It Causes Violence… But Also Not Not in The Way You Think
Potheads are by and large a peaceful bunch. But the illegal nature of the shadow industry that supplies them their bud is, almost by necessity, not. It’s important to remember that cannabis is where the Mexican cartels make 60% of their profits, and those groups murder over 6,000 people a year. There are also handfuls of people who die during deals, busts, or while simply stepping onto an illegal farm in the U.S. every year. Legalization would end all this mayhem quickly.
It’s Costing Us So, So Much
An ACLU report from 2013 suggests that taxpayers shelled out anywhere from $1.6 to $6 billion to cover pot enforcement, prosecution, and incarceration. Certainly, that number must have dropped in recent years with both states and the feds easing up on enforcement. Still, it’s a lot of money that could be spent doing… well… anything else, really.
It Could Earn Us So, So Much
On the flip side of that, there are reports suggesting that the government could make upwards of $7 billion a year by taxing legalized weed much as it does tobacco. There are even some pie-in-the-sky estimates that legalization could create a $100-billion taxable industry overnight, creating tens of thousands of new, completely legit jobs. Certainly, Denver is a good test case.
Prohibition Isn’t Really Stopping Intake Anyways
Estimates suggest that almost half of all Americans admit to trying pot. Similar studies suggest that one in 10 Americans use it regularly—that’s around 32 million. If all those expensive marijuana laws were created to stop people from smoking, all they’ve done is waste time, effort, lives, and money.
It’s Less Addictive Than Plenty of Legal Things
Marijuana dependence is real, particularly among people who already have mental illnesses. But compared to kicking alcohol, prescription pills, tobacco, caffeine, and, yes, sugar, ditching marijuana is a breeze.
It’s Not Really All That Bad for You Anyways
Other than the aforementioned dependence, loss of mental acuity, and possible depression, the only serious side effect to high pot intake is lung cancer, something completely avoidable if you don’t smoke big spliffs. Compare that to the damage booze or cough syrup does, and pot is a lightweight.
It Has Demonstrated Health Benefits
From reducing glaucoma and helping people going through chemo eat to calming nerves and battling skin conditions, doctors are using pot to treat a number of medical conditions with good results. Legalization would broaden a doctor’s ability to do so and researchers’ abilities to find new ways to use it.
It’s Halfway Legal Already and We’re Okay
About half of all U.S. states have either legalized marijuana for medical or recreational use, backed off serious enforcement, or lessened penalties for possession of marijuana. The federal government also is massively cutting down on the amount of funds allocated to interdiction and prosecution. In areas such as Washington and Denver, where the state is most permissive, hell has not broken loose and society has not fallen apart.
Most Americans Are for Legalization
Bottom line, if the U.S. held national referendums (we don’t), legal marijuana would be the law of the land. Recent surveys suggest 53% of Americans are okay with legalization and that percentage is rising every year.
It Makes Movies Better
All of them. Always. Even Adam Sandler movies.
