Speech Introduction Marijuana is a plant that has a ✓ Solved

Marijuana is a plant that has a component called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that changes the functioning of the mind once used and goes under a series of street names including hash, pot, and weed. Marijuana has been an illegal drug in the United States since 1914; however, many states have moved to decriminalize its use in the past decade. More states should decriminalize marijuana because the decision to prohibit it was misguided and not in the public interest. Marijuana should be legalized because it has health benefits and is a viable profit venture.

Marijuana Legalization

The prohibition of marijuana in the US dates back to 1914 when the first states began drafting and passing laws against the use of the drug. By 1925, more than 25 states had passed policies making marijuana use illegal (Campos, 2017). These laws were passed despite no research indicating that marijuana use was harmful to the population. Furthermore, the public had never complained about the drug; therefore, the introduction and passing of such laws were shocking and out of place. After a few years of marijuana prohibition, many states began to allow its use for medical purposes because of the drug's ability to treat pain among patients.

The 21st century has been the decade in which the laws prohibiting marijuana have been overturned in many states (Campos, 2017). This change comes from the fact that states could not explain why the drug was made illegal in the first place. Furthermore, citizens have increasingly rallied for the legalization of the drug. Although marijuana laws have been overturned in many states, some states still maintain its illegality (Todd, 2018). It is time for these states to follow the examples of their counterparts and make marijuana use legal for both recreational and medical purposes.

Benefits of Legalization

The legalization of marijuana would bring numerous benefits to the states yet to legalize the drug. For one, marijuana legalization would improve the country's economy as it is a potential cash crop (Todd, 2018). Marijuana farming would reduce unemployment rates in the US and increase government revenue from the taxation of the produce. Legalizing marijuana would help America reach its goal of reducing incarceration rates in state prisons since many convicted felons in the country are guilty of marijuana possession. Reports indicate that close to 50% of drug arrests in the country in 2018 were related to marijuana possession (Maier, Mannes & Koppenhofer, 2017).

Legalizing marijuana would help overturn these convictions and allow individuals to rejoin society, contributing to the nation's economy. Moreover, the legalization of marijuana would contribute to safer communities by allowing law enforcement to focus on more serious crimes (Todd, 2018). When marijuana is legal, people will not have to purchase it illegally, reducing the risks of run-ins with the police. Furthermore, legalization would protect buyers from purchasing marijuana that has been laced with other dangerous drugs, as is often the case today.

Conclusion

Many states in the US have recognized the benefits of marijuana and have overturned laws prohibiting the drug; however, others have yet to make this important step. There is a crucial need for such states to legalize marijuana for the benefit of both the people and the government. Legalizing the drug will change the perception of those using it recreationally from criminals to law-abiding citizens and foster economic opportunities from the plant.

References

• Campos, I. (2017). Marijuana Prohibition.
• Maier, S. L., Mannes, S., & Koppenhofer, E. L. (2017). The implications of marijuana decriminalization and legalization on crime in the United States. Contemporary Drug Problems, 44(2).
• Todd, T. (2018). The benefits of marijuana legalization and regulation. Berkeley J. Crim. L., 23, 99.
• Pew Research Center. (2021). The Global Divide on Homosexuality Persists.
• American Psychological Association. (2020). The Effects of Marijuana Usage on Mental Health.
• National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021). Is marijuana safe and effective as medicine?
• Drug Policy Alliance. (2020). Marijuana Legalization: What Does It Mean?
• National Geographic. (2021). The Great Marijuana Experiment.
• Cato Institute. (2020). The Economic Benefits of Legalizing Marijuana.
• Harvard Law Review. (2019). Marijuana Legalization and Its Impact on Crime Rates.