Abstract
This paper focuses on the exorbant cost to society in regards to the criminal justice system of law enforcement, prosecution and incarceration of citizens in regards to marijuana. The actual monetary cost of not only lost revenue in the form of taxation and regulation but the inherent benefits that both state and federal government overlook will be taken into account. Marijuana is the third most popular recreational drug in America (behind only alcohol and tobacco), and has been used by nearly 100 million Americans
("About marijuana," 2010). I hope to convince the reader as to why the legalization of marijuana would benefit society instead of criminalizing a natural substance that has been