The Evolution of the Teen Slasher
Daniel Larscheid
Composition and Communication
Professor Ten Napel
4/11/2012
Legalize It
If there was a substance, so versatile, that its utilization would bring in substantial revenue, would you deprive struggling businesses of it? If there was a medicine, so powerful, that it would greatly improve the lives of the sick prescribed it, would you deny it to them? If there was a simple solution to reducing crime in our country, would you ignore it? By keeping marijuana illegal we have unintentionally done all of these things. If marijuana were legalized our economy would improve, our overall health would improve, and crime would decrease.
The impact the legalization of marijuana would have on our economy would be both instant and significant. Marijuana is one of the most versatile crops on the planet, having the potential to be made into over 25,000 products (NAIHC). In many cases, the products made from marijuana are actually a better substitute for certain items, such as paper. The paper made from marijuana is more biodegradable and its harvest would have less of an environmental impact than the continuous harvesting of our trees (NAIHC). Innovations such as these lead us to increased opportunities in
our workforce, ranging from our agricultural to our manufacturing and service industries. Its taxation would also benefit us; if we were to impose a tax on legalized marijuana we could make up to 100 billion dollars annually (Business Week). Not to mention that it is the leading cash crop in twelve of our states even though it is currently illegal (CNBC). The legalization of marijuana is also essential to protecting the health of our citizens. Marijuana, as an illegal narcotic, is not federally regulated. Meaning the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) does not inspect it to make sure that it is safe for consumption. This means that there is no one making sure that the drug is properly stored and uncontaminated, leading to concern for the safety of
Composition and Communication
Professor Ten Napel
4/11/2012
Legalize It
If there was a substance, so versatile, that its utilization would bring in substantial revenue, would you deprive struggling businesses of it? If there was a medicine, so powerful, that it would greatly improve the lives of the sick prescribed it, would you deny it to them? If there was a simple solution to reducing crime in our country, would you ignore it? By keeping marijuana illegal we have unintentionally done all of these things. If marijuana were legalized our economy would improve, our overall health would improve, and crime would decrease.
The impact the legalization of marijuana would have on our economy would be both instant and significant. Marijuana is one of the most versatile crops on the planet, having the potential to be made into over 25,000 products (NAIHC). In many cases, the products made from marijuana are actually a better substitute for certain items, such as paper. The paper made from marijuana is more biodegradable and its harvest would have less of an environmental impact than the continuous harvesting of our trees (NAIHC). Innovations such as these lead us to increased opportunities in
our workforce, ranging from our agricultural to our manufacturing and service industries. Its taxation would also benefit us; if we were to impose a tax on legalized marijuana we could make up to 100 billion dollars annually (Business Week). Not to mention that it is the leading cash crop in twelve of our states even though it is currently illegal (CNBC). The legalization of marijuana is also essential to protecting the health of our citizens. Marijuana, as an illegal narcotic, is not federally regulated. Meaning the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) does not inspect it to make sure that it is safe for consumption. This means that there is no one making sure that the drug is properly stored and uncontaminated, leading to concern for the safety of
Cited: Pranger, B. (2005). benefits of medical marijuana for cancer patients. http://www.articlefeeder.com/Diseases__Conditions_and_Treatments/The_Benefits_Of_Medical_Marijuana_For_Cancer_Patients.html Cohen, P. J. (2010). Medical Marijuana 2010: It 's Time to Fix the Regulatory Vacuum. Journal Of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 38 Hardy, Q. (10.0). Cost of marijuana prohibition: $42 billion per year. http://www.greenchange.org/article.php?id=860 Lynch, S. (2008, July 11). Time Health. http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1821697,00.html NAIHC. (1997, October 06). North american industrial hemp council. http://naihc.org/hemp_information/hemp_facts.html Stamper, N. (2010, April 20). Cnbc marijuana & money. http://www.cnbc.com/id/36201668/Legalization_Will_Reduce_Crime_Free_Up_Police_Resources Stutman, B. (2009, March). Businessweek.com. http://www.businessweek.com/debateroom/archives/2010/03/legalize_mariju.html