Intro-dub-tion to AQotWB

The issue of the legalization of marijuana in the United States is stagnant at this point in time. Healthcare reform, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the struggling economy have bull-rushed their way to the forefront of every American’s mind. Now, legalization is a topic left untouched, a seemingly futile political effort. But today, in an anemic economy trying to rebuild, legalization could be the answer to some of our problems.

Beginning in the early twentieth century, cannabis was slandered and frowned upon due to fear of its unknown effects on the timber business and the human mind. Even as marijuana became better understood, the government and those opposing cannabis produced propaganda against marijuana use. Regardless, consumption of marijuana increased year after year despite criminal charges for possession and sale of the drug. As the public’s views on marijuana changed, some states changed their laws on the criminalization of cannabis, including decriminalization the possession of marijuana and legalization of medicinal use.

Until now, there was not much incentive to legalize marijuana; the economy was already booming and marijuana was feared to be a gateway drug leading to “hard drug” use. As both this trend and the belief have been reversed, the value of legalization has never been higher. The introduction of the new highly profitable industries of marijuana consumption and hemp production would cause a creation of new jobs and consumer spending. It would also be beneficial to the health and well-being of the population because of its positive medical effects. This blog aims to follow the continuing debate on legalization of marijuana and to help persuade people to understand why such a policy would be economically and medicinally effective.