Marijuana Legalization on Federal Level

2 Marijuana: Legalization on a federal level The federal legalization of marijuana and the positive effects it can bring to the people and our economy. Marijuana was outlawed in 1970 when the Controlled Substance Act was passed. Since the passing of this bill marijuana has be considered a harmful drug and its users have been criticized, until now. Many states have begun to legalize marijuana for medical and recreational uses and others have at least decimalized it to keep down crime (Alharbi, 2020). Marijuana was once considered a harmful drug, but now it should be legalized in all 50 states because it is already legal in many areas of the country, there is some major opportunities for economic growth, and there are many benefits of marijuana both medical reason and recreational. Marijuana needs to be legalized on a federal level because it is legal in many parts of The United states and has been legalized federal in Canada. In 1937 and prior, marijuana could be bought, sold, grown, and used in the United States. Since then, all Marijuana use has been illegal. When the 1970 Act was passed to classify marijuana as a schedule 1 drug it has made the legalization more difficult (Rich & Stingl, 2018). With marijuana being legal in many different areas it makes for difficult regulations from state to state and someone could be breaking a law and not even be aware that they are doing so and when they get charge it is increase jail populations for petty crime that is legal in may areas. As many states legal and decriminalize the use of marijuana it has decrease jail population (Tran et al., 2020). When looking at the states that have already legalized marijuana one can see the economic growth the states have had since legalizing the use of marijuana. Legalizing marijuana on a federal level can bring in jobs, bring in tax money for the government, and clean out jails. According to the Democratic staff, “The industry totaled more 3 than $8 billion in sales in 2017, with sales estimated to reach $11 billion this year and $23 billion by 2022. There were more than 9,000 active licenses for cannabis in the U.S. in 2017, with the industry employing more than 120,000 people” (Democratic Staff of the Joint Economic Committee, 2018). When marijuana is legalized and sold for recreational purposes the government taxes the sales just as they do on tobacco and alcohol sales; doing this circulates money back into the government as well. The legalization of marijuana on a federal level would release inmates from jail that were incarcerated for possession charges and free up money and space for the jail system (Tran et al., 2020). With marijuana legalized on a federal level it allows for more money to circulate in our economy; not being legalized everywhere jails as still overcrowded with petty charges, states are not getting the high taxes that comes with marijuana legalization, unemployment rates could improve. Not only does legalizing marijuana help our economy, but it can help our bodies physically as well. Marijuana has many benefits for the body and mental health, and just like alcohol or tobacco it can be used recreationally as well. Marijuana has been used for cancer patience for many years now while the go through chemotherapy. Marijuana and oral cannabinoids have been associated with adverse effects on chemotherapy, including gastrointestinal issues, fatigue, headaches and discomfort (Karst, 2018). Marijuana can be used to help treat your mental health; many people have reported many benefits, from relieving insomnia, anxiety, depression, to like epilepsy (Grinspoon, 2020). Marijuana can be used recreationally like alcohol or tobacco to help the body relax and enjoy social time with friends. There are so many benefits to legalizing marijuana; maybe to help ease symptoms of a chronical illness, help improve one’s mental health or even just to enjoy time and relax the body and mind. 4 There are so many good reasons why marijuana should be legal it could be because it is already legal in many parts of the country, its serves so many economic benefits, or maybe one might need marijuana for a health reason. : Legalizing marijuana is proven to have many benefits to our communities. The legalization of marijuana on a federal level would eliminate the state to state laws. It would improve the country’s economy by providing jobs and a huge tax increase for the government that can be used to improve schools, roadways, and much more. Marijuana also has so many known health benefits that can help people without the other side effect of medications. You can look at the states that have already legalized marijuana and see the improvements of their communities. There is less crime, more jobs, the housing market has increase because of the want to live in the area has increase. Also, people that use marijuana for medical purposes rather use something more natural with less side effects rather than chemical medications. It is time to take a stance and move forward in federally legalizing marijuana.