Legalization of Marijuana Would Solve Economic Problems
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 20th 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?
Doctor • Jan 10, 2011 at 3:37 pm
clearly you didnt read the above comment “pushing it”. it was not reading before driving it was reading while driving which if you have ever driven on an interstate is noticeably quite popular. also driving while high does not impair ones ability to operate a vehicle. there are studies out that show my case (look them up). i would place a bet that driver that just smoked a reasonable amount of cannabis would drive better than someone who is a) sleep deprived b) amped up on 3 red bulls or c) over the age of 70. realize that millions of people smoke cannabis everyday and most probably drive their cars while under the influence yet how often do you hear about some stoner causing a 12 car pile up on I90? never thats because it doesnt happen. high drivers should be the last ‘type’ of drivers that you need to worry about. top of the list should be drunk, texting, and old drivers. -doctor out
Pushing it • Jan 9, 2011 at 12:17 pm
Comparing books to marijuana is truly incomprehendable…can reading 5 minutes before driving kill? Does reading 5 minutes before driving slow reaction time and impair one’s ability to operate a vehichle? That is rediculous
Ed • Dec 24, 2010 at 4:46 am
“i could almost gaurentee that deaths have been directly caused by marijuana use in 2010…especially when people drive under the influence”
You’re misunderstanding the meaning of the word direct. Direct means as a direct cause of the use of the substance. Not as a consequence of using the substance, while doing something else which is inherently dangerous.
Reading while driving can kill. Should we outlaw books?
As this article points out, people who are a danger to themselves can be a danger to themselves with marijuana, just as they can be a danger to themselves with fatty food, cigarettes, alcohol, glue and anything else. You can’t protect someone from their own poor choices.
rebellion07 • Dec 21, 2010 at 11:15 pm
“A lack of education leads to ignorance. Ignorance leads to racism. Racism leads ridiculous laws”
I see you’re pulling the racism card; it’s a strong card to play although I’d say you’re using it at the wrong time here. Racism leads to a lot of things, but a whole lot of other things lead to ridiculous laws and not all of those other things are bad. Religion leads to ridiculous laws. Social norms lead to ridiculous laws. These things hold the fabric of society together, so it seems illogical or simply unfair to make that comparison. Yes, racism led to these laws, but the real problem was that the laws were based on individual politicians’ personal motives and spurred on by emotion, a point that you hinted at.
That being said, this is a good article. As a non-smoker who can be offered marijuana up to several times a week, I support the legalization of the drug. People should always take a good look at what the laws are actually doing and if it is producing the results that they are getting in their society (note that this is not buying into either the “Legalize it, it’s harmless!” or the “Reefer Madness” arguments, it’s taking an objective look at the facts rather than the emotion). If the laws aren’t doing that, it’s time to change the laws.
Legalizing marijuana isn’t going to solve the nation’s problems, but it’s a step in the right direction.
Cody Bailey • Dec 21, 2010 at 9:30 pm
i could almost gaurentee that deaths have been directly caused by marijuana use in 2010…especially when people drive under the influence