Legalizing Marijuana: Marijuana Has Got Advantages

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Legalizing Marijuana
Introduction
It has been regarded as a killer substance. In many countries, it is illegal and anybody found in its possession risks serving a jail term of not less than five years coupled with a hefty fine. However, looking at the other side of the coin marijuana is not entirely harmful. It has been proven effective in relieving pain for patients who suffer from chronic and terminal illnesses. While we all readily agree legalizing marijuana is not desirable, we must consider about the advantages it has on the society. This discussion looks at the other and little known side of marijuana and attempts to prove that marijuana has got advantages and thus should be legalized.
Background of Marijuana
Scientifically known as cannabis sativa, marijuana is a plant that contains a chemical that is psychoactive in nature. The plant which is classified as a drug is smoked to give an effect that aids to ‘cool’ the body nerves. Statistics indicate that among all other drugs that are available in the market, marijuana is the most abused, perhaps because it is more readily available than other drugs like heroine (Paul 14).
Use of marijuana began many decades back among the Chinese people after it was discovered to have a mild euphoria effect upon ingestion and thus proved effective reliever of pain. The use of marijuana later spread to other parts of the world, including the United States of America. In 1937, the government of America conducted several studies which revealed that marijuana had adverse effects on the body of a human being. Consequently, the Marijuana Act of 1937 was enacted whose main intention was to reduce the entry of marijuana in America by levying high taxes, a practice that was expected to see the production and subsequent use of marijuana terminated. This is when the controversy that surrounds marijuana began as some people felt that it was not right to make marijuana illegal considering the various benefits it has.
Advantages of Legalizing Marijuana (Paul 16-17).
If we were to toss the coin that is marijuana, we would see that there is another side to it. Marijuana is not harmful in its entirety. It has some advantages to it. The first advantage is that making marijuana legal will help reduce border violence between Mexico and United States of America. According to Rudolph (5-6), the reason why there is much violence between Mexico and United States of America is because marijuana is prohibited. The argument, therefore, is that legalizing of marijuana will help reduce this violence by up to 75%. According to Jeffrey Miron, prohibition of certain drugs like marijuana, whose demand in the society is high only creates violence as the sellers and buyers are not able to resolve their disputes amicably. Jeffrey, a senior lecturer at the University of Harvard cites the violence that was experienced when alcohol had been prohibited during the era of Prohibition. However, this violence ceased when alcohol was legalized (Rudolph 7-8).
Another advantage from which the federal government of the United States of America will get to reap big is the fact that the legalization of marijuana will see the government saving up to $7.7 billion, a hefty amount that was previously used in prohibition of marijuana. Looking at the staggering figures that have been used in the prohibition of marijuana use in the past, it becomes apparent that the government has been losing a lot and this could be saved if marijuana was to be legalized (Mitchelle 10-11). A study conducted by economist Stephen Easton of Fraser Institute has given a breakdown of the kind of economic benefit that the government is likely to reap if marijuana was legalized. According to the study, an assumption is made that a unit of marijuana, which is approximately 0.5 grams has a street price of $8.60 with the cost of production being $ 1.70. This means that the profit realized from a unit of marijuana is $6.90. Once the entrepreneurs get to notice the high profits, they will quickly seize the opportunity so as to increase the amount of marijuana in the market. When the supply of marijuana increases, the prices will fall so as to bridge the gap that exists between the actual price and the cost of production. Usually this does not happen as entrepreneurs are afraid of being caught and jailed. Easton is of the opinion that if marijuana was to be legalized the excess profits brought about by risk premium will be transferred to the government. This study has also emphasized on the creation of employment be legalizing marijuana (Alison and Janet, p.92). There are many youths and middle aged people who are not in employment and the government seems unable to find them employment. However, legalizing marijuana will open up many employment opportunities and this will contribute positively to the economy of the country.
Yet another advantage that will be derived from legalizing marijuana, which steps from the previously discussed advantage is that by legalizing this drug, the federal government can levy tax on the sale of this drug and this would mean that a lot more in terms of revenue would be collected. Looking at the street value of marijuana, it is without a doubt that it is one of the most expensive drugs. This in essence means that legalizing this drug so that it is sold openly will fetch the government high taxes and there will be a revenue projection (Mitchelle 13).
According to Mitchelle (15-16), researchers state another advantage of legalizing marijuana is that it will reduce the street worth of the drug and thus make it less expensive. As already mentioned, currently, the street value of marijuana is quite high. This makes it hard to obtain, especially for those who need it for medicinal use. Marijuana has been said to be effective in reducing the severity of illnesses like cancer and AIDS. It also helps to stimulate appetite, while at the same time reducing nausea among patients. Studies conducted by various scientists have proven true the claims that marijuana is able to reduce experienced by patients who suffer from terminal illnesses.
In his book Free to Choose, Milton Friedman, who is an ardent supporter of legalization of marijuana has given a critical opinion regarding the current stand taken by the federal government on marijuana. Milton joined 500 economists in signing an open letter addressed to the president and the congress citing the various benefits that would be reaped by the people of America upon the legalization of marijuana. Others who signed the letter include Walter Williams of George Mason University, Nobel Laureate George Akerlof and Howard Margolis of Chicago University (Rudolph 10).
According to Robert (1), studies show that the hemp plant from which marijuana originates is a natural resource, that can be used productively in agriculture. However, due to the confusion and controversy that surrounds the hemp plant, most people the world over shy away from exploiting the agricultural use of ...