President Barack Obama recently made it clear that he is against legalizing of marijuana. His message was delivered on his website, Change.gov, even before he placed his hand on the Lincoln Bible.
Many are saying in these tough economic times, taxing legalized pot could be a way to bring in more money. But others say it’s not a good idea.
Legalize weed makes the statement that if marijuana was legalized it could be used by the government as a “source of tax revenue”. This statement is extremely presumptuous.
The latest studies show that the U.S. collects about $8 billion yearly in taxes from alcohol. The problem is, the total cost to the U.S. in 2008 due to alcohol-related problems was $185 billion, and the government pays about 38% of that cost (about $72 billion), all due to consequences of alcohol consumption, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism. For every dollar the government collects in alcohol taxes, it expends about $9 (for such things as Medicare and Medicaid treatment for alcohol-related health troubles, long-term rehabilitation treatment, and unemployment costs, and Welfare).
Some proponents of legalizing marijuana argue that alcohol is far more addictive and destructive than marijuana. But opponents said that legalizing marijuana would lead to more users and may not make a significant impact in the overall debt.
Meanwhile voters in some regions of the U.S. have shown strong support for legalization of medical marijuana.
Clearly, legalization of medical marijuana use is a more persuasive battle cry than that of recreational highs.
The FDA has already approved synthetic THC in pill and suppository form to stimulate appetite (the marijuana “munchies”) and to ease the nausea of chemotherapy in seriously ill or terminal patients. Anti-inflammatory and pain-perception benefits may be important as well.
Governmentust to study thoroughly all sides to understand if legalization of marijuana is makes sense for society.
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