The United States federal government made it illegal for the use and distribution of marijuana. The Controlled Substance Act of 1970 made it clear that marijuana is a dangerous drug with no medical use. However, the same act allowed individual states to be at liberty to legalize the drug for medical use but set a framework for controlled use. Since then, over 24 states have made marijuana legal for medical use while other has just decriminalized the drug. Few states such as Washington, Colorado, Alaska, and Oregon have gone a step further to allow the use of marijuana for recreation (Baker 319). The debate is now at its peak on whether the federal government should legalize marijuana or not. The popular argument for marijuana is the fact that …show more content…
Neurologists have identified that some cannabis (marijuana) have a relaxing effect on the brain that helps to control seizures. Psychiatrists believe that marijuana can be effective in treating some psychological conditions. Therefore, legalizing marijuana will undoubtedly help in extending its medical benefits across the country and even the world if possible. Since possession, use, and distribution of marijuana was made illegal by the federal law, the number of criminal cases associated with marijuana trafficking has been on the rise. Dangerous gangs have come up to take control of the lucrative marijuana distribution business. The competition among the drug traffickers has led to gang crimes, the proliferation of illegal arms, and gang murders. All these criminal activities are occurring because marijuana is illegal and so, only criminals can take part in its distribution and use. If marijuana is legalized, the gangs will disappear. It will be possible to buy the substance over the counter of a chemist or at the local grocery. Gang crime will go down significantly giving both the police and the public an easier