Name Here
Stevens Henager
Intro To Logic
May 9, 2014
Professor Here
Miron and Waldock also estimate that in 2008, states across the country spent a total of $25.7-billion on drug prohibition (net of seizures and fines). California by itself spent an astounding $5.4-billion (one-fifth of the national total) that year.
Of course, opponents of drug legalization argue that passage of the ballot would increase crime and ultimately worsen peoples ' health, rendering legalization a danger to public safety, offsetting the potential economic gains.
For example, The California Peace Officers Association, among many others, have criticized the initiative.
"The last thing we need is yet another mind-altering substance to be legalized," says John Lovell, a lobbyist for the California Peace Officers ' Association, told Time Magazine.
"We have enough problems with alcohol and abuse of pharmaceutical products. Do we really need to add yet another mind-altering substance to the array?"
The California Chamber of Commerce has also expressed its opposition to the legalization of marijuana, citing that drug users will not be able to perform at work and that passage could create a new class of protected California citizens. (Ghosh, 2011)
Primary reasons against legalizing marijuana are:
Social Reasons
Some Americans believe that marijuana ingestion is immoral, and that their moral standards should be required of all Americans.
Long-term or abusive use of marijuana can be harmful to a person 's health and well-being.
Second-hand smoke from marijuana can be harmful to others.
Many allege that regular marijuana use can lead to use of harder, more harmful drugs such as heroin and cocaine.
Law Enforcement Reasons
Some opponents of legalizing marijuana believe that individuals involved in illegal buying and selling of the drug are more likely than average to be involved in other crimes, and that society is safer with marijuana offenders incarcerated.
Law enforcement agencies don 't want to be construed as supporting drug use.
There are no signficant fiscal reasons against U.S. legalization of marijuana. (White, 2009)
References
Ghosh, P. R. (2011, October 11). The pros and cons of drug legalization in the U.S. Retrieved from http://m.ibtimes.co.uk/drugs-marijuana-california-legalization-73582.html
White, D. (2009). Pros & Cons of Legalizing Marijuana. Retrieved from http://usliberals.about.com/od/patriotactcivilrights/i/MarijuanaProCon_2.htm
References: Ghosh, P. R. (2011, October 11). The pros and cons of drug legalization in the U.S. Retrieved from http://m.ibtimes.co.uk/drugs-marijuana-california-legalization-73582.html White, D. (2009). Pros & Cons of Legalizing Marijuana. Retrieved from http://usliberals.about.com/od/patriotactcivilrights/i/MarijuanaProCon_2.htm
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