Alyssa AguilarMrs. MartinucciEnglish Honors Period 314 May 2014Legalization of MarijuanaIs marijuana really as bad as most people say? The marijuana industry is worth $141.80 billion, and as of 2013, there are approximately 180.6 marijuana smokers in the world (24 mind-blowing facts about marijuana production in America). Marijuana, more formally known as cannabis, is a very important crop in this world and should be legalized. Marijuana should be legalized because it is not dangerous, especially compared to other legalized drugs on the market today, such as alcohol and tobacco, it is beneficial, the prohibition of marijuana is a useless waste of time and money, and because the prohibition of marijuana it is unconstitutional. First of all, marijuana is not dangerous. The short- and long-term effects of marijuana are not harmful, especially when compared to the effects of legal drugs such as alcohol and tobacco. Short-term effects of marijuana include the feeling of being high. When a person is high, he or she has memory problems, sensory distortion, panic, anxiety, poor coordination of movements, reduced reaction times and drowsiness. Most of these effects are not felt every time a smoker smokes, and many people enjoy these sensations (Short and Long Term Effects of Marijuana). There are several long-term effects of marijuana. One long-term effect of marijuana is cancer because marijuana contains some of the same cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco smoke. Although marijuana contains some harmful chemicals that cause cancer, it is not as dangerous as tobacco smoking. Another long-term effect of smoking marijuana is respiratory problems. Cannabis can cause coughing and wheezing. The possibility of cancer and respiratory problems... half of the document ......emerged due to its conflict with the 10th Amendment, why is marijuana still illegal? The prohibition of marijuana goes against the Second, Tenth and Fourteenth Amendments, so it is clearly unconstitutional (Is the prohibition of marijuana unconstitutional?). All in all, marijuana should be legalized because marijuana is not dangerous, marijuana is beneficial, prohibition is a needless waste of time and money, and because marijuana prohibition is unconstitutional. “Marijuana prohibition causes more problems than it solves, and ruins thousands more lives than it supposedly saves” (About Marijuana). 2014 is expected to be a big year for marijuana legalization. More than 5 states are expected to legalize marijuana. Legalizing marijuana probably won't cause a large increase in marijuana smokers, but it will save many people a few years in prison and a permanently ruined reputation..