4 Dank Benefits Of Legalizing Recreational Marijuana | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

4 Dank Benefits Of Legalizing Recreational Marijuana

It's not just that we can get high legally.

784
4 Dank Benefits Of Legalizing Recreational Marijuana
Ryan McGilchrist

Weed has been a controversial topic since the early 1900s when it became illegal (to keep Mexicans from immigrating to the U.S.) and has come back to the forefront of political debates. It has been legalized in 29 states in one way or another. In Florida, medical marijuana was legalized in the 2016 election, but it has been a slow journey creating regulations and red tape for potential dispensaries to cut through. However, despite what Jeff Sessions would tell you, there are many benefits to legalizing marijuana.

1. Marijuana has medicinal qualities.

 

Recent research has shown that marijuana can be used to cure a variety of ailments. In the 1800s, it was used to help with stomach aches; now it can help with anxiety, depression, arthritis, and has been shown to stop seizures. It is also non-addictive, unlike most prescription pain medicine. So, by making medical marijuana less accessible, we are actually hurting people who may benefit from its medicinal purposes.

2. The tax revenue from recreational marijuana will go back into the community.

Just in the first few months of 2018, Colorado has made $42,816,302 in tax revenue from marijuana alone. By legalizing recreational marijuana and taxing it, states can put that money into schools in lower income areas, rather than depending on property taxes. By having good schools, we can increase high school graduation rates and college attendance rates which will, in turn, decrease crime in those areas.

 

3. The marijuana industry will create jobs.

In order to run a marijuana dispensary, you need cashiers, stockers, managers, and anyone else it takes to run a store. In addition, there also needs to be marijuana farmers and everyone it takes to run a farm. Also, people to transport to the marijuana from the farm to the store. Basically, by legalizing marijuana, we could create more than 300,000 jobs by 2020.

 

4. There will be less crime.

Okay, the lack of crimes would all be marijuana-related, but this is still a good thing. Roughly 750,000 arrests made are marijuana-related and about 400,000 inmates in federal and state prisons are in for marijuana-related crimes. And a disproportionate amount of these people are African American. Just imagine how many of your tax dollars are going to holding non-violent pot dealers in prisons.


 

Now, remembering that the criminalization of marijuana has a lot to do with racism, it seems ridiculous that the government is refusing these benefits just to keep fighting the losing war on drugs. Unfortunately, it looks like we have a long way to go before marijuana is legalized nationwide but right now, it is important to contact your representatives and start lobbying for the benefits of legalized marijuana.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

150824
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

39398
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

34992
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments