Pubdate: Thu, 30 Apr 2009 Source: Guardian (Wright State U, OH Edu) Copyright: 2009 Guardian Contact: http://www.theguardianonline.com/2.9150 Website: http://www.theguardianonline.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4586 Author: Tasha Champ CRITIQUING "HOW WILL LEGALIZING WEED IMPROVE AMERICA'S ECONOMY?" BY DANIEL CWIAKALA In fact, weed is a gateway drug that is getting more and more popular in our communities. Marijuana use is increasing everyday and many people get caught with it all the time. However, I do believe legalizing the drug will ultimately help society and the economy. I agree with what Daniel Cwiakala on the statement made which said, "There is no way that simply using money gained by the legalization of weed will save our economy." Of course the sales only from marijuana will not get our country out of dept but it will help. Even if the profit of weed distribution is 6.2 billion dollars a year that is 6.2 billion dollars we would not have had without this upcoming change of law. Each year more money will be made from each sale so more tax revenue will go to the government to help our struggling economy. No, weed legalization alone will not completely clear debt in The United States but overall it will help our country and our beloved America needs all the help we can get. Another advantage of legalizing marijuana is it would help with our crime rate and the government can keep an eye on what is being sold because they would be the distributors. Legalizing weed would make it have no risk so many people would see it as not that much fun due to it not being as thrilling, this is bad but many people do things because it is illegal and they feel a rush when they do it. Many Americans would quit smoking or smoke less because it is legalized and it would not be as risky which also means not as much fun. The government should have a limit on what one person can buy to keep bad decisions from being made and so that there will be a higher profit in return. Police officers and law enforcers can put a harsher punishment on drug dealers, instead of a slap on the wrist they can send them to prison for a long time because there is no need to sell when you can buy it in the store. Crime rate would diminish because drug dealers would be out of business and citizens would not be in trouble for using marijuana. Tasha Champ - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom