Pubdate: Mon, 09 Feb 2009 Source: Clarkson Integrator (NY Edu) Contact: http://www.clarksonintegrator.com/home/lettertotheeditor/ Copyright: 2009 Clarkson Integrator Website: http://www.clarksonintegrator.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4990 Author: Matthew Lee Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) THE MUNCHIES ADD FLUIDITY TO THE SNACK MARKETS The argument to legalize marijuana has spanned decades and has involved individuals of all ages. There have been thousands of reasons stated for and against its legalization, ranging from the convincing to the inane. With a complete understanding that it will make no difference, I will throw my reason for legalization into the ring. Why might I want to make it legal, you ask? I believe that Mary Jane benefits national and domestic economies by keeping money fluid through the impact of the munchies on its users. It is very clear that marijuana causes the munchies. My argument is that the munchies allow more money to stay fluid. What do I mean by this? Just think about any pot-head that you have known. A hungry smoker will get their snacks, regardless of price, and usually in large quantities. As a result they will spend a larger percentage of their income on food than an average individual. The added money in the market supports local convenience/grocery stores, the transportation markets, packaging markets, the entertainment industries, and several others incidentally. With all of this money moving in and out of pockets and cash registers, local and domestic economies become less stagnant. When economies become less stagnant the chances of a downturn become less. They allow for everyone to gain more from trade and to receive more goods than they would if they had let their money sit in a savings account. While my analysis of how marijuana benefits the economy is relatively simplistic, it has awoken an important talking point that may have been forgotten. When we put aside the arguments about health, morality, impact on youths, and the impact on prison size we come to possibly the most important question. Do the benefits to the economy, provided by the munchies, have a large enough effect to make a difference? Well, probably not considering the long term effects of having no savings and eating cheap food. However, if anything, we should remember that it is questions like these that keep the debate alive and present in our minds. Decide for yourself: do you believe that marijuana should be legal? - --- MAP posted-by: Doug