“Marijuana is the third most popular recreational drug in America (behind only alcohol and tobacco), and has been used by nearly 100 million Americans” (NORML.org). Marijuana became illegal in the Unites States in 1937, the federal government still considers it to be illegal but it has become legal in 23 states for medicinal purposes and 2 states allow it for recreational and medical purposes. Many other sates will soon vote on whether or their state will allow its use or now. Hemp, which is from the same plant as marijuana has many uses and can be made into many products. Legalizing marijuana could have a positive impact on the United States economy. In Colorado in the month of August the state took in about 7.5 million dollars in tax revenue from medicinal and recreational marijuana (Ingraham). If every state did that it would have many positive benefits on the economy. It would help increase the number of jobs available in every state that legalizes it. There are many jobs that could be created in areas that include textiles, growing, and production. Also legalizing marijuana would help save money. If there were no possession laws it would save the state itself a huge sum …show more content…
In the United State one marijuana related arrest happens about once every minute. This is very costly and wastes police officers time when they could be fighting off robberies and other crimes bigger than simple marijuana possession. Once arrested they are hauled off to jail, then must be housed, fed, and seen by a judge to determine their sentence which, all costs money. Almost 4 billion dollars a year is spent enforcing marijuana possession laws, which is absurd since it clearly is not working. Since the United States is so in debt all this money is borrowed from other countries, when it doesn’t have to be that way. Legalizing marijuana would help reduce the debt and save hours of time and a lot of money to enforce the laws that are not