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Inquiryproject
Patrick Zalinov
UWRT1102
Helveston
3 February 2017
One of the most polarizing discussions in politics for the past decade, the legalization of
marijuana is an argument that comes up very often in political debates. The drug has been illegal
since the early 1900s and recently the push for federal legalization has been stronger than ever
(Marijuana Law). Of course, this argument has been longstanding because both sides have
their pros and cons. What are the potential benefits/downsides of legalization, and what do
First, you must look at the perspective of the consumer of marijuana. According to a poll
conducted among adults by Gallup in 2016, 13% of adults use marijuana often, while 43% have
used it before (McCarthy). They note that this is an increase in both categories since 2013, where
only 7% of adults use marijuana often and 38% said they have tried it before. The 2014 National
Institute on Drug Abuse also found that that marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug
(Most commonly used..). This shows how the debate has been rising in relevance as more and
more people have been using the drug as the years go by.
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So the question is: why do so many people use marijuana? For most people, pleasure is
definitely a factor in their use. Recreationally use to obtain a high is the main reason people use
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the drug, which is why some people might be against the legalization of it. They could obtain a
high, and go do potentially harmful things under the influence of marijuana like drive a car.
However, the step that most consumers want to see occur is from federally illegal to at least
A neurological study conducted on the potential benefits of medical marijuana use found
results that verify claims of medical marijuana being effective in certain ailments (Koppel,
Barbara S., et al.). They found that acting ingredients marijuana (such as THC) are
effective/probably effective in the following ailments: central nervous system pain, tremors, and
painful spasms. However the same study also found that it was ineffective/possibly harmful to
certain ailments as well such as neurological disorders like Parkinsons or dyskinesia, which is
However, marijuana of course isnt a miracle drug that heals ailments with no
repercussions. Many studies suggest that marijuana can have negative effects on health, which is
another aspect of the health point. A study published by the White House goes over several
negative health aspects of smoking marijuana, specifically in youth. They note that 9% of
children age 12-17 reported use within the past month of being surveyed (Marijuana
Legalization: A Bad Idea). This is noteworthy because if marijuana became legal, it would
become easier to access for kids (even with an age limit like cigarettes and alcohol) and would
increase usage which would lead to more exposure to negative effects. The same source lists
some of the most noteworthy effects, such as impaired cognitive and immune system function as
Legalization: A Bad Idea). Research has also found that carcinogens (found in cigarette smoke,
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typically harmful) are also present in marijuana smoke and in higher quantities, and that could
Another perspective you must look at when considering the legalization of marijuana is
the revenue gained. Many people argue that by not having marijuana legalized, the US has been
losing hundreds of millions since it is not being taxed. Cigarettes are usually used as an example,
showing how many millions in tax dollars are generated (Kilmer, Beau, et al).
California showed that the revenue that would be generated would not be as significant as people
think (Kilmer, Beau, et al). Their research shows that if marijuana is legalized in California, the
prices of it could fall up to 80% of its current value. Taking factors into account such as
production costs, they estimate that legal marijuana would drop from about 375 dollars/ounce to
about 40 dollars/ounce. That is relevant because the taxes would obviously be based on the
estimated 40 dollar number, and not the 375 dollar number. More supply produced legally means
that production costs go down, which significantly lowers the price compared to what it is now,
which means much less tax revenue than expected (Kilmer, Beau, et al).
Another big perspective of this argument: prisons. Whether you agree with it or not, for-
profit prisons are a very real thing in the United States and they actually benefit from people
being incarcerated. The two companies that benefit most are GEO and the Corrections
Corporation of America. The Washington Post puts it into perspective nicely: [GEO and
Corrections Corporation of America] now rake in a combined $3.3 billion in annual revenue
(Cohen). These private prisons actually end up benefiting from people being incarcerated, and it
shows. The Washington Post continues, saying, the private federal prison population more than
double between 2000 and 2010 (Cohen). This all relates back to marijuana legalization because
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prisons have legitimate reasons to detain and imprison people, they will act on it. This means that
private prisons will never support the legalization of marijuana, which loops back to the
government. Private prisons will be sure to lobby money to politicians to try to make sure that
big pro-marijuana bills do not pass. Thinkprogress finds that in the past decade, up to $45 million
dollars has been spent on campaign donations and lobbyists to push legislation at the state and
federal level (Shen). Politicians will then respond to the private prisons wishes and follow
through. This is why private prisons are a huge, but often forgotten factor in the discussion for
marijuana legalization. They are a very powerful industry that highly benefits having the drugs
being illegal, so it is no surprise they fight very hard to keep the federally illegal status.
All of these perspectives are important when considering the debate of legalization.
However, there are some gaps in the research. While researching, I definitely expected to find
typically harmful, and most of the benefits found were found for people using the drug medically
for specific ailments. However, I was also expecting to find information on whether or not
somebody can actually benefit from smoking the drug recreationally other than achieving a high
Given these main factors, potential marijuana legalization will always be a worthwhile
debate and could potentially stay a debate for a long time. Both sides have their good points,
whether its the user who could need the the drug to help their medical issues, or the side against
legalization that does not want the drug more readily available and create possible harm done to
their potential youth. This will most likely stay a debate for a long time though as we see large
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and powerful groups with interests against legalization (private prisons being an example) who
will try to make sure marijuana does not become federally legal.
Works Cited
Cohen, Michael. "How For-profit Prisons Have Become the Biggest Lobby No One Is Talking
Kilmer, Beau, et al. Altered state?: assessing how marijuana legalization in California could
influence marijuana consumption and public budgets. Santa Monica, CA: RAND, 2010.
Koppel, Barbara S., et al. "Systematic review: Efficacy and safety of medical marijuana in
"Marijuana Law Reform Timeline." The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana
Marijuana Legalization: A Bad Idea. Washington, D.C.: Office of National Drug Control Policy,
"Most Commonly Used Addictive Drugs." NIDA. National Institute on Drug Abuse, n.d. 03 Apr.
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2017.
McCarthy, Justin. "One in Eight U.S. Adults Say They Smoke Marijuana." Gallup.com. N.p., 08
Shen, Aviva. "Private Prisons Spend $45 Million On Lobbying, Rake In $5.1 Billion For