In 2014 the FBI reported 1,561,231 arrests for drug law violations. 83.1% of those arrests (1,297,383) were for possession of a controlled substance. Annually the U.S. spends more than $51,000,000,000 on the war on drugs. The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world at 1 in 111 adults. There are countless stories of people overdosing on drugs, people who are arrested for possessing these drugs even if they are responsible users. There are hard questions that need to be answered. What are the “safe” drugs? When is it acceptable to use these drugs? What happens after I use this drug? When used responsibly drugs have a place in society and users should not be incarcerated. Before we can decide whether or not …show more content…
While those people are being selfish, they may have a point. The legalization of drugs can bring huge benefits as well as disadvantages to society. Like stated earlier drugs have different effects on the person and in some cases we have the opportunity to use those effects for good with medical research and advances. Besides medical drug legalization can affect outside sources such as; the economy, job creation, and crime rate. Research is showing promising signs that hallucinogens can play a part in the treatment of mental illnesses and other conditions. One main part of 12-step recovery programs is the processing of personal memories that produce shame, hurt, or resentment, followed by voicing these feelings to another human being(Scheve, Tom). Currently the medical use of marijuana is legal in 23 states. There are many advantages to the medical use of marijuana, however there are just as many unknown effects of the drug. Some of the big advantages to the legalization of medical marijuana are; slowing and stopping cancer cells from spreading, preventing alzheimer's disease, relieves arthritis, and can control epileptic seizures. Most of the effects of marijuana come from THC, this is also the active ingredient in marijuana that causes the recreational user to feel the “high”(Kabir, Sumaiya).There are economic advantages to legalizing weed also. After colorado legalized medical as well as the recreational use of cannabis, the state pulled in $3.5 million in tax revenue from legal pot sales in january of 2014 alone. Along with legalization the state reported 10,000 new jobs from both medical and recreational sources. Many of these jobs are paying higher than minimum wage. For example bud trimmers are being paid $15 an hour(Sarich, Christina). Cannabis use has increased in the US among teenagers in recent years, unlike nicotine, alcohol or opioids, and the