Marijuana: The Truth

I am also sure everyone has been made well aware that cannabis is a “gateway drug.”  Although many hard drug users did begin with marijuana, it cannot be said that marijuana directly led to more devastating drugs.  In many instances, the only means of obtaining marijuana is from the black market – a dealer.  Because marijuana is included in this black market, it can then be found alongside cocaine and heroine in dealers pockets.  Because cannabis users are then placed near a person who can provide them with these hardcore drugs, they are then more likely to experiment with other drugs.  Therefore marijuana has been unfairly and automatically linked with hardcore drugs, and is therefor known as the “gateway drug.”  Instead our culture should view its inclusion with cocaine and heroine as a product of its situation (a “gateway circumstance” if you will).

The Future

As marijuana use has continued to grow, it has established itself outside of California was well.  More than 1/4 of our states have created medical marijuana laws to allow citizens to legally purchase and use marijuana, if permitted by a doctor.  Despite these state laws, marijuana is still illegal to the Federal Government, and therefore these users continue their use with a cautious eye.  However, with the recent change of presidents and staff, the Obama administration has said that they will no longer ignore state laws, and therefor will not interfere with marijuana use in these states.  This is a relief as the DEA spends billions of dollars every year cracking down on marijuana.  Under these hard economic times, this is a beautiful start.  Furthermore, this relaxed view on marijuana could lead to a decrease in the number of incarcerated criminals.  With over 80% of our inmates in jail for non-violent marijuana possession, a decrease in the number of inmates could lead to a decrease in prison and judicial financing.  For you “Dick and Jane” taxpayers, this means less money is spent housing and feeding people who are placed in prison for little more than smoking a joint.  With this money saved it only seems logical that the DEA could then crack down on more devastating and harmful drugs such as heroine, cocaine, and meth.

To continue a look at the economic impact of cannabis, California provides a perfect microcosm for our nation.  In many parts of California, the sale of cannabis is over 50% of the profits found in these regions.  It continues to be the leading cash crop in the state and has been used to revitalize dying communities throughout the state (see Oaksterdam).  If steps were taken by our federal government, the profits of cannabis would be in the billions, and of course this would all be taxable for Uncle Sam.  I say this, because despite being illegal in most of our states, as a whole, cannabis continues to be in the top three cash crops in our country.

With the increasing federal debt and an increase in violence by the Mexican cartels, something needs to be done.  I believe that controlling the use of marijuana, which has been made inaccurately depicted over the decades could provide a relief from both issues.  Look at what the end of prohibition did for our government and criminals like Al Capone.

Will marijuana ever be legal?  Probably not.  However, with the current “in limbo” status our government has placed on marijuana state and federal laws, I believe something needs to be done.  We are the United States of America after all, aren’t we?  It should be decriminalized, taxed, and no longer seen as a poison and a destroyer of the youth.  If the proper steps are taken, I believe our nation could entertain a HIGHer standard of living and medical patients could finally find an easier and safer path to relief.