What comes to mind when you think of drugs? Maybe you think of the nightly news reporting murders on the streets or maybe you think of those unforgettable meth ads on television and billboards. But what seems to be very popular when it comes to drugs is the ongoing controversial debate on whether or not marijuana should be legalized. Many supporters believe that banning marijuana reduces crime, traffic and improves health. However, marijuana is one of the most misunderstood drugs on the market. Keeping it illegal just causes more problems. Fully legalizing marijuana, ensuring it is controlled with similar restrictions as alcohol and tobacco, would boost our economy, create more jobs, and help many people medically. Even with the inevitable negatives that come with legalization, it's definitely safe to say that the positives outweigh the negatives. The source of what we like to call “hemp” or “marijuana” is the cannabis plant. The term hemp is used more for industrial uses of the plant, such as fiber and seeds, and the term marijuana is used more for medicinal or therapeutic uses (Deitch). The cannabis plant grows like a weed, which is why it is often called weed, but it is actually a herb and can be grown in various different environments in many parts of the world (Fortenbery & Bennett). Hemp was an important and valuable commodity in the American colonies until World War II. Since marijuana was outlawed in 1937, we have suffered socially, environmentally, and economically. Many are unaware that using cannabis as fiber, fuel, and paper could solve many of the problems we face today. The marijuana ban reveals a lot of racism and hysteria… middle of paper…. .. October 12, 2013. Gerber, Rudolph J. Marijuana Legalization: Drug Policy Reform and the Politics of Prohibition. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2004. Print.Gross, D.W., J. Hamm, N.L. Ashworth, and D. Quigley. “Marijuana Use and Epilepsy.” Marijuana use and epilepsy. Np, June 8, 2004. Web. October 13, 2013. Miron, Jeffrey A. “The Budget Implications of Marijuana Prohibition.” Np, June 2005. Web. October 19, 2013. Perrone, Dina, Randi D. Helgesen, and Ryan G. Fischer. “Drug Prohibition in the United States and Legal Highs: How Drug Testing Can Lead Cannabis Users to Spice.” Np, 2013. Web.Seamon, Matthew J., Jennifer A. Fass, Maria Maniscalco-Feichtl, and Nada A. Abu-Shraie. “MedicalMarijuana and the Developing Role of the Pharmacist.” 64 (2007): 1037-044. Medical marijuana and the developing role of the pharmacist. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, May 15, 2007. Web. October 13. 2013.