Pros and Cons of the Legalization of Marijuana (Essay Sample)

Legalization of Marijuana
Introduction
Marijuana is among the drugs that alter the functioning and the perception of the human brain. Marijuana is gotten from dried hemp plant leaves. It sometimes serves as medicine, whereby it is prescribed in small doses (Liriano, 2020). Even though it is used for recreation and leisure, it is usually ingested in huge amounts in such circumstances. In several nations, marijuana is an illegal drug, and thus individuals found possessing it face jail terms. In the same instance, they exist nations with differing perceptions and have legalized marijuana for general and individual usage. In the United States, the debate on the drug's legalization has taken a higher notch, which is the basis of this paper.
Pros of Legalizing Marijuana
Several United States adults, approximately one hundred and twenty-eight million persons, have used the drug despite being considered illegal under federal law. Huge numbers of Americans are arrested yearly for consuming and selling the drug. Legalizing marijuana will boost the economy as it will pump a lot of cash into the economy. The marijuana industry in the US could surpass $24 billion by 2025. For each $1 spent in purchasing marijuana, $2.20 in economic activity is generated (Liriano, 2020). The industries currently benefiting from the legalization of marijuana comprise real estate, banking, tourism, and transportation. Legalized marijuana generated about $7.2 billion in 2016 and brought millions in federal government paid by the cannabis business (Dixon, 2016).
In addition, rates of crime reduce when the drug is legalized. Studies have exhibited that medical marijuana dispensaries minimized crimes in the vicinities of their neighborhoods due to the increased presence of security and more persons walking around the area (Liriano, 2016). Alcohol usage results in more crimes, approximately ten times as compared to marijuana use. As per the FBI crime statistics, in Washington, violent crimes were reduced after the legalization of marijuana.
Cons of the legalization of marijuana
Legalized marijuana use creates steep costs for taxpayers and society that outweigh its tax revenues. Usage of marijuana harms more than just the individual utilizing the drug. Societal costs for using marijuana entail paying for increased medical care, emergency room visits, increased crime as well as an adverse effect on health from second-hand smoke (Dixon, 2016). Besides, legalizing marijuana endangers society far more than it benefits, even in terms of revenue generation.
Conclusion
As per the presentation above, I would opt for the legalization of the drug. Marijuana can be used for medicinal purposes. It generates huge revenues for the federal government—the rates of crimes significantly reduced at the onset of the drug's legalization.
References
Dixon, L. (2016). How Growing Marijuana Legalization Could Affect the Economy. Retrieved 19 April 2021, from https://www.chieflearningofficer.com/2016/12/20/marijuana-legalization-affect-economy/
Liriano, T. (2020). Puff Puff Pass: The Marijuana Opportunity and Reinvestment Act of 2019. U. Cent. Fla. Dep't Legal Stud. LJ, 3, 137.