Graham Walker

01/05/2015
Global Issues, Period 4

Section 1 - Explaining the problem

The legalization of certain drugs like marijuana in the USA is a big issue in many places
around the country. The legalization of some drugs like marijuana could have many positive
implications in local communities as well as nationwide. Drug legalization could reduce
government costs and raise tax revenues nationwide, however opposition to such legalization
worry about the social implications that drug legalization could have. This is a problem that
should be handled by the government because the current state of prohibition is costing a lot of
resources that could be better used somewhere else. Also the time and energy it takes to
enforce anti-drug laws takes officers and officials away from other matters that are more
important to the nations security like terrorism. I believe it is the duty of the government and
major companies to responsibly and safely begin the process of legalizing drugs like marijuana
so that America could thrive on a new industry.
There is a lot of current public policy dealing with drug legalization, and that policy varies
from state to state. For example in colorado they have legalized marijuana for the use of
persons over the age of 21 and to be used only in private dwellings not public spaces. There are
numerous other states that have made it available for medical use as well as have
decriminalized carrying it in certain amounts. I think the current policy for dealing with
legalization is inadequate and the federal government should take it upon itself to make it a
nation issue pushing for legalization. I believe government should proceed via the route of
legalization so that the nation could benefit as a whole from an already established market for
substances.

There are many disagreements with the way the current problem is being addressed
today from both parties for and against drug legalization. People who feel like it should not be
legalized are upset that at the momentum legalization of drugs like cannabis are gathering in
certain states. But on the other hand people who feel like drugs should be legal feel like the
government isnt doing enough to press the issue. There are many sides to the argument but
most people agree that not enough action is being taken either way.
There are many major players taking a major interest in the legalization of certain drugs.
Perhaps the biggest player in this issue is the government itself. In my opinion For too long
policy makers have used prohibition as a smoke screen to avoid addressing the social and
economic factors that lead people to use drugs. Most illegal and legal drug use is recreational.
Poverty and despair are at the root of most problematic drug use and it is only by addressing
these underlying causes that we can hope to significantly decrease the number of problematic
users. There are many activists for the legalization of drugs buth in big corporations, ordinary
civilians, and government officials.
There are many branches of government and government agencies that deal with the
legalization of drugs. The Judiciary branch is charged with the responsibility to prosecute drug
violations and by legalizing the use of drugs that would free up more time to focus on more
pressing social issues. Many government organizations like the FBI and the DA monitor and
enforce anti drug laws which takes up a lot of tax dollars and manpower to do. In conclusion I
believe that drug legalization would have more positive implications than negative ones in the
long term for both the economy and the American people.

Sources:
http://www.urban75.com/Drugs/drugten.html
http://www.ibtimes.com/pros-cons-drug-legalization-us-246712
http://www.academia.edu/8735356/Drug_Legalization_and_Prohibition_pros_and_cons

Section Two - Alternative Policies To Deal With The problem

There are many existing public policies being proposed by the government and
other private organizations concerning the legalization of certain drugs. On the whole the federal
government does not condone the use of any drugs or the sale of drugs whatsoever. Having
said that there are multiple states that have started relaxing their restrictions on certain drugs
like marijuana. In california marijuana is legally used as a medication to treat certain illnesses
like anxiety and to help cancer patients with the pain of chemotherapy. In Colorado it is legal for
everyone to use over 21 just as long as it does not cause a public disturbance, so similar to the
alcohol laws nation wide. However having said all that the USA is very far away from legalizing
ALL drugs at the same level.
There are many advantages to letting the states decide whether to legalize drugs. by
making it a regional decision more than a national one to legalize drugs like marijuana gives the
ability to local governments to decide what is more beneficial to the economy and the people of
the area and assess what effects legalization could have on the current population. The
downside of not making the decision to legalize certain drugs like marijuana on a national scale
and legalizing them all together is that people would be forced to live with legalization laws that
are applied nationally but wouldnt work properly in certain communities.

Sources:
http://www.firstcapitalbusinessfinance.com/cannibusiness-express/
http://statelaws.findlaw.com/criminal-laws/drug-possession.html

Section Three - Proposing a Public Policy To Deal With The Problem

The Public Policy that I propose that the USA takes to address the issue of legalizing
certain drugs is to make them legal step by step. Drugs like Marijuana should become legal in
all states first for medical purposes only, as sort of a trial period, and then after a set amount of
time drugs like marijuana should be 100% legal for the use of American citizens. of course there
will be restrictions on who can use it, persons over the age of 18 for example. There should also
be restrictions on when you can be under the influence of legalized drugs, for example driving
while under the influence of Marijuana would be prohibited and will be punished similarly to the
way drunk driving is currently penalized.
There are many advantages to legalizing certain drugs. Probably the biggest of which is
the economic implications of legalizing specific drugs. By legalizing drugs like marijuana not
only would the states receive the receive the extra revenue of taxing these drugs, which would
provide more money for infrastructure and healthcare. But also the legalization of such drugs
would create a new industry, which means more jobs and more money that could be made
legally. Also by legalizing certain drugs it would have a great effect on the war on drugs in
many ways. For example by legalizing some drugs it would decrease the amount of illegal drug
smuggling , dealing and production, by making these practices obsolete. Legalizing drugs would
allow the FDA to set quality standards on products as well as decrease the profit of cartels and
gangs that currently thrive on selling drugs. Lastly legalizing certain drugs like marijuana would
not only decrease the strain on the prison system in the USA but allow law enforcement to focus
on more important things like terrorism prevention, and stopping illegal trades like human
trafficking.
However even though there are many advantages to legalizing certain drugs there are
also some drawbacks that have to be addressed as well. The first and perhaps most obvious
one are the health risks involved in consuming certain drugs like marijuana. Some drugs have
very serious side effects that could cause a person's health to deteriorate. Now if such a

substance is legal it would increase the amount that health insurance costs by driving up
premiums. Another downside to legalizing such drugs is that legalization could have negative
social effects, it cause problems with people getting addicted and abusing the substance like the
way people abuse alcohol. But all in all there are many more advantages than disadvantages to
legalizing certain drugs.
I believe the government branch that would be best suited for carrying out the public
policy of legalizing these drugs would be the legislative branch. This is because the senate and
the house of representatives are responsible for drafting and passing new bills. If the legislative
branch of the American government is able to pass a law or bill saying that it is legal to use
certain drugs then it would be easy for it to become a nationwide standard. The Food and Drug
Administration another government agency would also play a role in making sure the products
of certain drugs being sold are up to industry standards and are being regulated.
I believe that this new public policy of legalizing certain drugs requires some assistance
from outside organizations and corporations for backing and money to start up the industry.
Without the ability to market certain drugs at a corporate level the USA would not be able to
reach the projected economic benefits. Also outside organizations would help reach a broader
spectrum of clientele and keep prices low so no company has a monopoly on selling certain
drugs like marijuana.

Sources:
http://www.gacareproject.com/marijuana-legalization-bill-filed-in-georgia/
http://www.leap.cc/about/why-legalize-drugs/

Section Four - Implementation of The Action Plan

There are several key steps that of the policy that will assure that the legalization of
certain drugs like marijuana becomes national law. The first step is draft a bill outlining how
legalization would work, with the taxation on it, where drugs can be used, by whom they can be
used, when drugs can be used etc. This bill that would change the law and make certain drugs
legal. the next step requires several key players from both parties to try to push it through
congress with backing from outside organizations and corporations.
The next step would be for the judiciary to ratify it and say that the legalization of drugs
is not prohibited under the constitution, and that passing this new bill to legalize certain drugs is
constitutional under the highest law of our land. The next step is to slowly introduce the new
laws to the public, by setting up dispensaries for the certain drugs in certain locations so that
researchers may study the overall effect of the legalization of drugs in certain areas. Finally if
the test areas have shown more gains than losses, the certain drugs would be made legal
nation wide.
There would be many supporters and opponents to such a law making certain drugs
legal nation wide. The supporters include businesses that want to invest in a new market with
an already established consumer base, many organizations that treat peoples health issues
with certain drugs. Certain politicians would support it because it provides not only another
source of tax for the a states budget, but more jobs for the people lowering unemployment.
However there would also be many opponents of such a law such as certain religious
groups that view drug use as a sin, or conservative parties that feel like this is government
overstepping their jurisdiction. But I feel the people who would most oppose the legalization of
certain drugs are drug dealers, drug lords, cartels, and illegal growers. This is because it would
take away their illegitimate business and their illegal source of income. I would get both
government officials and outside organizations alike to support this bill by an immense amount
of campaigning and research. This is because if cold hard facts back up the legalization of

certain drugs, and opponents and sceptics are shown first hand then they have no logical
reason to oppose legalization any longer.

Sources:
http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana-legalization-and-regulation
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/drug-legalization/
http://www.cato.org/publications/policy-analysis/thinking-about-drug-legalization