1 Michael Johansson Colin Hull English 2010 August 6, 2013

Figure 1.What could be the economical outcome of legalizing marijuana?

What Will Happen if Marijuana is legalized?

Nearly a year ago, the states of Colorado and Washington passed an Amendment legalizing the recreational use of marijuana for adults over 21 years of age. These are the first two states to end the prohibition on marijuana. What does this mean for the rest of the United States, or better yet, what is the economic outcome of legalizing the drug? This is a very controversial topic that could be beneficial for the economic growth of the United States. If marijuana is legalized, what will happen to the drug trafficking trade? Many people have strong opinions on legalizing marijuana. Is their potential for economic growth? If so, are there too many associated risks? If so, could there be a compromise to satisfy everyone?

Amendment 64
Brian Vicente is the author of Amendment 64 which according to Colorado's state legislature, and Vicente states, it is now legal to posses up to one ounce of marijuana and allows each household to grow up to as many as 6 marijuana plants. However, the distribution of marijuana is only legal at dispensaries. This means that I could buy it from a dispensary and give you some, as long as I dont have more than one ounce, and you are over the age of 21. I could not however, sell the drug to anyone. Even though its legal in Washington and Colorado, the federal law still prohibits the possession of marijuana, no matter how much or how little you have. Even though possession and distribution of Marijuana is against federal law, the federal government wont pursue tokers in states that have legalized the drug (Vicente).

Financial Gain
With marijuana being illegal in the U.S. besides Colorado and Washington, all of the revenue from the sales of marijuana are under the table, black market type sales. Not one penny is taxed since the distribution of marijuana is illegal. But according to the economist Stephen Easton, the marijuana industry is worth up to 36 billion dollars and revenue would be anywhere between $45 and $100 billion a year (Easton). In Amendment 64, it pledges that the first $40 million will go directly to the school system. Along with potential revenue, there could potentially be a jump in jobs. In the article Pros and Cons of Legalizing Marijuana, Sourabh Gupta sates, the AZ business magazine claims that for every new dispensary, there would be 75 jobs created (Gupta).

Drug Cartels

3 There are some critics that say that with the added revenue of legalizing marijuana, we would be taking the money right out of the drug cartels hands, and putting it the United States pockets. According to New York Times author Sylvia Longmire, marijuana trafficking is a 6 billion dollar a year business for drug cartels trafficking the drug into the United States (Longmire). A study done by a Mexican think tank claims that the legalization of the drug would cut down the cartels income by up to 30% (cbsnews.com). However, some argue that even though the drugs would come from the U.S. Mexican cartels could easily set up shop in the United States. Thomas J. Gorman, head of the Rocky Mountain High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area said, If I were a cartel member and I knew Colorado and Washington had it legal, I'd get a couple front people and do my business out of those states. Why would I not? (Cbsnews.com).

Even though there is a possibility of a lot of revenue, some people argue that the health risks outweigh the money involved in legalizing marijuana. In the New York Times article Legalizing of Marijuana Raises Health Concerns by Roni Caryn Rabin, she raises certain health concerns. Rabin argues that todays pot isnt your parents pot. Todays weed is much more potent than in previous generations. The main cause is the increase in levels of THC. This is the ingredient that gives the partaker the high, and with higher potency brings more problems. The brain has naturally occurring synapses that are similar to the synapses that occur when THC enters the brain. Some research suggests that with increased levels of THC, receptors can be blocked and harder to experience. This increases the amount of marijuana that is used since it takes more of the drug to achieve the same high. Dr. Nora D. Volkow director of the National Institute on Drug

4 Abuse said, weve seen a pretty dramatic increase in admission to emergency rooms and treatment programs for marijuana (Rabin). Kayla Morgan is the author of the book Legalizing Marijuana she says, Marijuana lowers a persons inhibitions and ability to concentrate and can impair judgment (Morgan 17). Some argue that cigarettes are much more dangerous, yet they are legal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, More deaths are caused each year by tobacco use than by all deaths from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combined (cdc.gov). With the legalization of marijuana, some are scared that the percentage of users will greatly increase. Marijuana contains many harmful ingredients such as tar, which is also found in cigarettes.

Conclusion
America was hit hard with a stunt to its economic growth 5 years ago. Right now we are still recovering and doing our best to pull ourselves out of this slump. The potential to make billions of dollars from marijuana wouldnt just help our nation, but could be the start of getting back on our feet. Just because something is good for one person, doesnt mean its right for everyone. There is potential for a lot of money, but also potential for a lot of health risks. Many people have their own opinions on marijuana, but the facts are still the same. However, its still being debated whether or not the risks outweigh the benefits.

Works Cited: Gupta, Sourabh. Pros and Cons of Legalzing Marijuana.Buzzle.com. 10 February 2013. Web. 22 June 2013. Longmire, Sylvia. Legalization Wont Kill the Cartels. Newyorktimes.com. 18 June 2011. Web. 22 June 2013. Morgan, Kayla. Legalizing Marijuana. Edina, Minnesota, United States: ABDO, 2011. 17. Print. Rabin, Roni. Legalizing of Marijuana Raises Health Concerns. Newyorktimes.com 01 July 2013. Web. 22 June 2013. Study: U.S. marijuana legalization would hurt Mexican cartels. Cbsnews.com. 31 November 2012. Web. 22 June 2013. Tobacco-Related MortalityCdc.gov. 11 March 2011. Web. 22 June 2013.

Vicent, Brian Initiative Referendum. Leg.state.co.us. 05 September 2013. Web. 22 June 2013.

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6 Figure 1. CBS News. Whats Next for Marijuana Laws? CBSnews.com. 24 November 2012. Web. 27 June 2013.