I will be traveling to Denver, Colorado in a few months
for business. I’ve been before and have
always enjoyed my time there, but this will be the first time I’ve been since
they legalized marijuana. Colorado’s law
legalizing the drug for recreational use became effective January 1st
of this year. Colorado residents can
purchase up to 1 ounce and out-of-state visitors can buy .25 ounce during their
stay. Colorado expects to take in $184
million in tax revenue in just the first 18 months.
I’ve blogged before about the economic benefits of
legalizing marijuana, even if only for medicinal uses. If you’re interested in reading my thoughts
and your fellow students’ comments, you can click here: http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2009/10/can-marijuana-save-te-economy.html
However, despite the fact that legalizing
marijuana may provide much needed revenue, opponents say legalizing pot will
only add to social woes; increasing crime, drug addiction, mental health
disorders, and driving up insurance rates.
So my question to you this week is "Should the United States
legalize marijuana, medicinally or otherwise?" Answers are due by Sunday,
March 2nd, 2014. P.S. And for those you who are bound to ask – the answer
is “No – I won’t be smoking while I’m there! I’m too afraid of employment drug
tests! J”
I do not think that the United Stated should legalize marijuana. I do not think marijuana is a substance that should be allowed permissible in open areas. Although I think marijuana should not be legalized, I do think its use should be designated toward certain social areas. Take for instance Hookah bars, bars, smoking areas and dining areas that still allow smoking. These specified areas allow the use of certain substances and activities that are not regularly used by every citizen. Having establishments allocated toward the marijuana users does not completely isolate using marijuana out of recreation. And just like with these establishments we have today for Hookah bars, bars, and smoke area attendants, they have to take care of what happens next. If they commit any act against the law while under the influence, they should be charged with the crime and being under the influence to demonstrate to others that a privilege to begin permitting more drug using can still be held against violators. To the comment on marijuana legalization increasing car insurance rate I think is relatable. Think about all the accidents filed under driving under the influence, and because marijuana is not a substance that benefits user’s conditions, it can become another effect to accident cases. As for crime related commentary, marijuana is a valuable resource for those that sell it and use it. It has made its own capital without having to be legal. If marijuana were legalized, business may begin to for, and if they begin to mess with the public’s ego, just as they’ve done with multiple resources, things may not be taken lightly in the marijuana demographic. People can become petty if they feel taking advantage of. If marijuana is going to be allowed, it should be allowed under strict user guidelines.
ReplyDeleteOf course it should be legalized. To begin marijuana has benefits as an economic product and as medicine. it has been shown to reduce and inhibit cancer cell growth and help in the treatment of glocoma nausea, stress and several other ailments. Furthermore it can be used, very well, as materials for clothes, rope, rubber products and other textiles, which are biodegradeable. As for the recreational use it should be treated with the same regard and responsibility as alcohol. Smoking marijuana is just as, if not less, harmful than alcohol to the human body, and is much less harmful and addictive than cigarettes. The fact that these substances are legal and marijuana is not is just ridiculous. The tax income of selling marijuana is undeniably positive. As for the crime rate going up, legalizing marijuana would keep the illegal distribution of marijuana from happening almost completely. it has been shown to aid in the treatment of many mental illnesses, and has been proven to be non physically addictive. The fears projected on the plant are completely outdated and unsubstantiated. The legalization may cause an increase in a few elements of insurance however no more than alcohol or cigarettes. The only down side to legalizing marijuana lies in the irresponsible people who will abuse it, which they would do anyway, at least with a taxable product they can contribute back to society that way.
ReplyDeleteI dont think they should legalize marijuana. I think this may cause many problems such as more drug crimes, more health problems, and more taxes. I feel legalizing it will cause more problems, i think this will be a easier way for people to get it all the time. Also i think most people are not going to use marijuana for medical purposes. I understand its not as bad as cigarettes, but there are cons and pros.
ReplyDeleteThere should be a much more strict way.
For us joking about it, it's a serious matter onto things else wise. Crimes, addictions, health problems, etc. Though, not to be sure about having it legal. That would make it even worst for taxes and abuse it. I know we would try to strict this bill, it doesn't seem that bad. I remember hearing about a bill in Indiana, that they banned smoking in some public places. I was glad on that bill, because smelling cigarette smoke. Not a good combo with me. People want to smoke, I get that. Pot smokers are no good. So on second thought maybe legalize it, might not be bad for me or the environment.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Gabriel. He pretty much took the words out of my mouth. To add onto the whole crime issue, everyone on this planet abuses alcohol, as well as other drugs, so it would be no different. People rebel against the law, it's that simple. If you legalize it, then people will no longer feel that they need to sneak around. At this day in age there are many people who smoke and there always have been. Granted, it's increased in the past couple years, but pot has been around for a long time. It's really does help with medical issues and in general is a good way for everyone to just relax for a little bit. People get too uptight. The only downside of someone being able to buy pot is if they can go to someone who illegally distributes it and gain a lot more than the legal amount in the legalized states. It can become extremely expensive and lead to many issues including bill paying, food consumption (not eating enough, which goes against what it does to you, but still...) and just letting things around you go downhill because you would rather spend $60 on pot than food you need to survive. BUT. I do think that it should be legalized.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that marijuana should be legalized because it is illegal. If it was to be legalized, people will start to abuse it. What Gabriel said in his response is . exactly what a childhood friend of mine would say. He goes on tangents about it everyday on Facebook about all the good benefits there are how people should be on the same page about legalizing it. I'm totally against it regardless of all that health benefits there are and all the benefits them for other products and whatnot. It is illegal for a reason and I believe that people would abuse its "power".
ReplyDeleteHonestly smoking weed is just apart of so many peoples lives now that most could care less if they legalized it or not because regardless of the decision people have been and always will smoke if they like it, which most smokers clearly do. The health benefits are great but the feeling of just being in the clouds is a bonus for most. in my opinion I cant say they should or shouldn't because I think it will be used inevitably. I'm not a smoker but I wouldn't have a problem with them legalizing marijuana because its been around for so long and people don't follow the law anyway.
ReplyDeleteEverything is good for you, but if you consume too much of any one item it becomes bad for you. This works for everything if marijuana was legalized, all the positive opinions about marijuana would be meaningless if used too much in a daily life. My opinion is that if a state wants to legalize marijuana for their own benefits then let it be.
ReplyDeleteAlcohol used to be prohibited too. People abused it then and they abuse it now.
ReplyDeleteGuys, logically and realistically it doesn't matter if something - anything! - is illegal or legal, there are and always will be people who abuse it. So saying it should or shouldn't be legal because of the abuse possibilities is just...it doesn't matter. It currently is and will be abused no matter what.
I honestly don't know enough about the health and medical aspects of give an educated opinion about that part.
my answer is nooooooooo!!!!!! they should not legalize marijuana because its not meant to be smoked just because. it for medical reasons and if that mean that the doctor requests you to smoke then so be it but keep in mind that its only for MEDICAL reasons. not for just getting high
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is anything wrong with legalizing marijuana. If we legalize it and tax it this could really benefit and make a huge profit. It shouldn't just be ok if its for medical use. Do we have to have a medical card for alcohol? No. Weed is a lot more harmless than alcohol and people can function perfectly fine while high. If we don't legalize weed we might as well make alcohol illegal. It has its ups and downs just like everything but the direction our country has gone with other substances being perfectly legal we cant just eliminate weed when we have more harmful drugs out there for anyone to buy.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that the legalization of weed would be a bad thing for our country, regardless of whether or not it's legal people are still going to find ways to get and use it. If the U.S legalizes it then it would save us a ton of money that we waste every year locking up people who use it and collecting the taxes from the sales.
ReplyDeletei think that it should be legalized due to the fact that id it is legalized we could use hemp to replace cotton and wood paper which would help with the deforestation
ReplyDeleteI agree with marcellus. It doesnt matter if they legalize marijuana or not. Real smokers are gonna find a way to smoke. If they legalize weed all that mean is that it will be taxed and stuff. The up side is that you can smoke it and not worry about getting in trouble. Me being pro marijuana I hope it does past though. It would be something that America need.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that marijuana should be legal both for medicinal use and for recreation. I think that there should be a strong federal tax and strong state tax to reduce the debt. It would be nice to think that my tax dollars are going to better use than locking up people for using marijuana.
ReplyDeleteAlcohol was prohibited at a point in time in history. It was abused by many and some even used it as an excuse to commit a crime. It has been proven that if you drink to much you can cause damage to your liver and yet people still drink. Tobacco has been shown to cause cancerous growths and yet people still smoke. Realistically it doesn't matter if marijuana is legal or illegal, there will always be people who abuse it. Legalizing marijuana will provide revenue, but it is the same as cigarettes. I don't feel it will add to social woes by increasing crime, drug addiction, mental health disorders, and it will especially not drive insurance rates up more than they are now.
ReplyDeletehmm .. I feel like who cares anymore this been in the air for some time now and I think im just over it by now legalize it or don't its not like people aren't gonna just stop doing it it seems like l it more of an issue being illegal then it is going to be legal so just do it legalize it I mean every other drug in the world that does way more damage already is
ReplyDeleteI agree that marijuana should be legal across the United States. They would benefit so much from the tax revenue. I personally do not smoke weed but know many people that do and I would much rather them smoke weed then do any other drug. It is a natural drug and do not see the big deal.
ReplyDeleteI think it should be legalized for medicinal use, and by perscription. To be perfectly honest I've already asked my husband to buy me some if I ever get cancer and go through chemo.
ReplyDeleteI think if people stopped making such a big deal out of it it wouldn't BE such a big deal, it would be just like every other prescription drug that is very effective when used correctly, but is harmful when not taken in the right doses and for the right reasons.
Honestly, if weed is legal i feel like the crime and drug rate may drop, but they also say it is a gate way drug so it may elevate. in my opinion it doesnt really matter
ReplyDeleteI agree with William if weed is legalized then there wouldn't be a huge push to smuggle it in. Nor would people get arrested as much as they do for posestion, use, or destribution. I believe it to be healthier than cigs also it has medicinal purposes or uses
ReplyDeleteYes, the United States should legalize marijuana. We are spending more money trying to make sure people are not using it than the potential risks it has. Legalizing marijuana would contribute to the repair of the United States' debt. Colorado has reported no significant problems after they have made marijuana legal. In fact, reports of crime activity have went down in many reports. Alcohol is much more dangerous than marijuana; HANDS DOWN.
ReplyDelete