Weed, bud, ganja, chronic, dro, herbs, grass, trees, pot, reefer; These are all the names of the drug that causes so much controversy, marijuana. Loved by so many and hated by the law. This is a two-sided argument on which everyone has their own opinion. Is there a specific reason why weed should be illegal, or is the government just making money by catching people with it? Does marijuana have a true medical purpose, or is it just a gateway drug for children? These are the questions everyone should know the answers to. Which side are you on? First, when trying to decide how you feel about marijuana legalization, you need to stop to listen and truly understand where each side of the argument is coming from. Part or even half of the United States says that "marijuana is a drug as or less as dangerous as alcohol and tobacco products." Telling people that they can or can't smoke or do whatever they want with their bodies is an attack on people's right to freedom. If marijuana were legal, it would be sold at a cheaper price, so marijuana users wouldn't have to steal as much and this would reduce the rate of theft. It has all kinds of medical purposes and treats cancer patients and others who need treatment but cannot take other medications. Fewer people would be injured or murdered in the streets because of marijuana-related conflicts. The government could impose taxes on this sector, make more money and perhaps get us out of the horrible economic recession. Cops could stop wasting their time on small issues like marijuana and start focusing on more serious crimes. Courts and prisons could also grant more time for more serious offenses. Other drug traffickers would lose a lot of ...... middle of paper ...... history.htmlScience blog. Study Says Marijuana Is Not a Gateway Drug (December 4, 2006). Retrieved August 11 from http://scienceblog.com/12116/study-says-marijuana-no-gateway-drug/Kimberly Back. Educational book. Why Marijuana Should Be Illegal (6-11-2009), retrieved August 11 from http://www.edubook.com/why-marijuana-should-be-illegal/7039/James Vaughn. Why Marijuana Should Not Be Legalized (November 3, 2005), retrieved August 11 from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/13115/why_marijuana_should_not_be_legalized.htmlHigh Times. AlterNet. Top Ten Reasons Marijuana Should Be Legal (September 1, 2007) retrieved August 11 from http://www.alternet.org/drugs/60959/Drug War Facts. Retrieved August 11 from http://drugwarfacts.org/cms/?q=node/53Drug War Clock. Retrieved August 11 from http://www.drugsense.org/wodclock.htm