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: Sarah Drought
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n427/a06.html

GOVERNMENT WOULD BE BETTER OFF LEGALIZING

I found the article, "Finance the Bailout: Legalize  Marijuana," from 
April 7, 2009, which suggested an  interesting technique for the 
government to earn  revenue. I would agree with the idea that 
taxing  illegal drugs would be economically beneficial to 
the  erratic American economy.

Marijuana has been proven to be useful in the medical  field and does 
not have addictive components like  harder drugs that can be quite 
damaging and dangerous.  However, cigarettes contain nicotine, which 
is an  addictive drug, and other contaminants within  cigarettes 
cause cancer and other serious medical  issues. Alcohol is another 
drug that is also more  damaging to the body than marijuana, and is 
responsible for increased blood pressure, liver damage, and 
alcohol  poisoning when consumed in copious amounts.  Nonetheless, 
alcohol, like marijuana, in small amounts  can have medicinal 
purposes, and is not harmful in  moderation.

Also, by legalizing marijuana, eight billion dollars  would be saved 
each year from not implementing law  enforcement that try to control 
and maintain that drugs  and trafficking are contained. I also think 
that there  would be more room in prisons and allow law enforcement 
to focus on more serious crimes. Such a large number of  people 
convicted of possession of marijuana end up in  prison, and are even 
given stricter convictions than  those who commit more heinous crimes 
such as assault  and even DUIs, both of which endanger others.

It would seem that the government would be better off  legalizing the 
drug and reaping the benefits that can  be gained. Our economy 
certainly needs a boost, and I  can only assume that plenty of 
American's would be in  support of helping stimulate the government 
as well as  enjoying the harmless herb. This was an 
interesting  article and I would have to agree that the 
government  should come to terms with the benefits its long 
time  enemy marijuana has to offer.

Sarah Drought
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom