Marijuana Legalization

The legalization of marijuana refers to various worldwide efforts to legalize the possession, sale and/or cultivation of marijuana and, in some cases, to create an organized system of distribution and taxation of the substance.

While giving a speech on May 5, 2009, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger stated that it is time to have a debate on the legalization of marijuana. However, the governor made it clear that he in no way is endorsing the decriminalization of cannabis.CSMonitor: Dude… Schwarzenegger says it’s time to debate marijuan (May 5, 2009)

1. Prohibition of marijuana doesn't workAlterNet: The Top Ten Reasons Marijuana Should Be Legal (September 1, 2007)
2. Arrests for marijuana use are disproportionately of blacks and HispanicsAlterNet: The Top Ten Reasons Marijuana Should Be Legal (September 1, 2007)
3. The regulated sale of marijuana would keep it out of hands of youngAlterNet: The Top Ten Reasons Marijuana Should Be Legal (September 1, 2007)
4. Illegal marijuana makes marijuana expensive and funds organized crimeAlterNet: The Top Ten Reasons Marijuana Should Be Legal (September 1, 2007)
5. Legalizing marijuana would open up United States market for hempAlterNet: The Top Ten Reasons Marijuana Should Be Legal (September 1, 2007)
6. Marijuana is far less dangerous than opponents of legalization contendAlterNet: The Top Ten Reasons Marijuana Should Be Legal (September 1, 2007)
7. Marijuana is safer than alcohol, which is legal and regulatedAlterNet: The Top Ten Reasons Marijuana Should Be Legal (September 1, 2007)
8. The taxation of marijuana would benefit government programsAlterNet: The Top Ten Reasons Marijuana Should Be Legal (September 1, 2007)
9. Marijuana prohibition is expensive in regard to law enforcement costsAlterNet: The Top Ten Reasons Marijuana Should Be Legal (September 1, 2007)
10. Many people use marijuana for medical purposesAlterNet: The Top Ten Reasons Marijuana Should Be Legal (September 1, 2007)
11. People will never stop using marijuanaAlterNet: The Top Ten Reasons Marijuana Should Be Legal (September 1, 2007)

1. Marijuana is considered a gateway or stepping-stone drug to harder drugs, such as cocaine and heroinBalancedPolitics.org: Legalization of Marijuana - No
2. More people would use marijuana if it were legalBalancedPolitics.org: Legalization of Marijuana - No
3. More people using marijuana means more people would be driving and operating machinery under the influence of marijuanaBalancedPolitics.org: Legalization of Marijuana - No
4. Legalizing marijuana would make it more likely to be used by the youngBalancedPolitics.org: Legalization of Marijuana - No
5. People who sell marijuana are criminals and might be engaged in other criminal activity that makes them a danger to societyBalancedPolitics.org: Legalization of Marijuana - No
6. Marijuana is physically harmfulBalancedPolitics.org: Legalization of Marijuana - No
7. Marijuana produces dangerous second-hand smokeBalancedPolitics.org: Legalization of Marijuana - No