Henderson 1

Alyssa Henderson

Brandon Dominguez

English 1010

18 April 2019

Legalization of Cannabis

Cannabis, also known as marijuana, has been quite the topic lately considering we just voted

upon this decision here in Utah. I will be arguing why the legalization of cannabis is important

and beneficial to us all. Including medical and recreational use here in Utah. With over half of

the country (60-62%) in favor of legalizing marijuana, the overwhelming data on its health

benefits, and becoming a new source for more jobs and proceeds there is numerous benefits to

legalizing marijuana. Though it may increase energy use to grow more commercially and

potentially be harmful for underage kids, I have ideas that combat some of these problems. This

is a significant topic to start talking about because this benefits you directly by lowering heavy

statistics about your loved ones, as well as saving time and money. I know legalizing and

regulating cannabis, just as we do alcohol can be very beneficial, if we can just look past the

stigma it carries.

One of the first and most obvious reasons why cannabis should be legalized is that most of the

public agrees on this issue! Recent polls have consistently shown that 60-62% of the public

supports the legalization of cannabis. “About six-in-ten Americans (62%) say the use of

marijuana should be legalized, reflecting a steady increase over the past decade” (Hartig).
 Henderson 2

A separate poll from Quinnipiac University in April of last year found 94% who supported the

legalization. Our congress’ job is to represent the people and if they cannot do that, they are

risking getting voted out of office.

Another benefit of cannabis is the potential revenue and jobs it could bring to the table.

According to New Frontier Data, the cannabis industry will have created an estimated 283,422

jobs by the year 2020 (Song). This is obviously central to political stability and economic

growth. Providing a safer and more regulated way to dispense cannabis, just like alcohol. States

and potentially even federal government can also benefit from the tax revenue gained from

selling medical and recreational cannabis. Nearly $200 million dollars in taxes was collected in

2016, in Colorado for example. This could be a great benefit for our economy and states.

Marijuana continues to show positive benefits through more and more clinical studies being

done. If we look at the state of Colorado again and their recent legalization of recreational

cannabis, we find a lot of important statistics. One of these including, opioid-related deaths

declining 6.5% since the legalization (American Public Health Association). This stopped a trend

of fourteen years of continuous opioid death increase in Colorado! Legalizing marijuana could

really be a huge step forward in the medical field, allowing new, natural and incredible

discoveries for patients. There are so many medical conditions marijuana can benefit including,

“Alleviating symptoms of a wide range of debilitating medical conditions, including cancer,

HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s Disease, epilepsy, and Crohn’s Disease” (Drug

Policy Alliance). I know multiple people in my life who have used medical marijuana for MS,

and it has turned their life around, being the only thing that has helped their horrific nerve pain.

These benefits out way the negatives and coming up with new ideas can stump some of the

downfalls to legalization. Obviously, we don’t want it more readily available for our youth, but I
 Henderson 3

think we underestimate how easy it is to access cannabis day to day. Popular statements I have

heard is that if we legalize marijuana, we will use a lot more environmental energy. Evan Mills,

Ph.D., from the Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory completed a 2012 study that showed

legal indoor marijuana farms were accounting for 1% of our nation’s electricity use. Which

ended up coming out to be $6 billion dollars a year (Williams). Keep in mind that this came

before many states had even legalized cannabis yet. With the legalization of cannabis, you could

think that this would lead to overwhelming electrical demands. But there are many ways to

combat this issue including regulating indoor growing use! Move it outside where we can use

natural resources. With the legalization, people can grow in the climates that match the needs of

their plants. It is also said that growing could be harmful to wildlife, but so can any other crop

due to harmful pesticides and chemicals. With naturally grown cannabis and growing regulations

it will be safer to consume without harmful pesticides and chemicals, which in return will be

safer for wildlife.

In all, cannabis has many beneficial aspects. Most importantly to the people in need of them,

like my dear grandmother living with multiple sclerosis. Her nerve pain was really affecting her

love of life and the eventual use of marijuana has given her, her life back. So, marijuana isn’t for

you? That’s okay. But let’s not keep it from the millions of people suffering everyday when they

could have relief and a potential cure in their reach.

 Henderson 4

Works Cited

Hartig, Hannah, and Abigail Geiger. “62% Of Americans Favor Legalizing Marijuana.” Pew

Research Center, Pew Research Center, 8 Oct. 2018, www.pewresearch.org/fact-

tank/2018/10/08/americans-support-marijuana-legalization/.

Song, Bertie. “U.S. Cannabis Market Creates 283,422 Jobs by 2020.” New Frontier Data, 17

Sept. 2018, newfrontierdata.com/marijuana-insights/new-frontier-data-u-s-cannabis-market-

creates-283422-jobs-2020/.

Marijuana Facts. Drug Policy Alliance,

www.drugpolicy.org/sites/default/files/dpa_marijuana_booklet_january2018_0.pdf.

Williams, Sean. “Will the Marijuana Industry Ever Go Green?” The Motley Fool, The Motley

Fool, 4 Dec. 2016, www.fool.com/investing/2016/12/04/will-the-marijuana-industry-ever-go-

green.aspx.

Williams, Sean. “Marijuana Stock Investors, Take Note: The Weed Industry Could Create

283,422 Jobs by 2020.” The Motley Fool, The Motley Fool, 23 July 2017,

www.fool.com/investing/2017/07/23/marijuana-stock-investors-take-note-the-weed-indus.aspx.

“Marijuana Legalization and Regulation.” Drug Policy Alliance,

www.drugpolicy.org/issues/marijuana-legalization-and-regulation.