Using Sources
Using Sources
Why should marijuana be legalized? There are many reasons but a few are because of its medicinal value, that it would stimulate the economy, and it would lower crime. I plan to use the following information for the body of my final paper. One of the most supported reasons for legalizing marijuana is its medicinal value. Herbs were used before all the advanced medicines we have today and use of marijuana for medical reasons date back almost 5,000 years (Norml). As for U.S. history, it has been used since the mid-1800s but was taken out of pharmacies in 1937 due to the Marihuana Tax Act. The list of medical uses for marijuana is extensive and includes treatment for pain, epilepsy, GI (gastro-intestinal) disorders, MS (multiple sclerosis), osteoporosis and Tourette’s syndrome. It is also used to help those with different types of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, HIV/AIDS and diabetes. Some very recent studies even show that marijuana can help those with Parkinson’s disease. However, medical benefits aren’t the only thing marijuana offers. Another much supported reason for the argument of legalization is the economic benefits it would bring. We can look at Colorado as an example. As most of us know, Colorado recently became the first state to legalize marijuana for recreational use. Some people would expect rioting and stoners walking everywhere, however, very little has changed. Not so easily said for the economy. At the turn of the New Year 24 dispensaries were opened statewide for the sale of recreational marijuana. Sales topped $1 million in the first day alone and $5 million in the first week. This means one thing: tax revenue. The state first estimated $70 million in tax revenue by the end of the year but even this would be raised to well over $90 million due to sales increases and more dispensaries being opened. If all the other states were to legalize marijuana, this could mean tax revenue in the billions. This is not all it would bring to
Why should marijuana be legalized? There are many reasons but a few are because of its medicinal value, that it would stimulate the economy, and it would lower crime. I plan to use the following information for the body of my final paper. One of the most supported reasons for legalizing marijuana is its medicinal value. Herbs were used before all the advanced medicines we have today and use of marijuana for medical reasons date back almost 5,000 years (Norml). As for U.S. history, it has been used since the mid-1800s but was taken out of pharmacies in 1937 due to the Marihuana Tax Act. The list of medical uses for marijuana is extensive and includes treatment for pain, epilepsy, GI (gastro-intestinal) disorders, MS (multiple sclerosis), osteoporosis and Tourette’s syndrome. It is also used to help those with different types of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, HIV/AIDS and diabetes. Some very recent studies even show that marijuana can help those with Parkinson’s disease. However, medical benefits aren’t the only thing marijuana offers. Another much supported reason for the argument of legalization is the economic benefits it would bring. We can look at Colorado as an example. As most of us know, Colorado recently became the first state to legalize marijuana for recreational use. Some people would expect rioting and stoners walking everywhere, however, very little has changed. Not so easily said for the economy. At the turn of the New Year 24 dispensaries were opened statewide for the sale of recreational marijuana. Sales topped $1 million in the first day alone and $5 million in the first week. This means one thing: tax revenue. The state first estimated $70 million in tax revenue by the end of the year but even this would be raised to well over $90 million due to sales increases and more dispensaries being opened. If all the other states were to legalize marijuana, this could mean tax revenue in the billions. This is not all it would bring to
Cited: Armentano, Paul. "Recent Research on Medical Marijuana." Norml. The Norml Foundation, 2013. Web. 11 Apr. 2014. Eubanks, Travis. "Economic Benefits from Legalizing Marijuana Will Draw Interest." Daily Nebraskan. Daily Nebraskan, 15 Jan. 2014. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. "Federal Laws & Penalties." Norml. The Norml Foundation, 2014. Web. 17 Apr. 2014. Levinson, Sean. "Tax Revenue From Weed In Colorado May Exceed $98 Million This Year, Could Become Billion Dollar Industry." Elite Daily. Elite Daily, 21 Feb. 2014. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. Nelson, Steven. "Police Made One Marijuana Arrest Every 42 Seconds in 2012." U.S. News. U.S. News & World Report, 16 Sept. 2013. Web. 17 Apr. 2014.