Marijuana Essay Sample

With the legalization of marijuana in states such as Colorado and Washington, in addition to the issue being on the ballot in other states, this can be a deeply divisive yet highly relevant issue. Although the issue differs depending on what country discussed, as each culture’s view of the drug is unique, the arguments either for or against marijuana are essentially the same. Arguments for legalizing the drug include the respect of personal freedom, why is marijuana illegal and alcohol is not when drinking and driving may be much more dangerous than smoking and driving, and people are going to partake anyway even if it is illegal so why not generate legal revenue from its sale? Arguments against the legalization of marijuana include it is a gateway drug, which means its use leads to the consumption of harder drugs down the line, that is a drug and addictive, more people would become hooked on marijuana if they were readily exposed to it and states or the government should not allow the responsibility of legalizing a drug on their hands. It is just not their role and contradicts their purpose.
In my opinion, I see nothing wrong with legalizing marijuana because I don’t think it is any worse than alcohol being legal. Granted, you must be 21 to drink but underage drinking is rather common. Bear in mind withdrawal from alcohol is more deadly than withdrawal from cocaine or heroin. It is a drug, it is addictive, it is dangerous and it is legal. I think more and more states will legalize the drug because they are searching for funds. Marijuana could generate
much needed revenue, so eventually the arguments against the drug being legal will be overcome by the financial options it can provide. Florida recently came up just short of legalizing medicinal marijuana so I would think within the next several years it will become so, if only for that purpose alone.