The Legalization of Marijuana: A Reaction to the Social Issue Marijuana should be legalized because the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. The criminalization and prohibition of marijuana have not been successful. High school seniors report that it is easy to obtain (Johnston, Lloyd D., Patrick M. O'Malley, Richard A. Miech, Jerald G. Bachman, & John E. Schulenberg, 2015). Although research shows that criminal sanctions do not reduce marijuana use, millions of marijuana-related arrests have been made (Hoaken, Peter N.S., & Sherry H. Stewart, 2003). Once legalized, the government will be able to more easily control marijuana, while also eliminating dangerous additives and risky situations that play a role in consumer acquisition. Marijuana is safer than many legal drugs, and users have reported health benefits. Finally, considering the potential economic impact of legalization, ending marijuana prohibition would bring in tax revenue instead of costing the government money as it does today. There are many different alternatives to the current marijuana prohibition. A key issue in the argument presented is that legalization is promoted. This differs from other approaches such as decriminalization and permitting the use of marijuana for medical purposes. The author advocates the legalization and regulation of marijuana in contrast to current prohibition laws. The fact is that legalization is different from other alternatives to criminalization. Decriminalization would eliminate prison sentences or criminal records for possessing small amounts of marijuana. Legalizing it for medicinal use would require users to be prescribed marijuana by a doctor and to obtain the drug at a pharmacy or other qualified location... middle of paper... billions every year, but if it were taxed with comparable to those of alcohol and tobacco, has the potential to bring in approximately $6.2 billion (Miron, 2005). Laws regarding marijuana vary from state to state, as seen by the number of states that legalize it for recreational use, allow it for medicinal use, or outlaw it completely. This discrepancy shows that state governments cannot reach a single conclusion regarding marijuana laws, despite medical evidence of its benefits and long-term failure to reduce its use. Furthermore, from a federal perspective, legislation that contradicts that of a state is a clear violation of the separation of state and federal powers. The federal government must at least recognize that states have jurisdiction over marijuana legislation by not penalizing users who fall within the legal limits set by the state in which they are located.