Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is a popular, illegal substance and the subject of national debate regarding whether or not the government should actually allow it to be sold and used. Research suggests that, while the movement to legalize marijuana has become popular it would still be best if it were to remain illegal. Supporters feel that marijuana is a drug that is safe and non-addictive. They also say that tax revenue collected from sales would outweigh the social cost of legalization, and that legalized marijuana would reduce the amount spent on substance abuse treatment due to less people using marijuana for the thrill of doing something illegally. These claims tend to be false based on real evidence. Facts show that marijuana is highly abused, there are consequences to public and individual health, and there are indicators that the overall cost of legalization would be more costly that any profit.
“Marijuana is the most commonly abused illegal drug in the United States and around the world,” says a CNBC article. Even when ranked amongst the world’s legal drugs, marijuana is thought to the fourth most abused, right behind caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. In his article, “Marijuana Laws Should Not Be Relaxed,” Republican Congressman Mark Souder suggests that marijuana is addictive, possibly serving a gateway to more powerful drugs. Cannabis is thought to be abused the most by teenagers. “Supply not only influences, but creates demand,” according to former DEA