What the United States government needs to do is realize that marijuana is here to stay and prohibition is not the answer. People have personal freedoms, the right to do whatever they want to. The use of marijuana in a controlled situation by responsible, consenting adults, should be legalized, and decriminalized. This would allow consenting adults to use it for recreational or medicinal purp

Marijuana has more than just medical uses. Hemp is a close relative of marijuana. Hemp was found be popular mechanics to be able to be processed in to 25,000 different things. (Popular) Yet, because it is in the same family as marijuana, the growth of hemp has been made illegal, until recently, when the sale of hemp was allowed. If marijuana was legalized, companies could take full advantage of hemps' properties.

1.Stroup, Keith R. Esq. "Testimony of R. Keith Stroup, Esq.

Another advantage to decriminalizing marijuana is that it would free up a lot of space in Americas already over crowded jails. In 1996, one out of every four people in jail, were in for drug violations. In addition to that one-third of all inmates had no history of violent crime and little or no criminal history. They were simply jailed because the law was being tough on drug users. (Nadelmann 39) These criminals usually have done nothing to deserve being thrown in jail. But, the law dictates that they must be thrown in jail. Since most of these criminals are non-violent, they should not be in jail. (Schlosser 91) If they laws where changed to make marijuana legal, then many of the people convicted for minor drug charges could be freed to return to their families.

First, decriminalization needs to be explained. Decriminalization allows for the legalization of use, possession, and growth of marijuana. Only adults would be allowed to buy marijuana, the same way cigarettes and alcohol are regulated. Legal use of the drug would be limited by a set of guidelines developed by NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. Dubbed the "Principles of Responsible Cannabis Use" this document contains what the organization considers acceptable use of marijuana, and is based on five principals. The first principal is, only adults will be given the option to use, buy or sell marijuana. The second one is, under no circumstance is it acceptable to be driving or operating any heavy machinery while under the influence of marijuana. Next, the user must carefully consider the place, time, conditions, and other factors concerning the place the user intends to use marijuana. Following that, the user must resist abuse of the drug, due to the fact that abuse leads to addiction. Finally, the user must respect others around him. This can be done by obeying new smoking polices in designated areas. (Principles) Failure to obey these guidelines would result in much of the same punishments as with alcohol. Additionally, legalizing Marijuana allows

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Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)