Reason for Legalizing Marijuana - Research Paper Example

Pro Argument for legalization of Marijuana 1. Introduction Marijuana, also called as Cannabis, hemp, weed, grass and by many other names is a plant whose leafs when smoked and inhaled like a cigarette, induces psychotropic effects. In many countries including US, it is regarded as a drug and if a person is caught with the drugs, can be sentenced to a jail term. In countries such as Thailand and Saudi Arabia, offenders have been sentenced to death. There is much criticism as Marijuana as being the stepping-stone for consuming harder drugs such as Cocaine, LSD and others. However, it is wrong to classify Marijuana as a addictive hard drug that would make the consumer to take up crime. On the other hand, Marijuana has a beneficial effect on people and this paper would argue that it make more sense for governments to legalize growing and consuming marijuana. Facts and figures of economic and medical reasons are provided to support the argument. 2. Economic Reason For Legalizing Marijuana Miron (2005) and more than 500 economists from very reputed US Universities such as Stanford, Harvard, Wharton and others, endorsed an open letter that was sent to Congress, Governors, President, and State Legislatures, asking them to legalise Marijuana. Among the eminent economists who signed the letter were three noble laureates. The main argument of the letter was that marijuana was not a dangerous narcotic that should be placed under the Drug Enforcement Administration’s purview. Even small offenders who were caught with a few grams of the substance were regarded as drug consumers and peddlers and subjected to imprisonment along with hardened criminals. The letter pointed out that the current system of prohibition could be replaced by a system of taxes, similar to what was being done for alcohol and cigarettes. If growing, transporting and consuming marijuana was made legal, the government could annually save around 7.7 billion USD that the government spent in enforcing the ban. If the government further introduced a taxation system, similar to cigarettes, then it could earn about 6.2 billion in taxes. The government spends billions in hiring enforcement teams, carrying out raids and seizures, imprisoning the offenders, carrying out due processes of the law and this cost the exchequer a heft amount of more than 7 billion USD. This amount could be saved and it would also result in reducing crowding in jails and reduce the pressure on the judicial system and the judiciary. No reply has been received by the authors of the letter from the government that continues to treat marijuana as a hard drug. Moffatt (2008) points out that the current street rate for a 0.5-gram pouch of marijuana is about 8.6 USD while the actual manufacturing and transportation cost is less than 1.7 USD for the same amount. The margin of profit is about 7 USD or more than seven times, this factor makes it tempting for criminals to enter the trade, and the drug network is underground but very active and vicious. However, if the substance were legalized, then the supply and demand gap would be quickly reduced and criminals would abandon the drug since it would not be lucrative anymore. It is also possible for governments to enforce taxes of 7 USD per 5 gram. Such a tax would ensure that the street price remains the same and the government retains the tax profits. 2. Medical Reasons for Legalizing Marijuana Nutt (2007), from the University of Bristol has prepared an exhaustive report on the addition, potential harm and toxicity of marijuana. According to the report, currently in UK, marijuana is classified as a C category of drug while Heroin, Cocaine and Ecstasy are placed at the A category. The report also calls Cannabis or marijuana as non-addictive and with a lesser potential for addiction than cigarettes and alcohol. Marijuana has been used in the treatment of more than 13 types of diseases such as reducing the Aids wasting syndrome, arthritis and other debilitating diseases. Too much of anything, even water can cause discomfort and sickness so one should always take substance in moderation. Marijuana is used as a treatment to reduce Aids wasting where victims of Aids are treated to the substance so that their hunger is increased and they can eat more. In terms of cancer patient who undergo chemotherapy sessions, the experience vomiting and nausea. In such cases, marijuana can help to fight these feelings and diseases. Arthritis patients with painful swelling of joints and degeneration of the cartilage and joint bones. Marijuana has some chemicals that reduce the swelling and pain and brings relief to the patient (ProCon.Org, 2009). 3. Bad Effects of Marijuana It is also true that marijuana acts as a gateway drug that leads to hard drug abuse. This may not be a rule but incidents have been observed. There are other problems like short term memory loss, dreamy and far away look, loss of ability to concentrate and so on. Mouldy marijuana that is infected should not be smoked as it causes severe infection of the lungs and the nasal passage. However, such precautions are true for cigarettes and other items also (ProCon.Org, 2009). 4. Conclusion The paper has examined certain facts related to smoking marijuana. Some of the world famous economists have pointed out that legalizing marijuana would help the US government to save more than 7.6 billion USD and also earn billions more in tax revenues. The current legal system of arresting people who may posses small amount of the drug for personal use has unfortunately set many people on the path of crime. The government also spends billions in enforcing the ban on marijuana. The paper has also examined the medical use and effects of marijuana. It is seen that the substance is less addictive than alcohol and tobacco. It can also be used for treatment of a number of seriousness illnesses. The consensus is that a ‘joint’ of marijuana occasionally uplifts the spirits, makes the consumer be in good spirits and increases the appetite. Hence, marijuana should not be banned but it should be legalized and sold in a controlled and regulated manner. References Miron Jeffrey A, (June 2005), The Budgetary Implications of Marijuana Prohibition, Retrieved 21 June 2009 from http://www.prohibitioncosts.org/mironreport.html Moffatt Mike, (2008), Should Governments Legalize and Tax Marijuana? Retrieved 21 June 2009 from http://economics.about.com/od/incometaxestaxcuts/a/marijuana.htm Nutt David, (2007), Development of a rational scale to assess the harm of drugs of potential misuse, Retrieved 21 June 2009 from http://www.antiproibizionisti.it/public/docs/thelancet_20070323.pdf ProCon.Org, (2009), Should marijuana be a medical option? Retrieved 21 June 2009 from http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=1325 Read More