Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug on the planet.

To many, it's considered an evil weed, but to some, it's a sacred plant, even a lifesaver. For decades the global supply of cannabis was run by criminals, but now an almost-legal industry, worth billions of dollars, is sky rocketing. Today, growers are leading an agricultural revolution. Should government be able to restrict societies use of "God's gift"? The positive affects on the country if marijuana were to be legalized out weigh the negative. Marijuana is popular, abundant and productive, costing about $400 a pound to grow and selling at $6,000 a pound on the street. It is most likely inevitable that an effort would be made to legalize it. The Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010 plans to do so. The act would allow possession of one ounce of marijuana for personal use by people the age of 21 and older. It would permit marijuana use in private residences or public places licensed for on-site consumption, and allow marijuana production in homes for personal use. It includes strong restrictions regarding the sale or use of marijuana to minors, and would permit city and county governments to regulate and tax it. The consumption of marijuana has positive and negative affectes. Marijuana is widely regarded by many physicians and experts as a very effective medicinal drug. It is fast acting when smoked and is believed to have very little negative side effects if used in a controlled fashion. It is used as a pain reliever, stress reliever and appetite enhancer for patients of cancer, HIV/AIDS, arthritis and many other diseases and ailments. It's negative effects include distorted perception, lack of proper coordination, trouble with problem-solving, increased heart rate and reduced blood pressure. However these are only short term effects. The few long term effects consist of minor decrease of brain cells and lung damage. However, you cannot compare the damage done by marijuana to that done by alchohol, cigarettes and other drugs. Cigarettes can cause many different types of cancer, while marijuana is often perscribed to help relieve the pain of the cancer patient. Studies show that marijuana smokers often smoke less marijuana cigarettes than tobacco smokers smoke cigarettes. Marijuana is also used to rid of the uneasy feeling of nausea and used successfully in the treatment of neurogenic pain. This sacred herb is also known to open the mind and begin a creative experience. The cannabis culture even has its own profound religion. This cannabis religion requires a believer to consume and distribute cannabis as sacrament and medicine. It takes prophecies of the ancient biblical texts, combining them with the writings of African-American philosopher Marcus Garvey. There was much effort and struggle to finally get the acceptance of present-day cannabis religion. If marijuana were to be legalized it would do so much good to this country. Patients and people with specific illnesses can be perscribed marijuana to help them live free of pain and to increase their appetite. Marijuana cigarettes have been used to treat chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and research has shown that THC is more quickly absorbed from marijuana smoke than from an oral preparation. It is the most efficient and the most popular drug suggested to people with deadly illnesses, including HIV/AIDS. Besides the physical help cannabis provides, its legalization would also boost the country's economy. The illegal import of drugs into the United States is a multi-billion dollar a year industry, all of the profit going to criminals, killers, and dangerous organizations. If marijuana were legalized and regulated, the marijuana black market would be entirely eliminated and both the war on marijuana and its illegal sale would be eliminated, freeing up important government resources. Marijuana would be taxed and regulated much like alcohol and tobacco are today. It would be produced in many forms including pre-rolled cigarettes and food products which could be consumed responsibly by citizens within the law. Potential income from the taxes on marijuana sales per year would substantially help the U.S.economy, so much it could quite possibly take us out of this economic recession. Statistics have shown that cannabis is the number one cash crop of Calfifornia and brings in 14 billion dollars a year in income in that state alone. Many a heated argument could be had over the topic of marijuana use and potential legalization. We as a society have been raised to know that marijuana is bad and illegal and against our moral standards. Why do we view alcohol consumption so differently and accept it so readily? Because we were raised after the Prohibition and throughout our lifetime, alcohol has been legal and socially accepted. Maybe the future generations will accept marijuana use in much

the same way, especially if the supporters of marijuana legalization get their weed...I mean way!