Pubdate: Sun, 03 May 2009
Source: Guardian (Wright State U, OH Edu)
Copyright: 2009 Guardian
Contact: http://www.theguardianonline.com/2.9150
Website: http://www.theguardianonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4586
Author: Heather Healy

LEGALIZATION CAN FINANCIALLY STABILIZE ECONOMY

If the U.S. government were to legalize marijuana, I  believe that it 
would help financially stabilize our  economy. The U.S. government is 
making about $7.7  billion from the sale of cigarettes alone. Imagine 
how  much our government could add to this by legalizing the 
production and sale of marijuana.

Drug reporter Bruce Mirken states, "The alcohol  poisoning death rate 
in the United States is shockingly  high, consistently between 300 
and 400 a year. It's  zero for pot." This proves that alcohol, which 
is legal  for anyone over the age of 21, is far more dangerous  than 
marijuana. Legalizing marijuana does not mean that  the government 
would have no control over the sale and  use. I believe that there 
should be regulations such as  an age limit to buy, and strict DUI laws.

Our country is at a loss for jobs and by legalizing  marijuana it 
would produce many different jobs. Farmers  and factories will 
benefit from the legalization. In  Nevada alone, over 5,000 people 
were arrested on  marijuana related charges in 2005. We as tax payers 
are wasting our money on locking up people who just have  possession 
charges, instead of saving it and putting it  towards our country's 
debt or any other money related  problems. I asked for someone else's 
opinion, so I  interviewed a daycare provider/owner. This was her 
take on the issue:

"My personal opinions of "pot" are as follows. I  believe with the 
country of United States being in the  trouble that we are, a 
productive way to ease a lot of  the problems would be to legalize 
the growing and  production of marijuana. Pay farmers with land 
sitting empty to grow this product, and organize factories 
to  manufacture cigarettes of marijuana, just like 
regular  cigarettes. The government could tax the sale 
and  distribution of this product, and common businesses  like gas 
stations and carry outs could benefit from the sale. Even those with 
actual medical problems that need  marijuana (like glaucoma) would no 
longer have to get a  prescription for pot. The taxes would ease 
the  country's deficit, would put farmers back to work, 
put  factories back in small towns, and ease the burden in prisons 
from the pot sales. Most studies have proved  pot is no more harmful 
than alcohol, and alcohol has  been linked to many body diseases that 
kill humans  every day (as w! ell as cigarettes). Make laws that 
are  similar to alcohol intake. An example would be drinking and 
driving. Enforce the same penalties for driving  under the influence, 
which most states currently have  already. This is my opinion only," 
said Deanna  Troutwine, aged 46 mother of five and not a current pot  smoker.

Heather Healy
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