Touchstone 4

SPEECH 1

SPEECH 2

Speech

Student’s Name

Date

Speech

Introduction

               Marijuana is a plant that has a component called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that changes the functioning of the mind once used and goes under a series of street names that some of you here may know. These tags include; Hash, pot, and weed. Marijuana has been an illegal drug in the United States since 1914; however, in the past decade, many states have moved to decriminalize its use. More states should decriminalize Marijuana because in the first place, the decision to prohibit it was misled and not in the public interest. Marijuana should be legalized because it has health benefits and is a viable profit venture. 

Marijuana Legalization

           The prohibition of marijuana in the US dates back to 1914 when the first states began drafting and passing laws against the use of the drug. By 1925, more than 25 states had passed policies that made marijuana use illegal (Campos, 2017). These laws were passed despite there no being research that indicated that marijuana use was harmful to the population. Furthermore, the public had never complained about the drug; therefore, the introduction and the passing of such laws were shocking and out of place. After a few years of the prohibition of marijuana, many states began to allow for its use for medical purposes because of the drug's ability to treat pain among patients. 

           The 21st century has been the decade in which the laws prohibiting marijuana have been overturned in many states (Campos, 2017). This change in tune comes from the fact that states could not explain why the drug was made illegal in the first place. Furthermore, citizens of the country have increasingly rallied for the legalization of the drug. Although marijuana laws have been overturned in many states, there are some states in which the drug is illegal (Todd, 2018). It is time for these states to follow the examples of their counterparts and make marijuana use legal, both for recreational and medical purposes. 

           The legalization of marijuana will have many benefits for the states that are yet to legalize the drug. For one, marijuana legalization will improve the economy of the country as it is a potential cash crop (Todd, 2018). Marijuana farming will limit unemployment rates in the US and result in increased revenue for the government from the taxation of the produce. The legalization of marijuana will allow America to attain its goal of reducing incarceration rates in state prisons since many convicted felons in the country are guilty of marijuana possession. 

Reports indicate that close to 50% of drug arrests in the country in 2018 were related to marijuana possession (Maier, Mannes and Koppenhofer, 2017). Legalizing the drug will overturn these convictions and allow the individuals to rejoin society and take part in building the nation’s economy. The legalization of marijuana will make the country safer and allow the police to concentrate on other criminal activities (Todd, 2018). When the drug is legal, people will not have to purchase it illegally and have run-ins with the police. Moreover, people will be protected from buying marijuana that has been laced with other dangerous drugs, as is the norm these days. 

Conclusion

           Many states in the US have recognized the benefits of marijuana and have overturned laws prohibiting the drug; however, others are yet to make this step. There is a need for such states to legalize marijuana for the good of the people and the government. Legalizing the drug will term those using it recreationally not criminals and will allow for gains from economic activities from the plant. 

References

Campos, I. (2017). Marijuana Prohibition.

Maier, S. L., Mannes, S., & Koppenhofer, E. L. (2017). The implications of marijuana decriminalization and legalization on crime in the United States. Contemporary Drug Problems, 44(2), 125-146.

Todd, T. (2018). The benefits of marijuana legalization and regulation. Berkeley J. Crim. L., 23, 99.