Marijuana should be legalized for economic AND moral reasons, but why?
In the early twentieth century Marijuana was harshly campaigned against, and politicians said that it induced a murderous rage in the most calm and moral of people when used. It became a campaign position and was used to put candidates in the spotlight, gain public approval, and establish their candidacy as moral guardians of the United States.
The reason Marijuana was so harshly criticized suddenly was, not surprisingly, for economic and political reasons. Before the rise of the synthetics market (which of course is now a massive industry since synthetics are used in almost everything we consume today) the market was controlled primarily by hemp. Hemp is from the same plant that THC heavy Marijuana comes from.
The synthetics market sought to demonize the hemp market, and politicians jumped on the bandwagon for financial backing for the suddenly booming industry. Thus began the campaign the make Marijuana illegal.
Although in our recent lifetimes, illegal drug importation came primarily from Columbia, that is no more. The biggest importation of drugs comes from Mexico. Although other hard drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines are also imported from Mexico, the vast majority of importation is Marijuana. If you've paid attention to the news of the last few years, Mexican drug cartels have gained control of most local governments and have corrupted local law enforcement, essentially rendering any resistance impossible.
These drug cartels are as organized as any modern government, but extremely vicious and responsible for the murder, rape, and torture of countless lives. They also successfully control free speech in Mexico, and have even recently begun to control online dissent by tracking down bloggers and making an "example" of them.
"A CNN report describes a gruesome double murder in which two young people in their 20s were disemboweled, mutilated and hung publicly beneath a bridge for all to see—all after being extensively tortured. The dispatch notes the bodies were so brutalized, their innards were visibly hanging out. Why? To send a message: next to their bodies sat a crudely-drawn sign denouncing the pair's use of social media: "This is going to happen to all of those posting funny things on the Internet. You better (expletive) pay attention. I'm about to get you." The narcoterrorist poster board was signed with a Z, pointing to the notorious (and notoriously bloodthirsty) Zetas cartel." -Gizmodo
Americans who purchase illegal drugs are (inadvertently) funding terrorism.
In the US, Marijuana related arrests are massive, and are a large contributor to overcrowding in prisons and a large chunk of tax payer money that goes into the arrest, trial, and jail time for these 'criminals.'
So what is most likely to happen if the United States legalizes Marijuana and taxes it properly?
The tax revenue from taxing Marijuana will be quite substantial, alleviating some of our debt crisis. Marijuana will become regulated, and therefor be much safer. The rise in price and loss of excitement will most likely reduce Marijuana use as a result.
In actuality, anyone who has ever smoked Marijuana or been around users know that it is a relatively safe drug, and arguably much safer then alcohol consumption.
More importantly however, is that since the US is the biggest consumer of illegal drugs in Mexico, is that making it legalized would decimate the amount of control and power drug cartels have in Mexico, and therefor begin to dismantle the corrupt cartel government and save countless lives and allow Mexicans to have much greater control of their freedoms and basic human rights.
So my opinion, based on statistical assumptions and a lack of concrete information on the black market, legalizing Marijuana would be a massive step in the right direction, morally and economically. Unfortunately, politicians and moral assumptions by the public forbid this from happening so far. Although there is hope, as legalized medical Marijuana is a step in the right direction, and this country seems to be becoming more and more understanding of the actual positives and negatives of keeping Marijuana illegal versus legalizing it.
Gizmodo Article: Mexican Drug Terrorists Torture and Murder Online Critics
