Silent Prayers

A majority of Americans have been exposed to or heard of marijuana. Marijuana is a common drug among all age groups of Americans. It was once legal and still popular. The US government and citizens have now raised the question if this party drug that is know to relax the body and mind should be legalized in the United States ("What are the Pro's and Con's of Marijuana Use" par. 1). Marijuana is derived from the dried leaves of a hemp plant called cannabis sativa. Already legal for medicinal use in California and Arizona, many are trying to make marijuana available to all Americans of legal age. The debate on the legalization of marijuana has been going on for several years within the government. The reason why this issue has been so hard to resolve is that there is a multitude of arguments supporting both sides of the debate.

Money plays an important role in supporting the legalization of marijuana. Possession of marijuana as a criminal offense costs the taxpayers billions of dollars. This money goes into anti-drug advertisement and action plans, the enforcing of the law, and also all the money spent to keep all the marijuana drug offenders in the prison system (Libertarian Party 7). It could be better used for action against drugs that are more harmful than marijuana like crack cocaine, LSD, or heroin. These drugs pose a bigger health threat than marijuana (Libertarian Party 7).

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Health issues are also an important aspect when arguing that marijuana should be legalized. There is never any guarantee as to the contents of the marijuana that is being bought off of drug dealers. Chances are that marijuana can contain many other various substances that are even worse for one's health (Libertarian Party 4). If the government were to have control of the production of marijuana, the need for drug dealers would be eliminated, and the product that the consumers are receiving would be more pure ("What are the Pros and Cons of Marijuana Use"). The government control of marijuana would offer several other advantages.

The cost of marijuana would be much lower if the government controlled the sell of it. Usually drug dealers charge very high prices for marijuana to satisfy their own greed. If marijuana were legalized, users would be purchasing marijuana from the government. It would be easier for the government to keep marijuana out of the hands of minors and eliminate the influences of black markets. Black markets arise from the demand for a product, because it is illegal. With the demand, the price of the product rises. Gangs take advantage of the situation to make huge profits. These gangs who are trying to protect their trade hurt drug dealers and innocent people who are caught in the crossfire ("What are the Pros and Cons of Marijuana Use").

One of the most important reasons that people want marijuana to be legalized is for medical use. Marijuana has been shown to be helpful to AIDS and chemotherapy patients. Smoking marijuana will help to relieve pain and stimulate an appetite in AIDS patients. (Grinspoon and Bakalar par. 7). The eye disease glaucoma can also be helped by marijuana. Marijuana will lower intracellular pressure in the glaucoma (par. 6). Medicinal

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marijuana can also be used to help spastic disorders or relieve pain caused by migraines, cramps, limp pain and other chronic pains. Though many reasons for the legalization of marijuana exist there are many reasons for the contrary.

There is no scientific