In the post "The Money Plant"by BLindsey, the topic of marijuana is discussed. It is brought to the audience's attention that marijuana, or hemp, serves many purposes other than the most know illegal act of smoking it. The debate of legalizing marijuana has been around for years. Research has shown that the plant can be helpful for pain tolerance and "treatment"of many illnesses. Some states have authorized prescribed marijuana for these medicinal purposes already. So what should Texas do? As BLindsey has pointed out, hemp is a strong fiber that might prove to be more cost effective than growing cotton in Texas. This could help the state of the Texas deficit.
Personally I think the biggest issue for the government is going to be the reaction of the people. If they legalize marijuana even in order to save money to help pull us out of debt, the public will see the legalization as showing support for a controlled substance. As BLindsey pointed out, as long as there is a demand, there will be a supply. This remains true whether marijuana is legal or not. It has been this way for a long time. With that said, for the public who are against the legalization of marijuana should consider that it has always been available as a drug and the legalization won't really change that cycle. Sure, it will make things easier for the drug dealers but consider this: alcohol is a drug. Teenagers get ahold of alcohol even though it is illegal for them; they drink and get drunk. Same thing for marijuana. Some people choose to use it as a drug, they will continue to whether it is legal or not. There are some things, such as controlling marijuana, that are too big to be nailed down by law enforcement. So if the government thinks it can save money by legalizing marijuana, I'm all for it. They might even turn it around and sell it in small amounts, at inflated prices to the public. It's just like anything else. It's a choice for individuals and it always has been, legal or not.
For the record, I have never smoked, smells, looked at, or thought of smoking marijuana. I do not support the legalization because I think it would benefit me in anyway. I think BLindsey has a point, if Texas can save any money anywhere (other than education) the government should do it. As I have pointed out, the control of marijuana has been an issue for a long time. The dealing will always be around. It happens all the time. I haven't heard of any crimes being committed because a person was high. It's a personal choice, a stupid one in my opinion, but that's not the issue. I think the reason for this controversy is the people who only see the plant as a drug. They are naive to think that keeping it illegal will stop the use of marijuana.
