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Patrick Zalinov

UWRT1102

Helveston

3 February 2017

Inquiry Project: Legalization of Marijuana

One of the most polarizing discussions in politics for the past decade, the legalization of

marijuana is an argument that comes up very often in political debates. The drug has been illegal

since the early 1900s and recently the push for federal legalization has been stronger than ever

(Marijuana Law). Of course, this argument has been longstanding because both sides have

their pros and cons. What are the potential benefits/downsides of legalization, and what do

groups involved in this debate have to gain/lose on this subject?

First, you must look at the perspective of the consumer of marijuana. According to a poll

conducted among adults by Gallup in 2016, 13% of adults use marijuana often, while 43% have

used it before (McCarthy). They note that this is an increase in both categories since 2013, where

only 7% of adults use marijuana often and 38% said they have tried it before. The 2014 National

Institute on Drug Abuse also found that that marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug

(Most commonly used..). This shows how the debate has been rising in relevance as more and

more people have been using the drug as the years go by.
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So the question is: why do so many people use marijuana? For most people, pleasure is

definitely a factor in their use. Recreationally use to obtain a high is the main reason people use
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the drug, which is why some people might be against the legalization of it. They could obtain a

high, and go do potentially harmful things under the influence of marijuana like drive a car.

However, the step that most consumers want to see occur is from federally illegal to at least

being legal for medical usage.

A neurological study conducted on the potential benefits of medical marijuana use found

results that verify claims of medical marijuana being effective in certain ailments (Koppel,

Barbara S., et al.). They found that acting ingredients marijuana (such as THC) are

effective/probably effective in the following ailments: central nervous system pain, tremors, and

painful spasms. However the same study also found that it was ineffective/possibly harmful to

certain ailments as well such as neurological disorders like Parkinsons or dyskinesia, which is

an impairment in voluntary movements (Koppel, Barbara S., et al.).

However, marijuana of course isnt a miracle drug that heals ailments with no

repercussions. Many studies suggest that marijuana can have negative effects on health, which is

another aspect of the health point. A study published by the White House goes over several

negative health aspects of smoking marijuana, specifically in youth. They note that 9% of

children age 12-17 reported use within the past month of being surveyed (Marijuana

Legalization: A Bad Idea). This is noteworthy because if marijuana became legal, it would

become easier to access for kids (even with an age limit like cigarettes and alcohol) and would

increase usage which would lead to more exposure to negative effects. The same source lists

some of the most noteworthy effects, such as impaired cognitive and immune system function as

well as possible anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and schizophrenia (Marijuana

Legalization: A Bad Idea). Research has also found that carcinogens (found in cigarette smoke,
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typically harmful) are also present in marijuana smoke and in higher quantities, and that could

also have a negative effect (Marijuana Legalization: A Bad Idea).

Another perspective you must look at when considering the legalization of marijuana is

the revenue gained. Many people argue that by not having marijuana legalized, the US has been

losing hundreds of millions since it is not being taxed. Cigarettes are usually used as an example,

showing how many millions in tax dollars are generated (Kilmer, Beau, et al).

However, a study conducted by RAND that focuses on potential legalization of marijuana

California showed that the revenue that would be generated would not be as significant as people

think (Kilmer, Beau, et al). Their research shows that if marijuana is legalized in California, the

prices of it could fall up to 80% of its current value. Taking factors into account such as

production costs, they estimate that legal marijuana would drop from about 375 dollars/ounce to

about 40 dollars/ounce. That is relevant because the taxes would obviously be based on the

estimated 40 dollar number, and not the 375 dollar number. More supply produced legally means

that production costs go down, which significantly lowers the price compared to what it is now,

which means much less tax revenue than expected (Kilmer, Beau, et al).

Another big perspective of this argument: prisons. Whether you agree with it or not, for-

profit prisons are a very real thing in the United States and they actually benefit from people

being incarcerated. The two companies that benefit most are GEO and the Corrections

Corporation of America. The Washington Post puts it into perspective nicely: [GEO and

Corrections Corporation of America] now rake in a combined $3.3 billion in annual revenue

(Cohen). These private prisons actually end up benefiting from people being incarcerated, and it

shows. The Washington Post continues, saying, the private federal prison population more than

double between 2000 and 2010 (Cohen). This all relates back to marijuana legalization because
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marijuana possession/consumption is a crime that is committed very often. If these private

prisons have legitimate reasons to detain and imprison people, they will act on it. This means that

private prisons will never support the legalization of marijuana, which loops back to the

government. Private prisons will be sure to lobby money to politicians to try to make sure that

big pro-marijuana bills do not pass. Thinkprogress finds that in the past decade, up to $45 million

dollars has been spent on campaign donations and lobbyists to push legislation at the state and

federal level (Shen). Politicians will then respond to the private prisons wishes and follow

through. This is why private prisons are a huge, but often forgotten factor in the discussion for

marijuana legalization. They are a very powerful industry that highly benefits having the drugs

being illegal, so it is no surprise they fight very hard to keep the federally illegal status.

All of these perspectives are important when considering the debate of legalization.

However, there are some gaps in the research. While researching, I definitely expected to find

negative repercussions of recreationally smoking marijuana as most smoke is carcinogenic and

typically harmful, and most of the benefits found were found for people using the drug medically

for specific ailments. However, I was also expecting to find information on whether or not

somebody can actually benefit from smoking the drug recreationally other than achieving a high

but had no luck.

Given these main factors, potential marijuana legalization will always be a worthwhile

debate and could potentially stay a debate for a long time. Both sides have their good points,

whether its the user who could need the the drug to help their medical issues, or the side against

legalization that does not want the drug more readily available and create possible harm done to

their potential youth. This will most likely stay a debate for a long time though as we see large
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and powerful groups with interests against legalization (private prisons being an example) who

will try to make sure marijuana does not become federally legal.

Works Cited

Cohen, Michael. "How For-profit Prisons Have Become the Biggest Lobby No One Is Talking

About." The Washington Post. WP Company, 28 Apr. 2015. 02 Apr. 2017.

Kilmer, Beau, et al. Altered state?: assessing how marijuana legalization in California could

influence marijuana consumption and public budgets. Santa Monica, CA: RAND, 2010.

Koppel, Barbara S., et al. "Systematic review: Efficacy and safety of medical marijuana in

selected neurologic disorders Report of the Guideline Development Subcommittee of the

American Academy of Neurology." Neurology 82.17 (2014): 1556-1563.

"Marijuana Law Reform Timeline." The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana

Laws. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2017.

Marijuana Legalization: A Bad Idea. Washington, D.C.: Office of National Drug Control Policy,

Executive Office of the President, 2010. Internet resource.

"Most Commonly Used Addictive Drugs." NIDA. National Institute on Drug Abuse, n.d. 03 Apr.
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2017.

McCarthy, Justin. "One in Eight U.S. Adults Say They Smoke Marijuana." Gallup.com. N.p., 08

Aug. 2016. Web. 01 Apr. 2017.

Shen, Aviva. "Private Prisons Spend $45 Million On Lobbying, Rake In $5.1 Billion For

Immigrant Detention Alone." ThinkProgress. 03 Aug. 2012. Web. 03 Apr. 2017.