Is marijuana really that bad? Since the 1930s, marijuana has been illegal in the United States because it went hand in hand with the prohibition of alcohol. Somehow, Americans make a lot of money from it every year. People who smoke marijuana are in favor of legalization, as are those who don't smoke but want to help the economy. Many of us who don't smoke want to legalize it because we see that if it's illegal, it doesn't support what marijuana can do for the economy and for medical reasons. Marijuana should be legal because it would have a much more positive effect on society, rather than keeping it illegal. Legalizing marijuana would help jumpstart the economy. The war on marijuana is doing nothing and is only expanding our debt. If we were to legalize it and tax it, the government would make a lot of money and we could reduce the debt we have now. Furthermore, by releasing people incarcerated for marijuana-related crimes, the prison system would not have to spend as much money. “In a country that has only 5% of the world's population, the United States holds 25% of the world's prisoners” (Archibold). Many of these criminals are in prison for marijuana-related crimes. With the release of these criminals, that money could be spent on cases involving much more serious criminals such as murderers and rapists. This would make the United States a much safer place because everyone would have a stronger sense of security knowing that many of these criminals are off the streets. This wonderful action could be implemented if the simple act of legalizing marijuana was passed. Furthermore, the war on drugs doesn't work and it's all about spending money. He put more people in prison who shouldn't have been there and lost many American lives. “The…half of society…paper because of all the situations it will solve. Works Cited Archibold, Randal C. “American Coalition Suggests Marijuana Laws Be Loosened.” New York Times. May 18, 2013 : A.7. SIRS Issues Researcher.Web. Chaminade College Preparatory Library. 06 November 2013.< http://sks.sirs.com>"10 Reasons Why Marijuana Should Be Legal." . Web. 06 November 2013.Mozingo, Joe, Ari Bloomekatz and David G. Savage. “Feds Soften Stance on Large Growers.” Los Angeles Times. 30 August 2013: A.1 . Chaminade College Preparatory Library. 06 November 2013. “Poll: Marijuana Legalization Gains Majority Support Nationwide.” McClatchy Washington DC News Bureau Chaminade College Preparatory Nov. 7 2013.