My Op-ed Peace!

Is legalizing Marijuana the Answer?

By Alexandro Contreras

            It is no secret that the ongoing drug war in Mexico has created a lot of violence and deaths in the border region of Mexico and the United States. Local news stations and documentaries talk about how drug cartels are at war trying to claim territory along the U.S. Mexico border to smuggle their drugs into the United States. These cartels stop at nothing to protect/claim territory and smuggle their drugs endangering civilians and law enforcement officers on both sides of the border. But there can be a solution to the violence and the abuse of the drug. Marijuana should be legalized in the United States and an open trade should be established to distribute the drug.

  

          According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Marijuana is a drug that is smoked as a cigarette (joint), blunt, cigar, or in a pipe. It is the most commonly abused illicit drug in the United States and other parts of the world (Hogan, Gonzalez, Howell, Bonn-Miller & Zvolensky 2010). This drug is abused because it is accessible to individual without restrictions. These underground drug dealers sell the drug to the buyer without it being inspected, weighed or even portioned to a safe level. Without the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulating the drug there is no control. But if we legalize the drug it can be regulated the same way tobacco and alcohol is regulated in the country. That means Marijuana can be inspected and treated to be less harmful and sold legally to buyers at a safer level to avoid abuse.

           

            Not only can the portions of Marijuana be limited and regulated, but it can also be taxed. If Marijuana were to be legalized and sold along with alcohol and tobacco, a tax can be placed for those who want to purchase the substances. That means people over the age of 18 would legal be able to purchase the substance and the government will receive a tax on it to help the economy.

           

            With the high demand of Marijuana in the U.S. a legal trade can be established between Mexico and the United States. Mexico could establish legal companies to harvest and grow the Marijuana. Then the substance can be sold legally to the United States. The U.S. would then treat and regulate and package the substance through the FDA to be sold. The companies would not only make money legally, but can also create jobs for thousands of Mexican citizens to rebuild the Mexican economy. Instead of having a drug war we will have a trading system.

            Overall the legalization of Marijuana can be the answer to many problems. It can help slow the violence of the cartels along the U.S. Mexico Border. With a legal trade system in place there will not be a need for smuggling territory.  It can create jobs and boost the economy in both countries. It can be regulated and distributed under the control of the government and can prevent abuse. All that needs to be done is have it legalized in the United States and we will be on the way to making a big change.

References

Hogan, J., Gonzalez, A., Howell, A., Bonn-Miller, M. O., & Zvolensky, M. J. (2010). Pain-Related Anxiety and Marijuana Use Motives: A Pilot Test Among Active Marijuana-Using Young Adults. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy,39(4), 283-292. doi: 10 .1080/ 16506073.2010.505247

National Institute on Drug Abuse (2010). Marijuana. Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov /publications/infofacts/marijuana