Legalization of Marijuana
Legalization of Marijuana
Peter Hsieh
West Coast University
Marijuana, also known as cannabis, can be found hundreds of century ago. Cannabis is mixture of dry green and brown flowers, stems and seeds that contains the chemical ingredient delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC for short (Marijuana 2012). Marijuana is one of the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse and other government agencies, almost 100 million Americans have tried the drug once in their lifetime. And in 2009, 28.5 million Americans age 12 and older have used marijuana at least once (Marijuana 2012). Based on these statistics, prohibition of marijuana is not working. As matter of fact, it actually increased its usage because of its “forbidden fruit” effect and it is easier for minors get than cigarette and alcohol. In addition, keeping marijuana illegal is costing taxpayers millions of dollars each year to keep marijuana offenders in jail. In essence, the legalization of marijuana will not only help the state of California generate more revenue but it will keep the state’s important services alive as well as, bring about more stringent control on marijuana and help local law enforcement focus on more violent crimes. California has been in a state of financial crisis since the collapsed of the housing market in recent years. The state needs money to be able to sustain itself from collapsing. One way to generate billions of dollars each year is to tax Marijuana sales. According to Harvard Economics professor Jeffery Miron , if we replace prohibition with regulation and taxation of marijuana , it will help the state generate 14 billions of dollars each year (Miron 2005). By legalizing it, it can help the state generate millions of dollars each year to cut down the state deficits and keep the State important services alive. In addition, it will help California get back on its feet.
Peter Hsieh
West Coast University
Marijuana, also known as cannabis, can be found hundreds of century ago. Cannabis is mixture of dry green and brown flowers, stems and seeds that contains the chemical ingredient delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC for short (Marijuana 2012). Marijuana is one of the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse and other government agencies, almost 100 million Americans have tried the drug once in their lifetime. And in 2009, 28.5 million Americans age 12 and older have used marijuana at least once (Marijuana 2012). Based on these statistics, prohibition of marijuana is not working. As matter of fact, it actually increased its usage because of its “forbidden fruit” effect and it is easier for minors get than cigarette and alcohol. In addition, keeping marijuana illegal is costing taxpayers millions of dollars each year to keep marijuana offenders in jail. In essence, the legalization of marijuana will not only help the state of California generate more revenue but it will keep the state’s important services alive as well as, bring about more stringent control on marijuana and help local law enforcement focus on more violent crimes. California has been in a state of financial crisis since the collapsed of the housing market in recent years. The state needs money to be able to sustain itself from collapsing. One way to generate billions of dollars each year is to tax Marijuana sales. According to Harvard Economics professor Jeffery Miron , if we replace prohibition with regulation and taxation of marijuana , it will help the state generate 14 billions of dollars each year (Miron 2005). By legalizing it, it can help the state generate millions of dollars each year to cut down the state deficits and keep the State important services alive. In addition, it will help California get back on its feet.