On Saturday May 3rd, millions across the globe will march for liberation. They will march for the freedom and positive benefits their cause brings to the United States. I’m talking, of course, about the worldwide marijuana march.
The legalization of marijuana is a difficult concept for most to even consider. It’s been illegal since the 1930’s to have it, and our media constantly tells us the negative effects via dark, depressing commercials. In fact, over forty four percent of all arrests in the United States were related to marijuana charges. Absolutely nothing good can come out of legalizing this plant, right?
Wrong. Professor Jeffery Miron of Harvard University outlined the positive effects of legalizing marijuana. Law enforcement would save $7.7 billion annually from the costs. If taxed as heavily as tobacco and alcohol, it would generate up to $6.2 billion annually. This money generated could help our national debt, help pay for the war, or fund social programs. It makes little sense why such a large benefit has been ignored for so many decades.
Why is marijuana illegal? In 1910, groups of Utah Mormons brought back the plant from the missionary trips to Mexico. With the plant widely being used amongst members, Utah legislators (closely tied with the Mormon Church) made the plant illegal in 1915. Southern states followed suit, making it illegal to smoke, grow, or sell. In the 1930’s, the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, led by Harry J. Anslinger was formed. Anslinger formed a radical view on the drug, linking it to minorities, jazz music, interracial couples and insanity. Anslinger was quoted as saying, “...the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races.”
It should be evident that the cause for marijuana being illegal was founded on racism and lies. However, an age old argument against the plant is health effects. In 2006, the American Thoracic Society conducted a study to determine if heavy marijuana usage increased the risk of lung cancer and respiratory illnesses. The conclusion was that even heavy amounts of marijuana smoke did not cause any more harm (or equal to) tobacco users.
I sincerely hope many of the Winonan’s readers will consider marching on that Saturday. The evidence is mounting, the support is rising, it’s time we put an end to the pipe dream of legalizing marijuana and make it happen. For more information, please email Chris Wright at: tc_wright38@yahoo.com.