America is at war. A war on drugs with marijuana. Marijuana is a naturally grown hallucinogen like the cannabis plant. Smoking weed clearly has far fewer dangerous effects on society than legal drugs like alcohol, but it is illegal on a federal level. It is an established scientific fact that marijuana is not toxic to humans; marijuana overdoses are nearly impossible, and marijuana is not as addictive as alcohol or tobacco. But marijuana prohibition continues to thrive. Marijuana prohibition causes more problems than it solves. This nation spends too much money where it could earn more. If America were to legalize marijuana, it would foster a healthier economy, improve healthcare, and be safer than legal drugs like alcohol and cigarettes. The ban ruins thousands more lives than it supposedly tries to save and should be stopped. Today's economy is in trouble and in desperate need of relief. In 2013, the US debt was $17 trillion and if marijuana was legalized it would help raise more money. It could be taxed and distributed for consumption sold as alcohol and tobacco. In 2012, cigarette taxes totaled more than $43.3 billion (RJReynolds). Legalizing marijuana could one day cause that money to help reduce this nation's debt. But, as the United States continues to ban the use of marijuana, this will cause taxpayers to pay more money each year for the illegal use of the drug. Marijuana prohibition costs both state and federal governments more than $20 billion per year (CATO Institute). A drug policy could change the waste associated with prohibition, but the government has done so. Study conducted by the CATO Institute showed that... half of the article... uana's 'gateway effect' is exaggerated, new UNH research findings." University of New Hampshire, September 2, 2010. Web . 7 May 2014. "WHO report: Smoking and alcohol cause millions of deaths worldwide." The Partnership at Drugfreeorg Np, 27 April 2011. Web, 8 May 2014. Acute Effects of Marijuana (Delta 9 THC). Web. May 7, 2014. “DrugFacts: Marijuana.” Web. May 5, 2014. Wolff, Madeline revenue to the State." Laws and taxes. RJ Reynolds, nd Web 10 May 2014..