Legalization of Marrijuana Essay Example

individuals, potentially causing financial ruin. Additionally, there are claims that the government profits from illegal drug trade through drug busts. A recent Gallup Poll shows that nearly half of Americans have personal connections to drug use, with 28% describing it as moderate and 29% as a serious addiction. Those who know someone with a drug problem are mostly from higher income households and predominantly white. Drug problems affect individuals from various backgrounds - both poor and rich, suburban and urban, across different minority groups. The impact of drugs on Americans is widespread. Legalizing marijuana would generate new tax revenue for the government due to its significant sales potential; however, setting any price for it could result in impurities similar to those found in cigarettes. Law enforcement agencies consider multiple perspectives when dealing with drug-related issues, including financial considerationsLaw enforcement agencies spend a significant amount of money annually on drug enforcement. However, it is important to note that a portion of the seized funds is returned to their department, effectively offsetting their expenses. Another perspective considers the potential decline in drug-related crime if drugs were legalized. This would involve preventing dangerous drug transactions, eliminating prostitution driven by substance abuse, and putting an end to individuals profiting from others' pain and suffering. Such changes would result in a substantial decrease in fatalities not only in impoverished areas but also in wealthier ones.

The purity of drugs is also a crucial factor to consider. If marijuana was legalized and regulated by the government, it would likely be purer compared to its current state. In cases where this is not true, individuals would have legal recourse at their disposal. Furthermore,

the likelihood of overdosing on marijuana is highly improbable according to heart surgeon Dr.[Name]. Benson B. Roe from the University of California at San Francisco argues that using pure marijuana without other drug combinations poses fewer problems. He suggests that illegal drugs should be legalized as they are no more detrimental than most legal substances. Although he acknowledges the negative impact drugs have on health, Roe believes they are not as malevolent, addictive, or poisonous as commonly perceived.Legalization would have several benefits, including ensuring the purity of drugs, reducing drug-related crimes, saving on law enforcement costs, and generating additional tax revenue. According to a study conducted by the Nixon administration on Marijuana, it was concluded that it is no worse than cigarettes. However, William J. Olson, a former deputy assistant at the Department of State and current senior fellow at the National Strategy Information Center disagrees with this perspective. Olson believes that drugs cause significant health issues and legalizing them would lead to increased drug use and abuse resulting in higher healthcare costs for the nation. He compares drug use to participating in dangerous sports where one is bound to get injured eventually.

In November 1996, California and Arizona both presented statewide ballot propositions regarding medical marijuana to voters who agreed that it should be permitted for medical purposes. However, it's worth noting that by 1998,the Arizona legislature had effectively revoked this proposition in their state. Law enforcement officials in California have implemented various innovative strategies to address their new law while other states closely observe their experimental approach. The implications of this law are still not fully understood, but the debate about its advantages continues.According

to Nick Gillespie, a senior editor of Reason magazine, the passage of medical marijuana initiatives challenges the excessively anti-drug stance taken by current war on drugs policies. Gillespie suggests that legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes may lead to a broader rejection of the war on drugs as leaders adopt new strategies and acknowledge the deceptive nature of their rhetoric.

In an interview with grandmothers, Sophie acknowledged that drug use was prevalent during her time but not widely publicized as it is today, leaving many people unaware of them. She recalled how individuals openly used drugs without consequences from law enforcement, even engaging in activities like rolling or smoking them in parks or streets. Sophie opposes marijuana legalization because she believes it would encourage some individuals to use it more extensively since they would view it as socially acceptable behavior.

In regards to the government's motive for legalizing marijuana, she believed it was solely driven by financial gain and disregarded any potential harm it may cause, similar to their approach with cigarettes. This disregard for public health was also mentioned in relation to the accessibility of drugs as a reason for legalization and generating revenue.

On the other hand, Marge, another grandmother interviewed, had no memory of drugs during her time and did not have a stance on marijuana legalization.Despite differing views, this report highlights conflicting opinions on marijuana legalization that hold merit but are contradictory. Personally, I find the perspectives of medical professionals, doctors, and the government quite persuasive as they all express support for certain aspects of legalization. Even Doctor Roe acknowledges the lack of conclusive evidence regarding its harm to the body and cites a study

by the Nixon administration that found it no worse than cigarettes. Some young people also raise valid points suggesting that if marijuana were legalized, many youths would be discouraged from using it due to decreased excitement associated with engaging in prohibited activities. From my standpoint, the opinions of government officials, members of law enforcement, and individuals in the medical field provide justification for legalization by implying it is not as harmful as commonly believed. I believe that if there weren't significant financial interests at stake for both the government and organized crime groups involved in drug trade operations, marijuana would have been legalized much earlier.