War on Weed
Mary "Beth" Walker
Essentials in College Writing
January 10, 2013
Terrilynn Fleming

War on Weed
Even though it is thought that the legalization of marijuana would increase the consumption of the drug throughout the United States. Marijuana should be legalized to assistance individuals with health conditions and to help ease the increasing prison population. Marijuana is currently the most commonly used drug in the United States and is consumed by individuals in every social economic position, race, culture, age and by both sexes in America.
First and foremost, the medical research has found that marijuana use in cancer patients that are receiving chemo-therapy have fewer side effects from the toxins ingested in their body during the evasive procedure. It has been found that consuming marijuana can decrease the vomiting and nausea associated with chemo-therapy and in persons diagnosed with AIDS. In addition to cancer, it has been established by the medical field that anorexia patients found marijuana useful to help ingest food and therefore, absorbing the much needed nutrients. The relief these patients are feeling are not only easing these uncomfortable procedures and providing nutrition. But it also allows for fewer side effects that can be extremely harmful, compared to the numerous side effects of the multiple prescription drugs that are prescribed. Many of those who are against the legalization of marijuana state that it is addictive drug. In my opinion the pain killers that are prescribed to millions each day are more addictive. As reported by the ABC news web site, “In 1998, 2.2 percent of people seeking treatment reported abusing prescription pain relievers, but that number has climbed steadily over the years. In 2008, nearly 10 percent reported abusing common prescription drugs such as Vicodin, OxyContin or morphine, according to the study released Thursday” (Hutchison, 2010). These synthetic drugs are causing numerous overdoses and increase in drug rehabilitation throughout the United States.
Currently in the United States, one of the largest agricultural crops is marijuana. As reported by the ABC news website, “the report cites marijuana as the top cash crop in 12 states and among the top three cash crops in 30” (VENKATARAMAN, 2006). The article also states that,” it is also estimated that marijuana production, at a value of $35.8 billion, exceeds the combined value of corn ($23.3 billion) and wheat ($7.5 billion)” (VENKATARAMAN, 2006). With numbers like these it is imperative to legalize and tax marijuana to close the hole of the United States enormous budget, but also provide many needed jobs and help our farmers. Marijuana could be sold like much like liquor is sold currently. In a state regulated locations, precise amounts and taxed just as alcohol is. In addition, according to the website Seattle PI currently, “The federal government spends $19.2 billion every year in fighting the war on drugs; state governments combined spend $77.8 billion every year in this effort” (Brown, 2003). It is equally important that we discuss the excise tax per Seattle PI, “A federal excise tax of 6 percent on the $11 billion U.S. consumers spend on marijuana every year would produce $660 million for the federal government”. (Brown, 2003) This is a significant boost to the United States and individual state economies that are