Marijuana Is Not a Social Problem
Group A: Marijuana use is NOT a social problem There are many appealing things about the legalization of Marijuana. Marijuana is no more harmful than alcohol, and yet we allow people over the age of 21 to drink, so why not smoke? The marijuana industry could have huge benefits on all of society. It has the potential to bring in a large amount of tax income in a time we need money, it can take down illegal criminal organizations, and stop people from being thrown in jail for something that doesn’t hurt anyone.
If marijuana became legalized the government could charge sales tax which would just be another source of income that is severely needed right now. The “Nation” said that California over $105 million dollars in tax revenues from medical marijuana. That is a lot of valuable money our government could be using, especially in a time where the government desperately needs money. It could also save the government money; the “Nation” suggests in the state of California alone it could save “several hundred million dollars a year as the state absented itself from the business of anti-pot enforcement”. George Soros agrees with the Nation on this position.
Also, if marijuana was legalized the government could regulate the marijuana which would help ensure that it is not harmful. If the government monitored the chemicals that went into the drug and the strength, then it would become a much safer drug. It could also be used to help people medically, as California has started to do. It appears that many more people are coming around to the idea because the “Nation” says that about 46% of people support the idea which is a record high. The legalization of marijuana will also help keep good kids out of jail. The arrests being made because of marijuana show larger society problems, George Soros says, “African-Americans are no more likely than other Americans to use marijuana but they are three, five or even 10 times more likely—depending on the city—to be arrested
If marijuana became legalized the government could charge sales tax which would just be another source of income that is severely needed right now. The “Nation” said that California over $105 million dollars in tax revenues from medical marijuana. That is a lot of valuable money our government could be using, especially in a time where the government desperately needs money. It could also save the government money; the “Nation” suggests in the state of California alone it could save “several hundred million dollars a year as the state absented itself from the business of anti-pot enforcement”. George Soros agrees with the Nation on this position.
Also, if marijuana was legalized the government could regulate the marijuana which would help ensure that it is not harmful. If the government monitored the chemicals that went into the drug and the strength, then it would become a much safer drug. It could also be used to help people medically, as California has started to do. It appears that many more people are coming around to the idea because the “Nation” says that about 46% of people support the idea which is a record high. The legalization of marijuana will also help keep good kids out of jail. The arrests being made because of marijuana show larger society problems, George Soros says, “African-Americans are no more likely than other Americans to use marijuana but they are three, five or even 10 times more likely—depending on the city—to be arrested
Cited: ABRAMSKY, SASHA. "Altered State." EBSCO Publishing Service Selection Page. 27 Dec. 2010. Web. 25 Jan. 2011. <http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?hid=17&sid=b10c458b-310d-4a2e-817f-95344721bbfc@sessionmgr114&vid=3>. Soros, George. "George Soros: Why I Support Legal Marijuana." Business News & Financial News - The Wall Street Journal - WSJ.com. 26 Oct. 2010. Web. 25 Jan. 2011. <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303467004575574450703567656.html>.