The Negative Impacs of Marijuana Prohibition

Cultivation, possession, and distribution are all illegal in the United States resulting in 13 million marijuana arrests since 1970. Currently, it is estimated that 77,000 marijuana-related offenders are in prison right now (Marijuana Prohibition Facts). Taxpayer money is spent rapidly to arrest and pro

Lymphoma Foundation of America, have endorsed medical access to marijuana. Marijuana is considered useful by patients and their doctors in treatment for AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and other diseases. Despite the endorsements the federal government only allows seven patients within the United States to use marijuana medicinally. The program those seven patients participate in is now closed to any and all new applicants. All other patients using marijuana medicinally are considered criminals. Americans are firm in their desires. 72% believe that marijuana users should not be jailed and 80% endorse marijuana’s uses in treating seriously ill adults (Marijuana Prohibition Facts).

Various respected organizations such as the AIDS Action Council, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Public Health Association, and the

Marijuana continues to be the third most popular recreational drug in the United States despite 60 years of criminal prohibition. The government estimates nearly 70 million Americans have smoked marijuana at some point in their lives. Of those 10 million are regular marijuana users (NORML). Most of these people are otherwise law-abiding citizens who are supported by their fellow citizens, 72% of whom believe that marijuana users should not be jailed (Marijuana Prohibition Facts). Because marijuana offenders are jailed, the government must spend billions in tax money in persecuting and incarcerating these offenders. Medical uses for marijuana are plentiful. Marijuana provides pain relief and relief from often painful and dehabilitating symptoms of diseases like multiple sclerosis and cancer. Even the U.S government’s studies concluded that, “existing research seems to indicate that there is little apparent relationship between the severity of sanctions prescribed for drug use and prevalence or frequency of use, and that perceived legal risk explains very little in the variance of individual drug use.” (Marijuana Prohibition Facts). The U.S should listen to its public and follow the examples of the eleven states which have already decriminalized.

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