Marijuana Legalization Why is it the best choice for America? Marijuana, the most abused drug in America, has gotten a lot of publicity recently. Marijuana has caused multiple economic problems in the United States. A controversial issue has arisen from the growing popularity and problems of this drug. The question is whether or not the United States government should legalize the possession and sale of marijuana in the country. Many Americans believe that drugs should be legalized for various reasons; others, however, are against the legalization of the dangerous drug. While legalization has both pros and cons, the positive aspects 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 behind this problem are the extensive use of the drug and the federal government's determination to put an end to the illegal sale and use of the drug. Government efforts to stop the use of marijuana within the country have been ineffective and have actually exacerbated the problem. His efforts have done nothing but aggravate a huge national debt. Jeffrey Miron, an economics professor at Harvard University, estimates that the total costs of enforcing marijuana prohibition by local, state, and federal governments totaled $7.7 billion in 2003. The U.S. government he simply cannot afford these extra expenses. while struggling economically. The fact that the government is spending so much money trying to stop the use of marijuana has actually contributed to another problem. Overcrowding in American prisons is also on the rise; Marijuana laws are a driving force behind overcrowding. Eric Schlosser, ...... middle of paper ...... Benson, Adam. "Brandeis U.: EDITORIAL: Recent ballot measures point to need to legalize marijuana." America's Intelligence Wire November 12, 2002. General OneFile. Network. October 12, 2010. Ford, Adam and Andrew Walter. “Point: Marijuana should be legalized.” Viewpoints: Marijuana Legalization (2009): 3. Viewpoints Reference Center. EBSCO. Network. October 8, 2010. Fowler, H. Ramsey, and Jane E. Aaron. The little brown manual. 11th ed. New York: Longman, 2010. PrintMiron, Jeffrey A, “The Budget Implications of Marijuana Prohibition.” The Marijuana Policy Project. June 2005. PDF file.Schlosser, Eric. "Reefer's Madness. (Cover Article)." Atlantic Monthly (10727825) 274.2 (1994): 45-63. Premier of academic research. EBSCO. Network. October 7, 2010. Thorton, Mike. Cato Institute Policy Analysis No. 157: Alcohol prohibition was a failure.” Political Analysis July 17, 1991. PDF file.