Marijuana refers to a drug extracted from dried parts of the Cannabis plant such as the leaves and stems. It contains mind-altering chemicals that when inhaled or ingested cause one to feel “high.” Over the years, many governments and international organizations have raised concerns about the increased consumption of the drug in different parts of the globe and the effects it has on society. As such, the United States and the United Kingdom among other nations have enacted several measures that not only limit the use of the drug but also forbid any form of advertisement that may promote selling, buying, or growing of the plant. However, cannabis has several benefits both to society and individuals hence should be legalized but should be regulated because of its potential for harm if misused. Some of the advantages of the drug include job creation, increased government revenue, reduced cost of law enforcement, medical value, reducing the rate of abuse, and attracting investors.
Job Creation
Legalizing Cannabis could create many jobs both directly and indirectly in a country. Many youths around the globe have turned to the use of cannabis as a means of relieving stress and frustration for failing to secure jobs after years of training in both educational and technical facilities. Legalizing marijuana could open up the market and create opportunities for farmers, wholesalers, retailers, and distributors of the commodity (Bradford et al. 75). Empowering people from these sectors will also improve the country’s per capita income and government revenue as a result of increased taxes. Additionally, when the demand for the product increases it will boost the business along the supply chain leading to the creation of a large pool of employment opportunities. Moreover, it will enhance the flow of money in the economy and improve service delivery in financial institutions through availing more money for lending to entrepreneurs.
Revenue Collection
Legalization of marijuana could play a significant role in raising revenue to the central government and other county governments through taxes and license fees. Employed individuals would be taxed on the commodities they buy thereby helping to raise revenue to the government (Naik et al. 1). Additionally, revenues collected in the supply chain could offer quality services such as infrastructure improvement to society. Revenues raised based on total sales and individual fees from the commodity can be used to improve the country national income rates and economy of the country.
Costs on Law Enforcement
Additionally, the country could save overhead costs such as costs on law enforcement to curb the use of marijuana. Most governments around the world allocate a lot of money on the fight against prohibited drugs such as cannabis. Redirecting the amount to cater for other essential government activities like promoting better education systems could reduce government expenditure. Equally, Law enforcement agencies could reduce their overall costs such as cost on court cases that go on trial. Reduced number of marijuana-related court cases result in few incarcerations thus save on cost (Bradford et al. 77). The incarcerated ones would be trained to acquire technical skills such as carpentry, masonry, and advanced technicians. Law agencies could put their funds into more productive programs such as educating the public into preventing and reporting of crimes committed by lawbreakers.
Medicinal value
Medical experts have also established the use of regulated levels of marijuana can cure cases of cancer and severe epilepsy (Homel et al. 1). The use of marijuana could save costs and improve health standards in society. People use marijuana to relieve pain and reduce the effects ofthe hard drugs such as heroin and cocaine. Moreover, the drug has undergone venous clinical trials and been determined to reduce anxiety, depression diabetes, and several cases of arthritis (Homel et al. 1). It is also safer to use than alcoholic drinks and cigarettes that often result in damage to vital body organs like the kidney and lungs. According to the American Public Health Association, the legalization of the drug in Colorado among other states has helped in reducing opioid-related deaths by a significant margin. As such, the study suggests that promoting the consumption of cannabis and reducing the number of restrictions on it are alternative techniques for promoting safety among drug users such as opioid addicts.
Attract Investors
Increased use of marijuana and its products could improve trade links with other countries thereby attract investors who could provide other quality services such as research projects that the government may fear to engage in due to high-risk high-profit value (Bradford et al. 81). Marijuana could be a fast-growing industry that could lead to huge profits thereby promote enormous growth in the stock exchange markets. The investors would bring new knowledge on how to grow, harvest, and store the marijuana products to improve the quality of the produce. For instance, the relationship between the United States and Mexico has been limited over the years due to increased drug smuggling. However, the U.S. allowed the importation of the commodity and imposed a significant amount of tax on the same; it could help in improving its revenue and develop positive relations with its neighbors.
Reduced Abuse
The legalization of marijuana could reduce the abuse of the drug, especially by teenagers in schools, homes, and public places through the promotion of healthy marijuana consumption through the use of legalized, regulated standards of the product in the market. As such, users can consume the drug responsibly without fear of being arrested and locked up in correction centers (Homel et al., 1). Substance abuse will be moderated thereby enabling caution to be taken by individuals using it. Additionally, the use of marijuana could promote neighborliness among the already lost family ties and race-related cases due to the use of the drug.
Dangers of Marijuana
As much as the legalization of marijuana could bring about positive results, the adverse effects of prolonged use of marijuana among individuals and in the society should not be ignored (Caulkins et al. 1). The abuse of the drug can damage the liver and cause throat related problems. Serious abuse of marijuana could hurt social lives and even cause the loss of carriers and school work ( Caulkins et al.,1). Additionally, it has prolonged effects on the individual and society as a whole. However, if enough regulatory measures are instituted upon the legalization of marijuana, then such cases can be mitigated.
Conclusion
Marijuana should be legalized as its advantages outweigh the disadvantages as demonstrated in the above paragraphs. For example, the drug has been proven to treat some medical conditions. The creation of jobs for the youth that could result from the legalization of marijuana could reduce unemployment levels in society and raise revenue to the federal government. Additionally, legalizing the drug could cut law enforcement costs, for instance, reduce expenditure on correctional facilities. However, it is imperative for effective policies for the legalization of the drug to be instituted to mitigate the negative consequences that may arise from the drug being readily available and legal.
Works Cited
Bradford, Ashley C., and W. David Bradford. “Factors Driving the Diffusion of Medical Marijuana Legalization in the United States.” Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy 24.1 (2017): 75-84.
Caulkins, Jonathan P. “The Real Dangers of Marijuana.” National Affairs (2016).
Homel, Peter, and Rick Brown. “Marijuana Legalization in the United States: An Australian Perspective.” Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice 535 (2017): 1.
Naik, Shivani, et al. “Marijuana on the Brain—A Concern.” Innovations in clinical neuroscience 15.1-2 (2018): 12.