Pros – Arguments For Legalization of Pot

1. There are many health benefits to pot use, especially for pain reduction, many of which aren’t covered by medical prescription laws.
2. Limiting its use intrudes on our personal freedom.
3. The drug generally is not more harmful than alcohol, tobacco, or many over-the-counter medications & supplements.
4. Police, court, and jail resources would be freed up for more dangerous crimes.
5. Legalization of any drugs would mean lower prices; therefore, related crimes like robbery used to raise money would be reduced.
6. Drug dealers, including some terrorists, would suffer a major loss of revenue.
7. Street justice related to drug disputes would be reduced.
8. Legalized pot could be taxed, which would bring in badly-needed tax revenue.
9. The FDA or other oversight bodies could regulate the quality and safety of the drug.
10. Like alcohol, sex, and cigarettes, pot is one of life’s little pleasures that should be available to those who seek it.
11. Aside from recreational and medical use, Cannabis has several industrial and commercial uses. Over 25,000 products can be made from the crop.
12. Research studies related to the use of marijuana cannot be completed due to its illegality, so both positive and negative effects cannot be ascertained.
13. In America, people should be able to do whatever they want provided it doesn’t hurt or infringe upon the rights of others.
14. Drug convictions often trap young people in a flawed justice system that turns them into lifelong criminals. A harmless conviction is stamped to their permanent record which hurts them in the job market.
15. It’d be fun to see what commercials and ads companies come up with to sell pot.

Cons – Arguments Against Legalization of Pot

1. Marijuana is often uses as a stepping-stone drug, leading to harder drug use such as heroin and cocaine.
2. Legalization increases the chances the drug will fall into the hands of kids.
3. Stoned driving and other dangers would increase.
4. Use of the drug can lead to damage to the brain, heart, and lungs.
5. Widespread use would increase the dangers of secondhand smoke to bystanders.
6. Legalizing pot is a slippery slope that may lead to calls for legalization of more dangerous, addictive drugs.

Recommended Solution

• Legalize pot at the federal level for both medicinal and recreational use; applies only to adults in private or designated public locations.
• Remove all banking/financial restrictions for producers and sellers.
• Allow use by minors in limited medicinal cases if approved by both a parent and a physician.
• Levy a small national tax on producers, sellers, and buyers.
• Allow states to set age requirements and any other restrictions.
• Harshly punish use of pot while driving or engaging in any other activity that threatens public safety.
• Make it a federal crime to sell marijuana to a minor.

Final Message from Mr. Mackey

Written by: Joe Messerli
Last Modified: 3/3/2019