Final Position Paper

Robyn Harvey

Paper #3

12/3/15

Recreational Marijuana

 For years marijuana has had a bad reputation as an illegal drug that should never be available for consumers to purchase. Americans may be afraid that letting this drug into our communities could have negative consequences such as increased marijuana related crimes. On the contrary, many benefits can be found from selling marijuana in dispensaries across the U.S. In his article for USA Today, Trevor Hughes mentions a quote from Governor John Hickenlooper in which he states that people who were smoking marijuana before it was legal still are, except now they can actually do good by paying taxes. By giving Americans access to legal dispensaries, their money will go towards important causes funded using tax money instead of creating more crime by paying a drug dealer. Marijuana should be legal in all 50 states in order to raise tax money and help law enforcement reduce drug related crimes.

Some people may argue that marijuana should stay illegal because, like any other drug, it gets you high and impairs judgment. However, alcohol has similar effects to marijuana and is still legal because it is something that many adults want to enjoy. Contrary to what most people believe, marijuana is a non-addictive drug for most users. According to the National institute on Drug Abuse, “It is estimated that 9 percent of people who use marijuana will become dependent on it.” Alcohol can be just as addictive, if not more. Also, people may be concerned that legalizing this kind of drug will increase the number of drug related deaths in the U.S. However, unlike alcohol, prescription painkillers, or any other illegal drug, it is not possible to overdose from marijuana. Studies from Leaf Science have found that “Because cannabinoid receptors, unlike opioid receptors, are not located in the brainstem areas controlling respiration, lethal overdoses from Cannabis and cannabinoids do not occur.” 

            If legalized, marijuana can be sold in dispensaries that put taxes on their products. These taxes would benefit the states because it would go towards paying for important causes; the state of Colorado has already begun to put these taxes to good use. According to Trevor Hughes of USA Today, "The school-construction money comes from a 15% tax levied on wholesale sales from growers to recreational marijuana retailers. Much of the rest of the tax money is being dedicated toward drug-abuse education, research and substance abuse treatment." Money is always needed for education, especially in this day and age where budget cuts are being made left and right. Also, funding for substance abuse treatment and drug education is necessary to help Americans get back on their feet again. However, not every state has to follow in Colorado’s footsteps. Other states can use their taxes to fund other things such as the disabled or people who cannot take care of themselves.  Either way, the taxes taken from marijuana dispensaries would go towards the greater good of each state.

            Legalizing marijuana will decrease crime rate across the United States. With recreational marijuana off the list of illegal activity that the police have to worry about, they can focus on more significant or harmful crimes. In an article from Drug Policy following Washington State’s status after 1 year of legalizing marijuana, "The state is now saving millions of dollars in law enforcement resources that were previously used to enforce marijuana laws." When marijuana is legal, there is one less factor contributing to the war on drugs, helping law enforcement crack down on more lethal substances. Tamar Todd, Director of Marijuana Law and Policy at the Drug Policy Alliance states that "By shifting away from unnecessary marijuana arrests and focusing instead on public health, Washington is better positioned to address the potential harms of marijuana use, while also diminishing many of the worst harms of the war on drugs." Citizens may be concerned that since marijuana is now legal to access for adults, the accessibility rate for youth will increase. However, according to Drug policy statistics "Youth marijuana use has not increased since the passage of I-502." If all states follow Washington's lead in making recreational marijuana legal, the costly battle against marijuana use will no longer be an issue.

            So far Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Alaska are the only states to have legalized recreational marijuana. These states have received the benefits that come from marijuana dispensaries and put tax money towards substantial causes. Law enforcement in these states can now worry less about marijuana related crimes and focus more on public health, safety, and deadly drugs. If the other 46 states vote to make recreational marijuana use legal, they will see the same benefits that have already helped so many communities.

 

           

Works Cited

“Can You Overdose on Marijuana?” Leaf Science. 26 Aug. 2014. Web. 27 Nov. 2015

Hughes, Trevor."Colo. Pot Users Helping Build Schools With Tax Dollars" USA Today. USA Today. 17 Feb. 2015. Web. 11 Nov. 2015.

“Is Marijuana Addictive?” National Institute on Drug Abuse. National Institutes of Health. Sept. 2015. Web. 27 Nov. 2015.

 “Marijuana Legalization in Washington State: One-Year Status Report”  Drug Policy. Drug Policy Alliance. 6 July 2015. Web. 27 Nov. 2015.