Contrary to popular belief, the legalization of marijuana has not, and will not increase the use of it among minors. Infact, according to Forbes.com a 2013 report from the Colorado Department of Health and Environment found that high school marijuana use decreased from 22% in 2011 to 20% in 2013. Dr. Larry Wolk, the CDPHE director states, “As with tobacco, youth prevention campaigns will help ensure adult legalization of marijuana does not impact the health of Colorado kids.” Fours years ago, in 2012, a study called, “Medical Marijuana Laws and Teen Marijuana Use” by D. Mark Anderson, Ben Hanson, and Daniel Rees did not find that the legalization of medical marijuana increased use in teens. Instead they discovered that marijuana use increased among teens in the states where medical marijuana was illegal. Ending the prohibition on marijuana helps the economy by generating loads of revenue. Colorado’s department of revenue says the first 4 months of legal marijuana had resulted in $10.8 million in taxes. Other tax revenue will be proposed to youth and public education campaigns about marijuana. A hidden benefit to legal marijuana is …show more content…
With marijuana being illegal police officers have to focus on the non-violent, low-level offenders.The New York Times states in the article, Repeal Prohibition Again, “658,000 arrests for marijuana possession in 2012, according to the F.B.I figures, compared with 256,000 for cocaine, heroin, and their derivatives.” As stated by the Huffington Post, as of 2013 the U.S spends $20 billion a year on marijuana prohibition. Legalizing recreational and medical marijuana has already impacted the illegal sales of marijuana greatly. The amount seized by Border Patrols has dropped a huge 24% and the price of Mexican grown marijuana dropped $90 to $30 per kilogram. By legalizing marijuana police officers can spend more time, money, and effort on more urgent