Final Draft

Legalizing Marijuana

Ben Miller

COM/172

01/09/2012

James Lane

In today’s society a good way to create jobs, boost the economy, and reduce crime would be to legalize marijuana. Legalizing marijuana can create jobs such as production and distribution and state and federal level jobs. By making marijuana legal it will boost the economy from government regulated taxes and revenue streams. When marijuana is no longer a focus for police officers, they will be able to focus more of their attention on other, more serious crimes. Today's society needs a new door to open and this issue could solve three major problems that Americans face everyday. Many people do not want to legalize marijuana because they think more people will use it when in actuality decriminalizing marijuana is not going to lead to increased use of marijuana. In countries that have decriminalization policies, use is actually lower or comparable to use in countries where it is restricted.

The road from the field to the smoker is a long one and the plant passes through many hands along the way. Therefore, legalizing marijuana would create jobs at a retail level such as growing, cutting, processing, distribution and sales. Being able to grow marijuana legally would not only benefit farmers, but it would also benefit the average person looking to make some extra money by opening a greenery to bring in extra income. Farmers, distributors, store owners, bakers and marijuana law would all become potential careers for those in the field. Smaller part time jobs would also be created for those who need them, such as cashiers, assistants, truck drivers and clerks. More jobs would be created at a state and federal level because governments take on inspectors and regulators to oversee the marijuana production industry. In a nation with a 9.1 percent unemployment rate, these jobs are vital.

Decriminalizing marijuana would boost the economy in remarkable ways. If marijuana was legal it would have to be...