My Argument for Legalizing
Marijuana
Prohibition didn’t work for alcohol and it isn’t
working for pot. Use of marijuana is no
more harmful to humans than consuming alcohol and smoking cigarettes – both
legal consumer products. I am in full
agreement that driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery while under the
influence of any drug or alcohol should be prohibited; however, who does it
hurt if one smokes it or eats some fiber-laced brownies while spending a
leisurely weekend at home?
Establishing laws against the sales, purchasing or use
of marijuana does not prevent people from using it any more than Prohibition
prevented people from drinking alcohol.
In my humble opinion, legalizing marijuana for both
medical and recreational use would take the herb out of the underground,
eliminate the criminal trafficking and high prices, allow for regulation, and
taxation. And there are some who would give it up because it would no longer be
fun if it were legal.
Legalization would give federal and state governments
additional tax dollars. Tax it like alcohol and gasoline. Users wouldn’t notice a significant
difference in the price because the base price would be reduced without the
inflation caused by criminal importation and distribution costs.
By legalizing pot and regulating its distribution,
there is a greater guarantee of purity so there would be fewer heath risks
associated with the infusion of more harmful substances that are sued to
stretch the supply.
Furthermore, legalization would alleviate the burdens
on law enforcement departments, overcrowded courts, tax payers that must pay for
the incarceration of non violent criminals, and the social welfare systems that
must pay to support the families of those imprisoned.
And no – I am not one who makes this argument for
justifying my own personal use. My drug of choice is red wine and the very rare
gin & tonic. But as a Libertarian
and a proponent of free choice, I say embrace the benefits of legalization and
tax it! (so the government can keep its greedy paws out of my pocket)
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