it would allow things such as clothing to be made from hemp. Hemp is a weed and it grows virtually anywhere so it would help those states which have few other natural resources. If the production and sale of marijuana was monitored by the FDA then it would also be safer to use. There are obviously no safety regulations in place now and someone buying marijuana has no guarantee that what they buy is safe. Studies show that while you can not possibly die from an overdose of marijuana thousands die every year because the product which they buy is laced with something dangerous such as PCP. Apart from the economical benefits there are numerous ways that marijuana can help the medical community.

Marijuana relieves the symptoms of several painful diseases. Cancer patients often become nauseous and lose their appetites because of the chemotherapy they have to go through. Marijuana increases the appetite in these patients and helps them to gain weight. Glaucoma is a disease which causes fluid to build up in the eyes. Marijuana relieves this build up and can save a patient's eyesight. It also relieves the pain which is

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