**Legalizing marijuana would decrease overall deaths** While reliable numbers on the matter are lacking, it is known that marijuana bought from illegal sources is often laced with other, more harmful substances, such as fentanyl. If marijuana was legal, the FDA would be able to regulate it to ensure that the product does not contain any toxins. The government and other organizations would also be able to better educate people on harm prevention, as it does with alcohol. Legalizing marijuana could also decrease overall deaths by reducing the amount of people who use opioids for pain relief. States with legal medical marijuana have a 25% lower rate of prescription painkiller deaths (1). **Marijuana poses no significant health risks** Both physically and mentally, the risks of marijuana are very minimal. There is no strong correlation between marijuana and cancer or long term mental health issues. In some studies, marijuana has actually been associated with a *decreased* risk for head and neck cancer (2). This is in stark contrast to cigarettes and alcohol, which have detrimental effects on physical health and yet are legal. Marijuana consumption is not recommended for young people, as developing brains are more sensitive to the effects of weed, but alcohol is also illegal for those under 21. Weed would be the same. **It would contribute to the economy** For a more detailed look at the projections of how legalizing weed would boost the economy, see the link below (4). Generally, though, states that have legalized marijuana have seen an impressive increase in tax revenue. It would also create thousands of much needed jobs. **Lastly, legalizing marijuana would have positive effects on the criminal justice system** Roughly 40,000 of America’s inmates are behind bars for marijuana offenses (3). 89% of all marijuana arrests are for possession only. That means that a significant amount of resources and taxpayer money is going towards imprisoning non-violent prisoners for a harmless crime. Worse, after coming into contact with the criminal justice system once, there is a high rate of recidivism, largely due to prison trauma and the lack of opportunities that comes with having a record. In other words, locking people up for harmless crimes, such as marijuana possession, only increases the chance that they commit other crimes. 1. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/states-with-legal-marijuana-have-fewer-overdose-deaths-082614#1 2. https://drugpolicy.org/drug-facts/10-facts-about-marijuana 3. https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanoleck/2020/06/26/with-40000-americans-incarcerated-for-marijuana-offenses-the-cannabis-industry-needs-to-step-up-activists-said-this-week/?sh=35ea2276c16f 4.https://marijuana.procon.org

Somehow deleted sorry! Marijuana should not be legalised due to it existence as a gate-way drug, with potential use leading to the further use of significantly more dangerous substances. Research suggests that marijuana use commonly precedes the use of other illicit substances (Carliner et al. 2016) as the dangerous early exposure to cannabinoids (naturally occurring compounds found in cannabis) increases vulnerability to substance addiction and misuse. The use of marijuana is positively correlated with both alcohol and cigarette use, as well as illegal drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamines (DuPont 2016), with the CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) suggesting people addicted to marijuana are three times more likely to be addicted to heroin. In terms of the health effects of marijuana use, it has been found to have effects on brain function such as memory, learning, attention, decision making, coordination, emotions and reaction time (Batalla et al. 2013). Marijuana users are also significantly more prone to developing psychosis as well as long-lasting mental disorders such as schizophrenia (Volkow 2016). The legalisation of marijuana risks increased long-term and heavy use within individuals, thus risking potential negative health effects. Batalla, A., Bhattacharyya, S., Yucel M., et al (2013). Structural and functional imaging studies in chronic cannabis users: a systematic review of adolescent and adult findings. Carliner H, Mauro PM, Brown QL, et al. (2016) The widening gender gap in marijuana use prevalence in the U.S. during a period of economic change, 2002-2014. Drug Alcohol Depend. pp.51-58. CDC (2015) Today’s heroin epidemic infographics. Vitalsigns. Accessed: 16 January 2021. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/heroin/infographic.html DuPont, R. (2016) Marijuana has proven to be a gateway drug, The New York Times. Accessed: 16 January 2021. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2016/04/26/is-marijuana-a-gateway-drug/marijuana-has-proven-to-be-a-gateway-drug Volkow ND, Swanson JM, Evins AE, et al. (2016). Effects of cannabis use on human behaviour, including cognition, motivation, and psychosis: a review. JAMA Psychiatry. pp.292-297. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/marijuana-gateway-drug

Recreational Marijuana stocks are traded on every retail trading website and smartphone trading application, it is hypocritical that trading Big Weed's stocks is legal in all states but smoking weed gets you locked up in some states. All personal use of marijuana should be federally legal and sale should be legal but regulated by state authorities, QED.

Legalizing marijuana for both medicinal and recreational purposes offers several significant benefits. For: Medicinal Benefits: Marijuana has been proven to provide therapeutic benefits for a range of medical conditions, including chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and anxiety. Legal access allows patients to obtain relief without resorting to illegal means. Economic Benefits: Legalizing marijuana can generate substantial tax revenue and create jobs. States that have legalized it have seen significant economic boosts from the cannabis industry. Reduction in Crime: Legalization can reduce the burden on the criminal justice system by decreasing the number of arrests and incarcerations for marijuana-related offenses. This allows law enforcement to focus on more serious crimes. Regulation and Safety: Legalization allows for regulation and quality control, ensuring that marijuana products are safe and free from harmful substances. This can reduce the risks associated with unregulated, illegal cannabis. Against: Public Health Concerns: Opponents argue that increased availability of marijuana could lead to higher rates of addiction and use among minors. However, studies from regions with legalized marijuana show that these concerns can be mitigated with proper regulation and education. Impaired Driving: There are concerns about increased incidents of impaired driving. Nonetheless, effective laws and enforcement can address this issue, similar to regulations for alcohol.