Legalizing

It Might Be
The
Solution.
By: Joshua
Bustamante




May 6, 2014



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Executive Summary
Marijuana also known as cannabis is classified as a first-degree drug according
to the DEA and the federal government. The problem with marijuana being
illegal is that prohibition does not work. Prohibition of the drug dates back to
the early 1900s with the goal being to reduce the amount and demand of drugs
available. In an effort to stop the substantial spread of marijuana, the DEA
established the Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program. However,
prohibiting cannabis has not been a success since it has not completely stopped
people from using the drug. Prohibiting something that is in high demand does
not work because people will do whatever it takes to get their hands on the
drug. If the federal government were to legalize marijuana, less money would
be spent on enforcement against marijuana also having additional benefits.
Conclusively, the essence of this proposal will be to highlight problems of
having marijuana illegal and to explain why marijuana should become legal.


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Background

Marijuana is the most controversial and widely used drug in the United
States that can be found in nearly any neighborhood across nation. The use of
the drug dates back to the beginning of the colonies, most cannabis plants was
used for their hemps properties. Hemp is a natural soft fiber found in cannabis
plants; which was the largest agricultural plant used in the world.
Laws were essential in order to regulate the usage of cannabis plants.
The first cannabis law ever recorded was enacted in Jamestown, Virginia 1619;
allowing farmers to have the ability grow hemp (Guither). Showing that hemp
was a key resource used in American agricultural and remedial daily life.
Cannabis even shows up in some of Americas most significant historical
documents; the first two copies of the Declaration of Independence were made
from hemp cannabis paper (Block). Showing that Cannabis has been used for
monumental documents in history, highlighting its importance.
Propaganda and indoctrination took place in America and portrayed
minorities breaking social norms. Under yellow journalism many articles such
as, Reefer Madness depicted Blacks and Mexicans who smoked as deviant
members of society (Bud). Marijuana use was portrayed as detrimental to ones
health and using marijuana came to be seen as a socially deviant behavior.
Cannabis was not always classified as a drug as it was used for
agricultural and remedial uses before. It wasnt until the mid-1930 that
Cannabis was regulated as a drug in every state due to the Uniform State
Narcotic Drug Act (Marijuana Timeline). Marijuana was then nationally viewed
as a drug; however, it was inevitable for people to utilize the multifunctional
plant. In 1937 the Marijuana Tax Act was enabled, allowing all hemp products
such as marijuana and medicine to be taxed, resulting in the downfall of hemp
(History of Marijuana as Medicine). If one wanted to grow hemp one needed to
obtain a stamp from the government promoting misuses and eventually leading
to the first marijuana conviction and ultimately all marijuana became illegal.
By examining past prohibitions such as alcohol prohibition we can see a
pattern that conveys that prohibiting something that is desired does not work.
Alcohol prohibition led to a rise in criminal groups in the United States, a
general disregard to the law, and an increase in alcohol poisoning. (Thornton)
Since marijuana has been illegal the demand for the drug has not decreased,
instead, the disregard to the law and the crime revolving marijuana has
increased. Today, the used to be known deviant drug is used for harmless
recreational and beneficial medical purposes.
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Problem

Prohibiting marijuana that is high in demand does not work because
people find alternative ways to get their hands on the illegal plant. This
simplifies it for minors to get access to marijuana from some local drug dealer
selling it in the street since institutions are not established to regulate the
sales. The fact that marijuana is illegal does not decrease the amount of
people who use the drug.
The problem with prohibiting marijuana is that is emphasizes and
increases the distribution of marijuana throughout the country forcing the
government to step into place. There is a high inflation in which 10 lbs. of
marijuana in Mexico is worth 20 lbs. in the United States (Ortiz). Meaning one
can make a lucrative business out of exporting marijuana from Mexico to the
Unite States. The cost for the marijuana black market is extremely high, this
increases illegal activities by people who want to control it.
There are numerous of underground marijuana black-markets spread
across the country. Forcing the federal government to spend about $20 billion a
year on marijuana drug enforcements (Sledge). Other then money, the
government spends countless hours into these arrests that cause none to
minimal harm to anybody. The number of people filling up prison cells due to
marijuana violations has increased in fast rates. In 2012, 749,825 people were
incarcerated due to marijuana law violations and 658,731 of the arrests were
for minor possessions only (Drug War Statistics). Many members of LEAP (Law
Enforcement Against Prohibition) have stated that the nations War on Drugs is
failing due to the 1.5 million drug arrests. Neil Franklin, a head leader of LEAP
stated, taxpayers are spending between one and a half to three billion dollars
a year just on the police and court time involved in making these arrests
(Ferner). Hence, underlining that despite the considerable amounts of money
spent on trying to regulate the consumption of drugs, there are still an
extremely high numbers of arrests for the possession of marijuana.
Marijuana is used for harmless recreational and medical purposes, yet
the government is forced to spend billions of dollars on marijuana drug
enforcements that fail to conserve the spread and usage of the drug. This
problem of continuous failure only emphasizes the need for a solution.




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Solution

Legalizing marijuana will eliminate the problems caused by having it
illegal. Not only will it eliminate problems but also provide external befits to
society.
During the age of alcohol prohibition it was a lot easier for someone to
illegally get his or her hands on alcohol. ..consumption of alcohol actually
rose steadily after an initial drop(Thornton). Now that alcohol is regulated
over the counter not just anyone can walk into a store and purchase a drink.
The same concept can be applied to marijuana. Having an institution that
regulates the sales of marijuana will decrease the underage usage of it since it
will make it nearly impossible for minors to purchase marijuana in a public
institution
Another beneficial outcome of legalizing marijuana is there will be no
need for the government to spend billions of dollars on law enforcement.
Instead of spending money on regulating marijuana, states can benefit from tax
revenue gained by the legal sale of marijuana.
Twenty states allow the sale and use of medicinal marijuana; however,
certain states such as Washington and Colorado allow for the recreational use
of marijuana. The amount of total revenue collected in the first month of
marijuana being legal in Colorado was $14 million (Ferner). Legalizing the drug
would only reduce the amount of money the federal government spends on
regulating it while also making a lucrative investment. Colorados total pot
sales next fiscal year were estimated to be about $610 million.(Wyatt)
Colorado has a state population of 5.18 million people; now imagine how much
tax revenue the state of California could make with a state population of 38.04
million people.
With so much money being made from the taxes many wonder what the
money will be used for. The state of Colorado will be devoting $40 million of
the total tax revenue to public school construction (Stuart). The use of the rest
of the tax revenue is still being debated; however, a portion of that money will
be used to support and fund programs that promote the education of marijuana
(Ferner). The remaining portion of tax revenue can be used for positive
contributions to society such as fixing roads or helping the community.
There are also external benefits for legalizing marijuana. Colorados first
marijuana industry job fair was held in Denver, Colorado on March and the
turnout was huge. Fifteen large marijuana-related companies held a job fair,
essentially to employ approximately 150 people (Kennedy). This is to show that
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many job opportunities have risen in the economy due to the legalization of
marijuana. Just like any other industry, the marijuana industry requires the
presence of workers such as: security, bankers, growers, trimmers,
transporters, bud tenders, and bookkeepers (Stuart). Many of these job
opportunities can be seen as open doors for people struggling in this tough
economy. The legalization of the drug in Colorado has had a positive effect on
the economy with the numerous amounts of jobs being offered.
Many will say that legalizing marijuana would only increase the illegal
production and consumption of the drug. Since prices of marijuana are now
taxed, many will find it more convenient to purchase marijuana from someone
who distributes it illegally for a lot cheaper. Thus, the benefit of creating jobs
will be beneficial in this case. Previous marijuana sellers can be employed by
the marijuana industry allowing them to earn money, which will eliminate their
purpose for selling marijuana illegally.
If nothing is done about legalizing marijuana the increase of drug activity
will continue to grow and billions of dollars will continue to be spent on
regulating irrelevant marijuana law violations.
Conclusion
Prohibiting marijuana was supposed to empty out prison cells and
eliminate social problems; however, the function has failed due to the increase
of people locked behind prison cells because of marijuana law violations.
Instead of reducing social problems the illegalization of marijuana only caused
financial problems from the government. Repealing the illegalization of
marijuana will dramatically reduce crime, and the money spent on marijuana
law violations while also creating new jobs and voluntary efforts, which will
help educate society on marijuana and also create tax revenue, which will can
used for positive contributions to society.












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Work Cited

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N.p., 13 Mar. 2014. Web. 23 Apr. 2014.

Block, Bruce A. "Why Marijuana Became Illegal The Basic Facts." Bruce Alan Block Attorney at Law. N.p., n.d.
Web. 24 Apr. 2014.

Bud, Monterey. "The Downfall Of Cannabis in America: Yellow Journalism, Fear, And Greed." Marijuanacom.
Weedmaps, 16 July 2013. Web. 30 Apr. 2014.

"DEA / Cannabis Eradication." DEA / Cannabis Eradication. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.

"Drug War Statistics." Drug Policy Alliance. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 May 2014.


Ferner, Matt. "Colorado Recreational Weed Sales Top $14 Million In First Month." The Huffington Post.
TheHuffingtonPost.com, 10 Mar. 2014. Web. 23 Apr. 2014.

"Frontline." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2014.


Guither, Pete. "Why Is Marijuana Illegal?" Drug WarRant. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2014.

"Historical Timeline - Medical Marijuana - ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines. N.p., 13 Aug. 2013. Web. 22
Apr. 2014.

Kennedy, Bruce. "Marijuana Job Fair Attracts Hundreds of Job-seekers."CBSNews. CBS
Interactive, 14 Mar. 2014. Web. 05 May 2014.

"Marijuana Timeline." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 03 May 2014.

Messamore, W. E. "Colorado Recreational Marijuana Tax Revenue Hits $2M in First Month." IVNus. N.p., 15 May
2014. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.

Ortiz, Erik. "High Demand: Price of Legal Marijuana Soars in Colorado."NBC News. N.p., 2 Jan. 2014. Web. 24
Apr. 2014.

Sledge, Matt. "Marijuana Prohibition Now Costs The Government $20 Billion A Year: Economist." The Huffington
Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 20 Apr. 2013. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.

Stuart, Hunter. "If You Support Legal Marijuana, Memorize These 13 Stats."The Huffington Post.
TheHuffingtonPost.com, 19 Apr. 2014. Web. 23 Apr. 2014.


Thornton, Mark. "Alcohol Prohibition Was A Failure." Alcohol Prohibition Was A Failure. N.p., 17 July 1991.
Web. 23 Apr. 2014.

Wyatt, Kristen. "Governor: Colorado Pot Market Exceeds Tax Hopes." The Big Story N.p., 19 Feb. 2014. Web. 24
Apr. 2014.