In 1619, the first marijuana law stated that, farmers were required to grow the cannabis plant (The Union). Cannabis, or hemp, is a plant with extremely durable fibers that can be used to make clothes, rope, jewelry, paper and many other products. It also is an intoxicating drug that can be smoked or ingested. The war on drugs, specifically marijuana, was started by President Nixon in 1972. That was thirty-nine years ago and times have changed. Except for the fact that the use of cannabis is still illegal. Legalizing marijuana would provide money during hard economic times, and could contribute to the world of medicine. Not to mention, it is one of the most harmless drugs out there. Legalizing marijuana would do nothing but benefit society.
The impact on society of using marijuana is far less destructive than those of legal substances. The number one killer in the USA is tobacco, with over 430,000 deaths per year (The Union). That is more deaths than those caused by AIDS, heroin, crack, cocaine, alcohol, car accidents, fire and murder combined (The Union). The number two killer is alcohol with approximately 8,500 deaths per year (The Union). Marijuana has killed no one. There has been no proof that marijuana kills, causes cancer of any kind or causes brain damage (The Union). Also, it isn't addictive. According to procon.org, it is least addictive in comparison to heroin, alcohol, cocaine, nicotine, and caffeine (Procon.org). A person would have a harder time not having their morning cup of coffee as opposed to their morning joint. Also, someone who just had a "special brownie" probably isn't going to go home and do the same thing as someone who just had a few too many beers after work. The issue of marijuana and its effects, in comparison to the effects of other substances, is a double standard.
It is often argued that alcoholics will stick to alcohol, tobacco addicts will stick to alcohol, but marijuana is a gateway drug that can lead to the use of other, "harder" drugs.