Kayla

Many people have different views and opinions on the legalization of marijuana. The controversial issue about this topic is that some people are using this drug for its' actual benefits not just for the sake of achieving a high. Based on the facts that marijuana will save the United States money, bring in tax revenue, and help millions of people medically it is very evident that marijuana should be legalized. Even though marijuana can be potentially dangerous if abused, why should the United States waste a valuable resource that could very well be helpful to so many people?

As it turns out, the United States is said to be the most "criminal" country in the world. Twenty-five percent of the population has been put in prison One third of these prisoners are being help due to a non-violent drug crime. If the United States legalized marijuana, millions of dollars would be saved, it would cut back on arresting, prosecuting, and court costs every year(). The United States alone spends a whopping 150 billion dollars a year on court costs, and policing. Just over forty-seven percent of all arrests made are marijuana related(). What if the United States did not have to pay these costs anymore? Over seventy billion dollars would be saved on policing alone. This would help the United States' economy very much so why are the people scared to make a change for the better?

In addition, marijuana should be legalized because it will bring in massive tax revenue. Marijuana sales are responsible for a fourteen billion dollar profit a year in California alone. This means that if this cash crop was legalized the government would rake in about $1.3 billion in tax revenue in just California. (Legalizing Marijuana). Imagine if the entire country could benefit from these profits. The United States' economy could potentially be saved. In addition to saving money, legalizing marijuana would give millions of people the opportunity to receive jobs in production, marketing, and other related job positions. Marijuana could very well save the United States' economy so why not legalize it?

Lastly, marijuana should be legalized