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1 Should The United States Legalize Marijuana Students Name Course Institution Tutor Name Date

2 Should The United States Legalize Marijuana Endorsing the legalization of Cannabis sativa within the confines of the United States has ignited an exceedingly contentious and comprehensive debate, unparalleled in its fervor in contemporary discursive annals. Compared to barely a third of people a generation ago, almost two-thirds of present-day Americans support its endorsement (Daniller, 2019). In the scholarly exploration under consideration, the primary aim revolves around the profound interrogation of the proposition, 'Is there a compelling rationale for the legalization of Cannabis sativa within the jurisdiction of the United States?' This paper embarks on an exhaustive disquisition, delving deeply into the multifaceted social, medicinal, and economic ramifications that the potential legalization of marijuana might precipitate within the United States. Economic The economic potential of legalizing marijuana is revealed best by analyzing the experiences of jurisdictions that have already taken this step. Inspiring case study material may be found in Colorado, a frontrunner in this movement. Following its legalization, citizens contributed nearly $387 million to the state treasury via taxes, licensing fees, and other related charges (Marijuana Tax Revenue, n.d.). As delineated in the Marijuana Tax Reports, Colorado's revenue streams from this sector are tripartite. Firstly, a state sales tax of 2.9% was levied on store-sold marijuana. Secondly, a retail marijuana sales tax of 15% is applied to its sale within Colorado's borders. The third conduit is the retail marijuana excise tax, exacting 15% on wholesale sales or transfers of the commodity. Predominantly, the fee influx is attributed to the charges associated with applying for and procuring a legitimate marijuana business license. This fiscal strategy has proven propitious for Colorado's economic framework, potentially serving as a commendable prototype for the nation.

3 The effects on the bottom line are essential, but they are not the only ones. According to Leafly.com (Whitney et al., 2022), the number of people working in the state-legalized cannabis market rose by 32% in the past year to more than 321,000 full-time workers. Between 2020 and 2021, the legally sanctioned cannabis sector created over 78,000 job openings. In an era where employment proliferation is pivotal for bolstering economic vitality, these statistics have transcended to a level of paramount significance and demand attention. A nuanced fiscal advantage that might not be immediately discernible is the prospective alleviation of burdens on the judiciary infrastructure. In myriad regions, marijuana consumption has been proscribed, culminating in an influx of cannabis-related litigations inundating the courts. Intriguingly, close to 90% of the American populace advocates for its decriminalization in some form (Pew Research Center, 2022b), underscoring a predominant consensus in favour of this stance. If marijuana was allowed, the police could focus on other, more critical crimes, and the courts would not have to punish drug criminals. If marijuana were legalized, police could refocus their efforts on other pressing crime problems, and the court system would be relieved of its responsibility to punish offenders. Social Benefits Legalizing marijuana may have profoundly beneficial societal effects beyond protecting individual liberties and touching on issues like racial inequality and crime rates. When viewed through a panoramic lens, it becomes palpable that the prevailing interdiction on marijuana might have magnified specific societal quandaries. Caulkins et al. (2015) posit that decriminalizing assorted cannabis varietals in the U.S. has been tethered to salubrious societal ramifications, encompassing diminished incidences of bellicose infractions and property transgressions.

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4 Particularly notable is the effect on crime rates. The prescription of marijuana has unequivocally precipitated an augmentation in malevolent conduct about its consumption and possession. Assertions have surfaced, suggesting that the move towards the decriminalization of marijuana in diverse jurisdictions serves as a calculated stratagem to curtail the clandestine marketplace and the sporadic acts of egregious violence intertwined with its distribution—data from a study conducted by the Rand Corporation back up this assertion. The result may be increased tax income for governments, which may be used to restructure economies and take money away from criminal organizations (Kilmer, 2015). If the sale of marijuana were not prohibited, maybe fewer crimes would include it. However, the problems that marijuana prohibition causes are not limited to the criminal justice system. The racial discrepancy in marijuana possession charges is a worrying trend. In light of the intricate socio-legal tapestry woven in the United States context, many scholars and concerned citizens have intently scrutinized the disparate consequences of law enforcement actions, particularly as they pertain to the African-American community. Such disparities are not merely anecdotal; empirical evidence underscores the assertion that various demographic factors —be they age, gender, hue of skin, or geographical domicile—materially influence the duration for which an individual might find themselves incarcerated for felonies associated with Cannabis sativa, colloquially referred to as marijuana (Thomas, 2022). There was an alarming discrepancy, elucidating that African Americans are apprehended for marijuana possession at a rate that is approximately 3.6 times greater than their Caucasian counterpart ( ACLU, n.d.). These dissimilarities highlight the fact that marijuana prohibition affects racial justice in addition to crime. These distinctions contribute to broader issues of systemic racism and, hence, worsen existing socioeconomic disparities. Furthermore, most Americans have altered their attitudes

5 about marijuana; the public's shift in sentiment demonstrates how seriously people consider legalization's potential social and economic benefits. Medical benefits Concerning the restorative utilization of cannabis, the University of California, San Francisco, has created an essential headway. This research clarified marijuana's notable effectiveness in reducing pain brought on by chemotherapy. Patients receiving cancer treatment often suffer nausea and vomiting, which may seriously impair their overall health and recuperation. However, studies from the University of California, San Francisco, showed that, in comparison to traditional medications, marijuana often provided better alleviation from similar symptoms. This research implies that marijuana usage may improve the post-chemotherapy recovery phase's tolerance. Marijuana's advantages are not limited to those experiencing side effects from chemotherapy. A massive piece of the total populace experiences chronic discomfort. Those grappling with debilitating conditions such as HIV/AIDS, spinal cord afflictions, and multiple sclerosis may occasionally discern that conventional medical paradigms do not offer the comprehensive alleviation they seek. In the scholarly chronicles of February 2007, an esteemed collective spearheaded by the illustrious Donald Abrams from the University of California elucidated the pioneering findings of a human exploration delving into the merits of cannabis as a potential panacea for the neuropathy induced by HIV. This revelation is a testament to this exigent ailment's epochal strides in medicinal evolutions. Further accentuating this perspective, profound academic scrutinizes, helmed by The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, underscore the potency of cannabis in assuaging the manifestations of this particular ailment (Saris et al., 2020). For chronic pain in adults, chemotherapy-induced nausea

6 and vomiting, and other conditions, cannabis and cannabinoids have shown conclusive or substantial evidence. It is encouraging that the recurrence of seizures in certain patients going through treatment for epilepsy has diminished by the use of medical Marijuana doses. People encountering post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) can benefit from this. Evidence for the drug's ability to significantly impact treatment continues to mount. Consideration of the drug's comparatively low hazards, especially when usage is moderate and monitored by a medical professional, bolsters the case for legalization. Counter Argument Despite widespread support for the legalization of marijuana stemming from numerous studies that emphasize its advantages, there remain those who hold an opposing viewpoint. Justifiable concerns are raised by those who oppose the drug regarding its potential adverse effects on health and society. Addiction is a significant issue that has to be addressed. About nine percent of regular marijuana users exhibit signs of dependency (NIDA, 2021). This pattern is exacerbated when considering younger users, with addiction growing considerably among those who start using in their teens. Concerns about marijuana's long-term consequences are heightened by these findings, especially if usage begins at a young age (National Institute on Drug Abuse). Marijuana's prospective side effects on the developing brain are pretty worrying. Teens and young adults growing brains are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of marijuana usage on areas such as attention, memory, motivation, and decision-making. These cognitive changes may hinder the capacity to study, advance in one's career, and have pleasure in one's life.

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7 In addition, this method of consumption is not without its health risks. Like smoking tobacco, partaking in weed discharges destructive substances into the lungs. Patients who use weed routinely risk creating respiratory contaminations and side effects like bronchitis. Rebuttal Even though it is easier to fathom why cannabis is more secure than other legitimate substances, being stressed over its capacity for addiction is sensible. For instance, 9% of weed users are statistically proven to foster lifelong reliance on the substance (NIDA, 2021). Marijuana's psychoactive component, THC, can impair concentration, memory, and decision- making abilities, raising worries about its long-term consequences on the teenage brain despite the drug's growing acceptability and legalization in the United States (Weir, 2015). In addition, medical marijuana's advantages have been extensively confirmed by research. Studies have shown the worth of restorative pot as a therapy for a few sicknesses, like various sclerosis, chronic torment, and incidental effects from chemotherapy. These outcomes show that Marijuana's potential restorative purposes frequently surpass its downsides. Furthermore, it is impossible to overlook how legalizing marijuana would affect the economy. The tax money generated from the sale of marijuana might fund essential initiatives like drug prevention and public education, e.g., revenue from marijuana taxes is one of four sources that go toward Colorado's Capital Construction Assistance Fund. Eighty-three million dollars more than expected from the marijuana excise tax was moved to the Public School Capital Construction Assistance Fund. By reinvesting the profits from marijuana sales, we can instantly address and reduce the drug's potential risks. Conclusion

8 When weighed against the potential drawbacks, the benefits of legalizing marijuana are clear. The potential for an ocean shift in social standards and financial development is reflected in the statistics, which has proactively prompted expanded charge assortments and occupation creation. Clinical Marijuana has demonstrated helpful outcomes in various logical preliminaries, and it can therapeutically fix many diseases. Public opinion aligns with the study since most respondents agreed with these conclusions. Possible solutions to the critical question, "Should the United States legalize marijuana?" may be found in the many benefits anticipated to flow to the nation. If a nation chooses a legalized, controlled marijuana business, it may be on the path to progress, equality, and health. References Caulkins, Jonathan P., Beau Kilmer, Mark A. R. Kleiman, Robert J. MacCoun, Gregory Midgette, Pat Oglesby, Rosalie Liccardo Pacula, and Peter Reuter, Options and Issues Regarding Marijuana Legalization, RAND Corporation, PE-149-RC, January 2015. As of October 18, 2023: https://www.rand.org/pubs/perspectives/PE149.html ACLU “---.” ACLU Graphics & Visualizations, graphics.aclu.org/marijuana-arrest-report. Daniller, A. (2019, November 14). Two-thirds of Americans support marijuana legalization. Pew Research Center . https://www.pewresearch.org/fact- tank/2019/11/14/americans-support-marijuana-legalization/ Kilmer, Beau. “The 10 Ps of Marijuana Legalization.” RAND, 22 June 2015, www.rand.org/blog/2015/06/the-10-ps-of-marijuana-legalization.html. Marijuana Tax Revenue in Colorado and Its Impact on Education (2012-2022) Marijuana Tax Revenue and Education | CDE (state.co.us)

9 National Institute on Drug Abuse “Is Marijuana Addictive? | National Institute on Drug Abuse.” National Institute on Drug Abuse , 13 Apr. 2021, nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/marijuana-addictive. Pew Research, ---. “Overwhelming Support for Legal Recreational or Medical Marijuana in U.S. | Pew Research Center.” Pew Research Center, 22 Nov. 2022b, www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/11/22/americans-overwhelmingly-say- marijuana-should-be-legal-for-medical-or-recreational-use. Thomas, T. (2022). Are We Doing Better? The Implications of Race, Sex, and Geographic Factors Associated with Sentence Length for Marijuana Charges (Doctoral dissertation, Yeshiva University). Weir, K. (2015). Marijuana and the developing brain. Monitor on Psychology , 46 (10), 49–52. Whitney, Bruce Barcott and Beau. “The US Cannabis Industry Now Supports 428,059 Jobs.” Leafly, 15 Sept. 2022, www.leafly.com/news/industry/cannabis-jobs- report? __cf_chl_rt_tk=gYXPl5prEsmgLYGxe2qJiSjPcF25U2c2_7wQceaTC1Q- 1698235684-0-gaNycGzNDjs.

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