Transcript Marijuana powerpoint_Leong

Derek Leong
 The debate has been around for a very
long time and it seems that it has only just
begun.
 The topic of debate is brought up a lot
through news or the internet.
 The topic is very controversial whether it
would help or hurt America if legalized.
 I feel that the people who oppose it have
never really looked into the debate and are
making false accusations.
 How would legalizing marijuana help the
American people in the future?
 The legalization of marijuana would help
America thrive in the future for very
positive reasons.
 Use of Google with keywords relating to
the debate.
 Such things as certain parts of the topic
like medicinal, crime rates and economy.
 Information searched was for both pro and
con to keep paper nonbiased.
 Sites used were credible like NY Times
and if not the site’s author and info
presented was further looked into.
 America should legalize Marijuana.
 Many positive effects to better help
America.
 Medically used in America in 17 different
states.
 Crime rate would drop due to legalization
 Economy would rise also due to the
legalization of marijuana.
 Many States have legalized marijuana for medical use
along with many other countries. ("17 Legal Medical
Marijuana States and DC - Medical Marijuana ProCon.org." 17 Sept. 2012.)
 Beneficial to the everyday person for pain relief, relief
of migraines, OCD’s, ADHD, ADD, and even prevention
of Alzheimer’s. The drug also has no proven or tested
medical drawbacks (“10 Major Health Benefits of
Marijuana.” COED. 2. Sept. 2010.)
 The drug is illegal indefinitely due to the Federal
Uniform Controlled Substances Act but is allowed to be
used medically.
 Simple to say taking out the illegality of marijuana
would already cut crime… by a lot.
 Prisoners in jail where 1/6 of the population
were incarcerated due to nonviolent drug
crimes related with marijuana (Wolff, Madeline.
“Legalizing Marijuana Can Reduce Crime,
Increase Revenue For State.” Daily Sundial.)
 Police resources and courts will be more freed up
to focus their attention on much more serious
crimes instead. Thus helping the crime rate drop
in other areas.
 Taxation of the drug would bring in money to the government.
 California collects 14 billion dollars a year on medical
marijuana alone. Legalizing the drug would only increase
that number and in all the states (Wolff, Madeline.
“Legalizing Marijuana Can Reduce Crime, Increase
Revenue For State.” Daily Sundial.)
 The reduction of prisoners in jail will also cut cost on
government spending.
 America spends around 68 Billion dollars on prisoners in
jail where 1/6 of the population were incarcerated due to
nonviolent drug crimes related with marijuana. That
means America could save 11.5 Billion dollars a year on
prison spending with YOUR tax money (Wolff, Madeline.
“Legalizing Marijuana Can Reduce Crime, Increase
Revenue For State.” Daily Sundial.)
 Most of the information against the legalization of
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marijuana is assumptions and stereotypes of the drug
without any evidence. But there are some valid points.
The drug has been labeled as the “gateway drug” or
the drug that leads to other drugs.
Second hand smoke of the drug would pass on the
drugs effect to others.
Driving under the influence of the drug can slow down
reaction times behind the wheel.
But the most brought up point is that you can overdose
on marijuana. (Not a single death in the world was
recorded due to a marijuana overdose.)
 There are cons but the pros greatly
outweigh them.
 The legalization wouldn’t bring America
out of its hole but definitely help.
 There are far more dangerous substances
that are legal like cigarettes, alcohol and
even over the counter dugs.