Response to Morgan regarding my thesis...

Morgan, I suppose without further researching the actual benefits on the economy that the legalization of marijuana would make, it does seem like a preposterous idea, as if we are selling our souls for a buck. But it goes beyond just bettering the economy, and ties in with crime. If we were to legalize marijuana and tax it beyond belief, and reduce the massive amounts of government funding used in the war on drugs, there is more money we could use for bettering the environment, funding schools, and correction facilities. Along with the money it would accrue for the government it would keep that money out of the drug dealer’s hand, and reduce crime. You ask why legalize something that has crimes being committed all over America from it, but drug use and crimes don’t have to go hand in hand. Illegal drug abuse and crimes, on the other hand, do. If marijuana distribution and use is legal, then where would be the crimes committed? Do we see people getting beaten for a cigarette? Or do we see rival liquor stores doing drive-bys? The crimes being committed are in black-market transactions, eliminate the need for the black-market and you eliminate the crimes from the use of them.