Just today, Colorado legalized the sale of recreational marijuana. So is this a step forward, or a step back? We already know that the "War on Drugs" has failed miserably. Illegal drug use has risen, and still is rising in America. Unsurprisingly, the main illegal drug being used is Marijuana. So is the legalization of pot the right move?
When you look at both sides, it seems to me that it is the right move. Marijuana, in comparison to other drugs such as heroin and cocaine, is much much less dangerous. There is a very low lethality rate, and weed even has been proven to have numerous medical benefits. The United States is currently funneling hundreds of millions of dollars into the fight against Marijuana use. This money, in my opinion, could be spent better elsewhere. These funds would be much more useful were they to be used towards economical funding, or even fighting the use of other, more dangerous drugs. Secondly, the marijuana industry would be much more strictly regulated, and the use of dangerous chemicals and additives in pot would decrease substantially, as users would no longer be forced to go to underground criminal drug dealers. Right now, as you probably now, the illegal drug industry is positively booming, Drug dealers frequently add harmful chemicals to their products. When consumers no longer have to resort to these dealers for their pot, the overall danger will dramatically decrease. Finally, Government revenue would increase exponentially were weed to be legalized. Now, with only licensed dispensaries being able to dispense marijuana, we would be able to collect taxes and tap into a previously untouched business.
The opponents of marijuana legalization will state that marijuana is harmful. However, we must realize that cigarettes, which have already been proven to be more harmful, and just as addictive as marijuana, are already legalized. We must allow the people to make a conscious decision, and if they decide upon a path that is not right for them, who are we to judge? In my opinion, I do believe that the state of Colorado has made the right decision in lifting the prohibition on Marijuana. Although there is no doubt that there are many negative effects of marijuana, as well as positive, we must allow the consumer to make a choice about their own life.
Take Care,
Political Polce
No!!!!! Hemp needs to be decriminalized however the implications of doing so would be mind blowing. For doing so could be the first step in the recovery of our great nation. But before all the stoner's cry 4:20 lets talk about what industries would suffer from doing so. Industries that are influential in the infrastructure of this nation have always and will always fight this issue tooth and nail because they have the money to do so. Lets look at a few key facts 1st: Hemp has numerous medicinal benefits / But there is no money in curing things like cancer when you can be medicated all the way to the grave. 2nd: Since before 1940 the technology to make textiles from hemp that were as strong as steel and less then half the weight have existed. / Factories could be retooled and people could go back to work if that didn't mean the timber, steel, & agriculture Industries would suffer. 3rd: Hemp oil that is a byproduct of textiles can be refined to run engines / the last time this was brought up thousands of gallons of gasoline were dumped in a river in protest. So until the people who want to see this happen can afford to lobby these points and grease the political palms better then the industries that would suffer the dreams of legalization & the recovery of our great nation will remain just that
ReplyDeleteA dream !
You do have a great point. The major industries here have enormous lobbying power, and although legalizing would have enormous economic advantages, until proponents of legalization have the money to lobby, it may never happen. Thanks!
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