Why should we legalize marijuana?

The legalization of marijuana is at constant rise in the United States. In recent years marijiana has become legal in some states for either medical use and recreation or both. In New Jersey the possession of marijuana, sale or use of is still considered a crime Marijiana should be legalized because it could reduce harm and create jobs.

Marijuana is much less addictive and harmful than other drugs. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, the CNN Medical correspondent, “says the numbers for adult dependence are 9-10 percent for marijuana, 20 percent for cocaine, 25 percent for heroin and 30 percent for tobacco“. With that being said, there are so many more drugs that adults are more dependent on that isn’t marijuana. The criminalization of marijuana sponsors levels of violence and corruption, “Using data from the Uniform Crime Reports, we show that the introduction of MMLs lead to a decrease of 12.5 percent in violent crime, such as homicides, aggravated assaults and robberies in states that border Mexico.” Legalize marijuana and it will result in less violent crimes that are being caused from the criminalization of marijuana sponsors. If marijuana is legalized it will create jobs from the demand on the drug and services like where its grown, all the equipment it requires to grow it and so on. “The study, conducted by the economic consulting firm Marijuana Policy Group,  is based on two years of sales numbers from the state of Colorado. It measured both the direct effects of legalization — including close to $1 billion in retail sales.” This would bring in so many new jobs and generate so much for the economy. We have already seen in other states the positive effects this would bring to the economy, “The legal marijuana industry in Colorado created more than 18,000 new full-time jobs and generated $2.4 billion in economic activity, according to a first-of-its-kind analysis of the economics of legal cannabis in the state.” This could bring extreme economic benefits to states and now all that is needed is the local governments to manage, permit and enforce the legalization of marijuana.

Legalizing marijuana is a very difficult situation because there are a lot of sides to the way people feel about legalizing it. It is stated that it is not one of the most addictive drugs so with that being said there should be no concern with how it will make people addicted. It could bring so many opportunity’s to the table especially for the economy. There needs to be a push to legalize this drug so we can use it for its many advantages.