Top 10 Reasons Support for Marijuana Legalization is Growing
Marijuana use has been a widely debated topic for several decades for a variety of reasons. Some conservative lawmakers firmly believe that the drug has negative consequences on society, while more liberal advocates point to the research purporting the drug’s health and economic benefits. Although there are a handful of states that currently allow the use of marijuana without legal ramifications, the majority of the United States remains under prohibition of the drug for both recreational and medicinal use. However, a clear shift toward legalization is taking place based on the realities below.
1) It Isn’t a Gateway Drug
For years, marijuana was labeled as a gateway drug, meaning individuals who used it were far more likely to transition to harder illegal substances, such as cocaine or heroin. In recent studies, researchers have shown that while marijuana users may be more susceptible to other drug use after using marijuana, there is no strong evidence that one causes the other. Instead, research shows that the legalization of marijuana may actually decrease harder drug use over time.
2) Safer than Other Drugs
Piggybacking off the gateway drug theory, many people are turning their beliefs toward legalization of marijuana because it is known to be less harmful than two other legal substances: alcohol and tobacco. Alcohol, for instance, causes hundreds of deaths related to overdoses each year, and tobacco is known to set the stage for debilitating health conditions like heart disease and lung cancer. Marijuana has not caused a single overdose in its history.
3) More Americans Support the Cause
In some circles, following the movement of the crowd is increasing support for marijuana legalization. In a recent Gallup Poll, researchers found that the majority of American feel as though the drug should be legalized, and more conservative lawmakers are included in this uptick in support. Since 2001, support percentages have nearly doubled, leading many to jump on board regardless of the ancillary reasons for its legalization.
4) It has Proven Medical Benefits
By far, one of the most common reasons legalization support has continued to increase is the abundance of research that points to the medical benefits of the drug. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reported definitive evidence of cannabis and cannabinoids effectively treating chronic pain in some patients. The drug is also known to reduce the discomfort associated with multiple sclerosis, treating glaucoma, minimizing seizure activity, and eliminating menstrual cramps.
5) Marijuana offers Mental Health Assistance
In addition to medical benefits, specifically focused on reducing pain, marijuana has also been shown to offer mental health benefits to some adults. Anxiety disorders can be calmed with marijuana use, albeit only when the drug is used in small doses. Marijuana has also been linked to adding to the creative inspiration for artists, musicians, and writers.
6) The War on Drugs is Costly
Prohibition of marijuana use, enacted by the federal government in 1937, has been a widespread failure. According to government data, nearly 25 million Americans have been arrested for violations relating to marijuana use or possession, forcing them to move through the court system for minimal crimes. The total cost of these arrests tops $1 trillion and is growing every day.
7) Prohibition is Racist
Not only does prohibition of marijuana lead to unnecessary criminal justice costs throughout the United States but it has also played a significant role in minority communities around the country. The Marijuana Policy Project reports that most marijuana laws are enforced unevenly, with blacks three times more likely to be arrested for possession than whites. Additionally, marijuana drug conventions are unnecessarily harsher on African Americans than their Caucasian counterparts. These realities are leading the charge in moving toward legalization in many states.
8) Economic Advantages
Legalization also has the potential to create economic growth in the cities and states that allow the drug’s use either recreationally or medicinally. Marijuana growth and distribution requires many moving parts, all which create jobs and business opportunities for the right people. Economic infrastructure could benefit from legalizing marijuana, bringing an estimated $1.7 billion in labor income through 2024.
9) Tax Revenue Potential
Adding to economic growth opportunities, legalization of the drug also has the ability to generate much-needed tax revenue for states. Colorado and Washington, for instance, have experienced steady tax revenue growth since legalizing the drug, to the tune of nearly $1 billion since making the move. Fortunately, there are licensing and bonding requirements in place to ensure marijuana businesses operate legally and pay their fair share of taxes on sales, boosting support for legalization even further.
10) Lower Addiction Rates
Finally, legalization support continues to grow because the research highlighting marijuana’s benefits steadily rolls in. The drug has been found to be less addictive than leading pharmaceutical options, offering a safe, natural alternative to individuals in pain. In the wake of the opioid crisis plaguing the United States, many people are looking for these alternatives to save lives and improve health outcomes.
Author:
Eric Weisbrot is the Chief Marketing Officer of JW Surety Bonds. With years of experience in the surety industry under several different roles within the company, he is also a contributing author to the surety bond blog.
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Top 10 Reasons Support for Marijuana Legalization is Growing
Marijuana use has been a widely debated topic for several decades for a variety of reasons. Some conservative lawmakers firmly believe that the drug has negative consequences on society, while more liberal advocates point to the research purporting the drug’s health and economic benefits. Although there are a handful of states that currently allow the use of marijuana without legal ramifications, the majority of the United States remains under prohibition of the drug for both recreational and medicinal use. However, a clear shift toward legalization is taking place based on the realities below.
1) It Isn’t a Gateway Drug
For years, marijuana was labeled as a gateway drug, meaning individuals who used it were far more likely to transition to harder illegal substances, such as cocaine or heroin. In recent studies, researchers have shown that while marijuana users may be more susceptible to other drug use after using marijuana, there is no strong evidence that one causes the other. Instead, research shows that the legalization of marijuana may actually decrease harder drug use over time.
2) Safer than Other Drugs
Piggybacking off the gateway drug theory, many people are turning their beliefs toward legalization of marijuana because it is known to be less harmful than two other legal substances: alcohol and tobacco. Alcohol, for instance, causes hundreds of deaths related to overdoses each year, and tobacco is known to set the stage for debilitating health conditions like heart disease and lung cancer. Marijuana has not caused a single overdose in its history.
3) More Americans Support the Cause
In some circles, following the movement of the crowd is increasing support for marijuana legalization. In a recent Gallup Poll, researchers found that the majority of American feel as though the drug should be legalized, and more conservative lawmakers are included in this uptick in support. Since 2001, support percentages have nearly doubled, leading many to jump on board regardless of the ancillary reasons for its legalization.
4) It has Proven Medical Benefits
By far, one of the most common reasons legalization support has continued to increase is the abundance of research that points to the medical benefits of the drug. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reported definitive evidence of cannabis and cannabinoids effectively treating chronic pain in some patients. The drug is also known to reduce the discomfort associated with multiple sclerosis, treating glaucoma, minimizing seizure activity, and eliminating menstrual cramps.
5) Marijuana offers Mental Health Assistance
In addition to medical benefits, specifically focused on reducing pain, marijuana has also been shown to offer mental health benefits to some adults. Anxiety disorders can be calmed with marijuana use, albeit only when the drug is used in small doses. Marijuana has also been linked to adding to the creative inspiration for artists, musicians, and writers.
6) The War on Drugs is Costly
Prohibition of marijuana use, enacted by the federal government in 1937, has been a widespread failure. According to government data, nearly 25 million Americans have been arrested for violations relating to marijuana use or possession, forcing them to move through the court system for minimal crimes. The total cost of these arrests tops $1 trillion and is growing every day.
7) Prohibition is Racist
Not only does prohibition of marijuana lead to unnecessary criminal justice costs throughout the United States but it has also played a significant role in minority communities around the country. The Marijuana Policy Project reports that most marijuana laws are enforced unevenly, with blacks three times more likely to be arrested for possession than whites. Additionally, marijuana drug conventions are unnecessarily harsher on African Americans than their Caucasian counterparts. These realities are leading the charge in moving toward legalization in many states.
8) Economic Advantages
Legalization also has the potential to create economic growth in the cities and states that allow the drug’s use either recreationally or medicinally. Marijuana growth and distribution requires many moving parts, all which create jobs and business opportunities for the right people. Economic infrastructure could benefit from legalizing marijuana, bringing an estimated $1.7 billion in labor income through 2024.
9) Tax Revenue Potential
Adding to economic growth opportunities, legalization of the drug also has the ability to generate much-needed tax revenue for states. Colorado and Washington, for instance, have experienced steady tax revenue growth since legalizing the drug, to the tune of nearly $1 billion since making the move. Fortunately, there are licensing and bonding requirements in place to ensure marijuana businesses operate legally and pay their fair share of taxes on sales, boosting support for legalization even further.
10) Lower Addiction Rates
Finally, legalization support continues to grow because the research highlighting marijuana’s benefits steadily rolls in. The drug has been found to be less addictive than leading pharmaceutical options, offering a safe, natural alternative to individuals in pain. In the wake of the opioid crisis plaguing the United States, many people are looking for these alternatives to save lives and improve health outcomes.