With there being a stigma surrounding drugs, such changes are revolutionary to the perception of our country. Proponents of drug legalization argue that prohibition in general and the "War on Drugs" that began in the 1980s have created a black market for drugs. Not only that, but the illegal use of drugs has overloaded the criminal justice system, and decriminalizing drug use was deemed essential to removing criminal overcrowding in the court of law. Further, reducing the supply of drugs and eliminating victimized children was prevalent prior to drug legalization in our country. While many politicians are knowledgeable of the negative effects of drugs, and the obvious risk that they pose, they feel that the benefits outweigh the negatives.
Economically, drug legalization can be seen as beneficial for the general public due to the consequential excise tax reductions. This is an immediate effect because the government now does not need to tax such goods and services as much, due to them being more accessible. Excise taxes are usually on drugs and mass equipment, so by having to pay less, the public consumer would benefit. Legalizing drugs would eliminate these inconsistencies, guarantee freedoms, and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the government's anti-drug beliefs. With the elimination of government expenditures on enforcement, the average consumer does not need to spend as much money on the product. Additionally, with there being an open sense of acceptance and lack of censorship that is unnecessary, most people are most comfortable in American society and respect the freedom the government offers.
If drugs were legalized, taxes could be cut, with the elimination of government expenditures on enforcement. With the illicit drug trade, a global black market dedicated to the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, and sale of prohibited drugs, $120 billion was lost in productivity, mainly due to labor participation costs, participation in drug abuse treatment, incarceration, and premature death. With the illicit drug market producing an estimated $100 billion a year, reducing the economic profit of drug dealing is necessary, to increase the stability of the economy and decrease the “under the table” transactions that are non beneficial. Such losses also came in medical numbers, of $11 billion in healthcare costs. Such drug dealing also was associated with money laundering and corruption, leading to other unlawful practices and problems around the world. With the United States being a part of some of the drug black markets, such drug legalization changes needed to be instituted to improve our economy.
While such an act may have good intentions toward the overall well-being of the United States, many governmental officials overlooked the detrimental impact that it has on the general public and surroundings. Due to drugs being easy to attain, many people who may be addicted and have trouble refraining from using substances can fall into serious addiction cycles. Drug legalization may increase the number of drug addicts by 25%, a staggering number. Without help, many of these people can fall down a serious path and suffer from many medical conditions. By normalizing drug use, the younger generation may find it just to use drugs without thinking it through. With no restrictions on the production side, it may cause environmental issues such as deforestation, watershed depletion, and greenhouse gas emissions. Instead of being used for medical use and minimal recreational use, there may be a shortage of drugs in the medical industry with the increased personal consumption. As time passes, we will be able to gauge the overall effects of the legalization of marijuana.
