There has been a debate about the legalization of marijuana since it was made illegal in the 1920s. There are naysayers on both sides of the issue. There are many benefits to legalizing marijuana, but there are also harmful effects on society caused by marijuana consumption. These issues need to be debated to determine whether legalizing marijuana would benefit the United States. According to a 2003 Zogby poll, “the government should treat marijuana in much the same way it treats alcohol: it should regulate it, control it, tax it, and make it illegal only for children.” (Nadelmann, Ethan)Cannabis has existed since ancient times. The first use of marijuana dates back to 7000 BC Marijuana was used as a medicinal herb by the ancient Chinese, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. In the United States, cannabis consumption was legal until the 1920s. In 1913, California became the first state to outlaw cannabis. Other states quickly followed suit with laws prohibiting marijuana, and eventually the federal government outlawed it as well. “In many Western states it was simply prejudice against Mexican-American and Mexican migrants, with whom marijuana was commonly associated” (Nadelmann, Ethan). Due to medical studies, many people believe that marijuana is beneficial for some medical conditions which has led to the legalization of marijuana, but only for medical use. Since California was the first state to outlaw marijuana, in 1996 California became the first state to allow it for medical use after voters approved a statewide ballot question. Today, there are sixteen states in the United States that have legalized medical marijuana. Marijuana is a prevalent recreational and medicinal drug. It is the third most common drug used at the center of the document on About.Com - Your portal to the world of economics. Network. March 10, 2012..Nadelmann, Ethan. “End Marijuana Prohibition: Legalization Push Restarts…” NationalReview 56.13 (2004).Web. March 10, 2012.Nadelmann, Ethan. CBS NEWS “Making Marijuana Legal.” Page No. Network. March 15, 2012. Frank, Newport. “Record High 50% of Americans Support Legalizing Marijuana Use.” (2011): n. page. Network. March 29, 2012. www.gallup.com/poll/150149/Record-High-Americans-Favor-Legalizing-Marijuana.aspx>Guarino, Mark. “High school students smoke more marijuana than cigarettes, survey finds.” (2011): n. page. Network. March 30. 2012. .