Paper 4 Outline

I.               Intro

A.     Should the United State’s most popular illegal substance be legalized?  Some say yes and some say no.

1.     Marijuana is the most popular and has the highest rate of use in the United States.

2.     Many people believe it should remain outlawed completely, however, many people also believe there are more benefits behind the plant than there are negative attributes.

3.     The legalization of marijuana can bring about many positive changes in our society and should be legalized.

II.             Economic Benefits

A.     Marijuana can bring in a substantial amount of money into the economy.

1.     Legalizing marijuana will enable the government to place taxes on the sale of the plant, therefore flowing money into the economy.

2.     Hemp, a byproduct of marijuana, is already used in the production of many items such as rope, soaps, tanning lotions, and other products.  The increase in the growth and production of the plant will only aid in expanding the sale and distribution of hemp products.

3.     Legalization could potentially cultivate many jobs for those who are out of work.

III.           Social Benefits

A.     Marijuana legalization will have a tremendous social impact.

1.     Would make it easier for those without medical insurance to obtain medical marijuana.

2.     Would free a large percent of the prison population due to the elimination of marijuana laws, which would eliminate minor offenders.

3.     Eliminates some of the “cool” appeal of use.  This means that legalization will eliminate the attraction to using a substance that is illegal, making younger demographics thinking that it’s the “cool thing to do.”

IV.            Health Benefits

A.     Legalizing marijuana can have positive effects on people’s health.

1.     As mentioned before, it would make obtaining medical marijuana much easier for those with little to no health insurance.

2.     Has the potential to be less dangerous and much less addicting than other legal substances such as tobacco and alcohol.

3.     Serves a purpose in negating nausea and other symptoms from cancer treatments.

V.              Conclusion

A.     Marijuana should be legalized but regulated.

B.     Marijuana has many positive benefits: Economic, Social, and Health.