Legalize Marijuana
In the late 1970's, Susan Nelson watched her husband, Don, in constant agony. He was undergoing chemotherapy treatment for testicular cancer, and his body was continually rejecting his supplemental drugs, causing him to vomit with. His body's natural reaction was only causing Don to incur further tissue damage. If only the natural plant, Cannabis Sativa (commonly known as marijuana), had been legal at the time, Don would not have had to suffer the agony associated with cancer therapy (Portland NORML). Some may think I am young, and just wish to promote drugs, but I assure you that my interest is not recreational. Like Susan, I too have watched someone close to me suffer from cancer. The use of marijuana would have helped curbed the pain my uncle experienced at the hands of chemotherapy, just as it could have helped Don Nelson. And although it is true that by legalizing marijuana, recreational smoking may increase, marijuana's medicinal and environmental uses outweigh the costs of its use in leisure. Surely no humane citizen would want to withhold this versatile medical plant from the millions who suffer from illnesses. Historically, marijuana first used in colonial America where its fibers were used to make thousands of d
It is clear that legalizing marijuana would not only bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars for the economy, but will also decrease the money the government spends. After the legalization of marijuana in the Netherlands, the number of business owners skyrocketed as a byproduct of consumer demand. Tourists purchased an estimated $180,000,000 annually (McVay 157). The government would further benefit from legalization because it would have the ability to control and tax the distribution of marijuana, and take business away from drug dealers. Further, prohibition costs billions of dollars to enforce. You as taxpayers pay $30,000 a year to imprison one non-violent drug offender, while lack of funding for education and other services persist (CIN). Money saved on law enforcement and construction of jails would have an enormous impact on the economy. Bouril, Thomas J. "Marijuana and Hemp: The Untold Story." Cannabis Action Network, 1997. 10 Jun. 2001 http://www.cannabis.com/untoldstory/#INDEX "About Hemp." Online Posting. The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. 10 Jun, 2001 < http://www.norml.org/hemp/index.shtml> The benefits of hemp also extend to the environment. One acre of hemp can produce as much paper as two to four acres of trees. The paper is also resistant to degradation and requires less toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. Marijuana plants also remove heavy metals from the soil and replenish the ozone (Bouril). There is no way to meet future demands for paper without causing deforestation and environmental damage. Hemp will resolve these problems.
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Approximate Word count = 1265
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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