Legalize it?

by Marc DeRoberts

The legalization of marijuana has been a hot topic of debate for more than a decade. In 1996, California became the first of the now 14 states that allow marijuana to be used medicinally (full list here). Twenty-one have decriminalized it to some extent (Wikipedia article).

"I think it's fine," said Debbie Womack, a retired accountant, in response to her stance on the legalization of marijuana. "I personally feel that marijuana is less harmful and addictive than alcohol. It would be nice if the government could reap some taxation benefits from marijuana."

Although she said she never had smoked marijuana, Womack said that the legalization of all drugs would curb usage as well as crime. Womack said that a drug addict robbed her home last October in order to generate money to fuel his habit.

"I personally don't smoke," said Elon senior Max Harnett, " so it doesn't affect me all that much, but in terms of the financial aspects of it, I think it's a good idea. Anything that can help recover the debt that we have right now is worth a shot."

Three other members of the Elon community reacted similarly:



While many people across the country are opposed to the drug's legalization, Joe Klein published an article last year in Time magazine pointing out benefits beyond medicine in economically troubled times.

• A 10 percent tax on marijuana sales in California would yield an estimated $1.4 billion.
• An influx of new jobs pertaining to harvesting, packaging, marketing and advertising.
• Currently $68 billion is spent annually on corrections; one-third of inmates are serving time for non-violent crimes.
• $150 billion is spent on policing and courts. Nearly half of all drug arrests are marijuana-related.

Two hundred dollars is the cost of tuition at Oaksterdam University, which teaches people how to cultivate marijuana and its best uses to ease ailments. Ultimately students learn how to run a legal business and what the consequences are when breaking the law.



President Barack Obama has dismissed the notion of legalizing marijuana. Meanwhile, institutions like Oaksterdam University are springing up and states are amending laws to decriminalize or allow marijuana to be used medicinally.