Legalization of MarijuanaWhy is it the best choice for America? Marijuana, America's most abused drug, has received a lot of publicity recently. Marijuana has caused multiple economic problems in the United States. A controversial issue has arisen regarding the growing popularity and problems of this drug. The question is whether or not the US government should legalize the possession and sale of marijuana in the country. Many Americans believe this drug should be legalized for various reasons; others, however, oppose the legalization of this dangerous drug. Although there are both pros and cons to legalization, the benefits of legalizing marijuana for people over the age of twenty-one far outweigh the negative aspects of legalization. Marijuana is an emerging problem in the United States; The main reasons for this problem are the massive use of this drug and the determination of the federal government to put an end to its illegal sale and consumption. Government efforts to stop domestic marijuana use have been ineffective and have actually made the problem worse. His efforts only added to a huge national debt. Jeffrey Miron, an economics professor at Harvard University, estimates that total spending on marijuana enforcement by local, state and federal governments was $7.7 billion in 2003. The US government simply cannot afford this additional spending. while struggling economically. The fact that the government is spending so much money trying to end marijuana use has actually helped create another problem. Overcrowding in US prisons is also increasing; Marijuana laws are causing overpopulation. Eric Schlosser, ...... middle of paper ...... Benson, Adam. "Brandeis U.: EDITORIAL: Recent ballot measures indicate need to legalize marijuana." America's Intelligence Wire, November 12, 2002. General OneFile. Internet. October 12, 2010. Ford, Adam and Andrew Walter. “Point: Marijuana should be legalized.” Viewpoints: Legalization of Marijuana (2009): 3. Viewpoints Reference Center. EBSCO. Internet. October 8, 2010. Fowler, H. Ramsey and Jane E. Aaron. The little brown manual. 11th ed. New York: Longman, 2010. PrintMiron, Jeffrey A, “The Fiscal Implications of Marijuana Prohibition.” The Marijuana Policy Draft. June 2005. PDF file. Schlosser, Eric. "Reefer Madness. (Cover story)." Atlantic Monthly (10727825) 274.2 (1994): 45-63. Premier Academic Research. EBSCO. Internet. October 7, 2010. Thorton, Mike. Cato Institute Policy Analysis No. 157: Alcohol Prohibition Was a Failure. Political analysis, July 17, 1991. PDF file.