LeClaire 1

Should marijuana be legalized for medical purposes? What about recreational use? There
are many different opinions on what should happen and why. Obviously, the opinion of each
person is a representation of what they believe will benefit them the most in the long run.
Legalizing marijuana for any purpose makes some people nervous. But there are so many
benefits to legalizing marijuana--both for recreational and medical use--that we need to find a
way to allay these fears. Clear, concise national
guidelines would have this effect; the guidelines
would cover such policy issues as procedures for
obtaining marijuana; prohibiting access by children;
regulating driving and public intoxication. After all
it is safer than peanuts!
With the consistent guidelines everywhere,
it would cut down on the confusion people may
have about what is and isnt okay to be doing. There would be guidelines that ensure medical
users have been diagnosed by a doctor with an illness or disease in which Marijuana has been
proven to help with. They would be given so much at a time, just like a regular prescription of
pills; and have to go back to their prescribing doctor for a check-up and evaluation of how it is
working. There are many different strains and types of marijuana, therefore some will work
better for certain illnesses while others may do nothing. With the evaluation from a doctor he
can set a strain and dosage amount.
Many people are worried about children having easier access to marijuana if it was
legalized, but what a lot of people dont realize is that it is already on the streets and our children
already have access to it if they wanted it. By legalizing marijuana, and having it for sale in

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regulated stores, it could actually decrease the amount on the streets. People will go to the stores
where they have more choices and can buy a sealed legal package. There would be an age limit,
such as 21 to be allowed in these stores or to consume recreationally. In Colorado where they
have legalized it recreational already, that is the age limit. ("Colorado Pot Guide)
Another concern that people have is that it impairs the
users motor skills, making them slower, and thus could
cause accidents if people are driving under the
influence. This is a valid concern and that is why a clear
guideline needs to set on driving while impaired. Just
like there is a legal limit that an individual must be
under when driving after drinking alcohol; there needs
to be a limit for marijuana. Also, since marijuana can
stay in the users system for up to 30 days after using, there needs to be a way to test active THC
in an individuals blood. ( Milligan, Susan)
There should also be a law that states no smoking or consuming in public places, such as
public intoxication. If an individual chooses to partake in the using of marijuana for medical or
recreational use, it should be done in private so as not to interfere with others or their own
beliefs. (Pacula, Rosalie)
Implementing these guidelines will take some time and also cost money. However it will
save money in the long run in many ways such as less people in jail to support, less crime and
drugs on the streets for children to have access to, and we can make money of the sales tax and
business taxes that will paid. It will take some time to educate the public and law enforcement on
the changes but it will save time and money in the long run.

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In Colorado, where the laws changed earlier this year, there are many benefits for the
community as a whole. The first one being, the community has access to a herbal medicine vs a
chemical medicine. The second thing is, all the money that has
been made from the tax on retail sales of medical marijuana. This
money has been used for many things but the two major things are
new roads and new schools and school supplies for the children in
Colorado. (Colorado department of revenue)
There are laws put into place that allow Americans to consume alcohol and tobacco, and
with these things being highly regulated throughout the United States, individuals are allowed to
make their own choices about whether they consume or not. Both of these things contribute to
many deaths each year in various ways. (Pacula, Rosalie Liccardo) Marijuana on the other hand,
is something that has been proven to help save lives
and make everyday living manageable for individuals
that suffer from severe health problems, yet it is still
illegal. With the proposal I have given, I believe that
this could change and individuals who chose to use
could do so safely while others who chose not to
partake could still gain from knowing that our national
debt is being greatly reduced by the taxes made and the
fewer tax dollars being used to support inmates that are incarcerated for such petty crimes.

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Works Cited

"Colorado Pot Guide." Marijuana Laws in Colorado | | A Marijuana Travel Guide. 3

Jan. 2014. Web. 10 Oct. 2014

Milligan, Susan. "The Push To Legalize Marijuana." U.S. News Digital Weekly 6.32
(2014): 5. Business Source Premier. Web. 10 Oct. 2014.

Pacula, Rosalie Liccardo, et al. "Developing Public Health Regulations For Marijuana:
Lessons From Alcohol And Tobacco." American Journal Of Public Health 104.6 (2014):
1021-1028. Business Source Premier. Web. 10 Oct. 2014.

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"Department of Revenue." |. Web. 7 Dec. 2014. <https://colorado.gov/revenue>.