Pot, weed, dope, herb, joint, grass. Whatever one may call it, they all refers to the illegal substance: marijuana.

The number of people in favor for the legalization of the drug has increased dramatically over the years. The AP-NORC Center reported that as of March, approximately 61 percent of Americans were in favor of legalizing marijuana. The majority of Americans are ready to see the end of marijuana prohibition, and it’s time for the government to recognize that. Contrary to popular belief, cannabis is not physically addictive like tobacco is. There are no physical withdrawal symptoms— no shaking, vomiting, or other signs of sickness that are seen in addictive drugs, such as heroin. There has also some evidence that a chemical found in marijuana, cannabinoids, can be linked to possibly reversing cancer’s effects. Tobacco and alcohol are and have long been legal, despite the harm surpassing marijuana’s. Marijuana has proven to be much safer than drink and cigarettes, which are two of the leading causes of death in the U.S.; it is impossible to overdose on marijuana, and there has been no study linking lung damage from use.

Marijuana legalization is also an economic opportunity for the government, considering the state of the national debt. By legalizing the drug, the new tax would bring in roughly $8 billion in new taxes. The U.S. currently spends billions of dollars on the “War on Drugs” to lock up drug users. Taxpayers then have to contribute to this financial burden by covering the expenses that comes with jailing someone, all simply for the possession of marijuana.

There are rapists, burglars and murderers spending less jail time than those sentenced for possession of marijuana. Perhaps instead of wasting time tracing down harmless people who like to get high, authorities can now focus on dangerous, less trivial crimes. Marijuana users will not let the law get in the way of their desire for the drug. With the law restricting marijuana users, they have no choice but to turn to dealers and cartels. Despite the fact that the drug is illegal in the majority of the country, nearly half of Americans reported that they have tried marijuana. Simply put, going through the process of attempting to keep something outlawed when prohibition is inefficient is not in anyone’s best interest.

If marijuana was legal, drug cartels and dealers would be put out of business, ultimately ceasing the violent crimes and disputes that occur in this illegal business. As of now, only four states in the U.S. have legalized recreational use of marijuana. In November, California voters, along with these in four other states, will consider legalization. It’s time for voters in our state to improve our nation and allow the recreational use marijuana.

This November, five states, including California, will be voting on the legalization of recreational marijuana and four states will be voting on the legalization of medical marijuana.

Marijuana has developed a negative connotation in our society for a reason, so why are we so eager to decriminalize a substance that the government has made illegal for the benefit of the general welfare?

There is a stark difference between personal experience and scientific research.

In regards to medical marijuana, much of the field is flooded with positive anecdotes, but when you look at the concrete evidence, any medicinal benefits marijuana can provide is uncertain and lacks long term research. Medical marijuana does not meet the standards of modern medicine and legalizing it will encourage its use in lieu of prescription drugs.

While it’s true that cigarettes pose more of a health hazard, they don’t include the mind altering effects of marijuana that pose a danger to not only the users, but those around them too. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that the amount of drivers involved in fatal car accidents with THC, the psychoactive ingredient found in cannabis,

in their system doubled in Washington after the state legalized marijuana. It would be remiss to ignore these statistics and hope they do not repeat themselves in subsequent states.

Even in states where medical marijuana has already been legalized, recreational use should be restricted. If we are going to treat marijuana as a prescription painkiller, so to speak, it should be held to the same standards.

Opening up a substance like morphine for recreational use is unimaginable, and the same should apply to marijuana.

State governments should  refer to the following case which the U.S. presented Canada

in 2003 in an attempt to dissuade parliament from loosening their restrictions on marijuana: The legalization of marijuana is a betrayal to the anti-drug cause. U.S. officials also argued at the time that legalization would increase drug tourism, marijuana abuse, and negatively affect Canada’s relationship with not only the U.S., but with all nations.

If the government still holds the health of the people in high respect, it would not allow for the legalization of marijuana. Should marijuana be legalized, what will stop the masses for using this as their case to legalize other substances, once universally agreed to be harmful? It’s best to put the fire out now, before it grows into something larger.