Every year, four hundred and thirty five thousand Americans die from tobacco related deaths, most often difficult and tragic battles with lung cancer.  Eighty five thousand die from alcohol related deaths, usually from over consumption that leads to seizures, irregular breathing, and hypothermia.  Not a single person has died due to the use of marijuana in the United States.  Aspirin kills more each year than the cannabis plant.  These statistics should open eyes to those who consider the drug “harmful”.  The simple truth is: Marijuana is not a harmful drug.  Marijuana or cherry pie, a nice sativa is not something the public cannot handle.  Marijuana is not something to be afraid of.  There is no legitimate reason for it to be outlawed in the US.  The truth behind cannabis consumption has been twisted and distorted throughout the years, and it is time for the public to be enlightened.

Prohibitionists say marijuana is an “addictive” substance that will eventually dominate the life of the user.  Couldn’t you say the very same about videogames, social networks, or cell phones?  Addiction can be dangerous in any case, and in the end it always depends on the inclinations of the user.  If someone cannot handle themselves, they should refrain from the use of drugs all together, or learn self control.  Then, there are those who say marijuana has “no medical benefits”.  Not only is this false, since when is only that which is healthy legal in this country?  According to this argument sitting down in front of a television with a bag of potato chips in one hand and a can of soda in the other is healthier for the human body than marijuana, which has been used to ease the incurable pains of such illnesses as glaucoma and cancer.  The benefits simply outweigh the risks, and now that the truth of the effects of marijuana are fully understood, it is time to make a change.

The man who found a passion in getting marijuana illegalized in the early 1900s was Harry J. Anslinger, former head of the Bureau of Narcotics, who saw it as a great opportunity to advance his own career.  Mr. Anslinger had a theory about marijuana: “There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz, and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and any others”.  This method of thinking is what founded the marijuana laws we have today.  A lack of education leads to ignorance.  Ignorance leads to racism.  Racism leads ridiculous laws, even if the object of the law is not fully understood, such as those instated for marijuana.  It is time to be less stubborn, and accept what the knowledge of today discredits what was once thought to be true.

Years of misinformation on the consumption of the cannabis plant has given it a bad light that it does not deserve, and it is time for the public to be enlightened.  Some day this country will look back on the laws of today and wonder why we would ever choose to keep them in place, just as is done with the prohibition of alcohol in the early 20^th century.  The initiative must be taken; organizations must be formed, bills written up, and petitions signed.  If a person chose not to consume marijuana if it is ever legalized, then that is perfectly fine.  However, what they should know is that they will most likely see the benefits from legalization no matter what their preference.  Cannabis has the potential to be a top cash crop, and introducing it to the market of the United States would give the country just the boost it needed to lift us out of recession and reduce the trillions of dollars of national debt that is owed. So this begs the question is: What are we waiting for?