Where's the Harm?

  Recently, Colorado 64 amendment passed, as well as Initiative 502 in Washington. Both legalized the possession of marijuana for adults age 21 and older. Many people believe that it should be prohibited and find it dangerous when honestly it does more harm than good. Prohibition is becoming a thing of the past and we see how well the alcohol prohibition worked out. People are most likely against Marijuana because they don’t know or understand the facts about it. If they were more enlightened their perspective would possibly change.

 To begin with “marijuana prohibition enforcement costs the government 13.7 billion dollars annually, and puts well over 500,000 people in jail every year “This is wasting money that could be used to benefit America rather than burden it. The Colorado 64 is a perfect example of how marijuana can be a great benefit to America. For example, “Marijuana legalization would produce hundreds of new jobs, raise millions for the construction of Colorado public schools and raise around $60 million annually in combined savings and revenue for Colorado's budget” Where is the harm in that? America is already in debt and going through a recession so what good is it to turn down an opportunity to help us escape from the firm grasp of debt. It’s entirely illogical to refuse the help marijuana provides America.


In addition, “Every objective study on marijuana has concluded that it is far safer than alcohol and cigarettes for the consumer and the surrounding community.” So it’s not like it’s any worse than the drugs that are already legal. As a matter of fact “Alcohol and tobacco are more toxic, more addictive, and more harmful to the body than marijuana” and are also “more likely to result in injuries and lead to interpersonal violence.” Also, I doubt if you’re having health issues I doubt they will hand you a pack a cigarettes and a case of beer to cure you.

As the generation moves on I believe we should get rid of old ways and open up to new ideas. New ideas lead to new possibility but that will never be accomplished if marijuana continues to remain illegal.