The Same Old Story About A Plant

     It feels almost ridiculous to even write about marijuana, but it's an national issue that still has yet to be solved. It seems as though legislators find it easier to shove it to the side in hopes that maybe the next generation will sort something out. I, for one, am all about progressivism. In the words of Einstein, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Only a fool would deny that the universe constantly changes and in order to survive, we must adapt to any social changes that come our way. The consumption of Cannabis is nothing new under the sun, but it's received a negative reputation. 
     I'm sure most of you know the same statistic that hasn't changed and more than likely won't change any time soon: There are not any existing recorded deaths that are marijuana-related. In fact, marijuana has been proved to diminish pain, reduce blood pressure, suppress cancer, and treat glaucoma among other disorders and diseases. Marijuana is not known to create the anger, nausea, and devastation that alcohol can create when used in high measures. It also is not 1/16th as toxic for the human body as commonly used and accepted objects such as cigarettes and plastic. The tobacco industry is one of the most vulgar, corrupt, and filthy rich companies alive. Smoking cigarettes are directly linked to cancer, harm every organ in the body, as well as cause many lung diseases. There are over 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke. Chemical additives are also present in the majority of foods that most Americans regularly eat. So why do we trust harmful, manmade chemicals over pure nature? It just doesn’t seem to make very much sense.
     If you are not convinced by now that legislators should get a move on with marijuana legalization, here’s another reason why it would make our country a better place: It would drastically improve our weak economy. 300 economists have estimate that legalizing marijuana could save the United States up to $14 billion a year. Not only would it bring some heavy tax revenue, but it would also cut our spending from enforcement and prison costs for marijuana-related charges. (Illegal marijuana as an industry rakes in almost $40 million dollars. We might as well be paying that to our country.) Sure, it would not solve all of our problems, but it would substantially help. 
     The last reason why this green plant should be legalized is because by keeping it illegal, the government is infringing on our rights of choice. Since there isn’t any worthy scientifically evidence to prove that marijuana is harmful to humankind, making and keeping it illegal seems like an industrial decision as well as one made just to be in control of what the “little guy” does. It is our choice to drink, to vote, to get an education, to get married, to reproduce, to recycle, to donate to charity, and you get my point here. We make all of our personal decisions individually, we live with them and learn from them, and that is freedom. We should be capable of making our decisions as long as they do not hurt or harm others. This country prides itself for being a free country, but we are being told to live freely only under certain guidelines. (Who we can and can’t marry, what we can and can’t do for recreational or health purposes, etc.) Keeping marijuana illegal seems not only like an illogical choice, but a punishing one. To finish this off, I’m going to put a funny quote from Seth Rogen: “If marijuana is not legal within the next five years, I have no faith in humanity, period.”