Should Marijuana Be Legalized

Should Marijuana Be Legalized There are many pros and cons concerning the argument of the legalization of Marijuana. By far, the two biggest pro arguments are the medical benefits along with the tax revenue that legalization could bring. As for the cons, one can argue about the potential increase in crime and the potential spike in dependency issues with other drugs. Other concerns are the potential for marijuana being a gateway drug or perhaps the illegal sale by some of the very people in which legalization, medical or recreational, is geared towards. On the other side, byproducts of marijuana have the potential use as paper or even clothing. As one can see, one can go on and on with positive and negative thoughts or feelings about this topic. Several facts remain. The use of marijuana has increased over the last decade. According to research by Pew Research Center, “Just two years ago, 40% of adults said they had tried marijuana. In both 2003 and 2001, 38% said they had used marijuana. In the latest Pew Research Center survey, conducted in March, the number of those saying they had ever tried marijuana climbed to 48%, the highest number ever”. (Pew Research Center, 2013) Also consider New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to decriminalize possession of 15 grams or less during his State of the State address, “Roughly 50,000 arrests in New York City for marijuana possession, more than any other possession.” He continues to say, “These arrests stigmatize, they criminalize, they create a permanent record. It's not fair. It's not right. It must end. And it must end now. The problem is