[420 Girl]

The recent photo of Michael Phelps was the last straw for me. It’s high time (pun intended) that the nation legalize one of America’s favorite products. Especially since we’re not generating much green — and I mean money. There lies a solution to this in a different type of green, and yes, that is none other than good old weed.

Not only is this attitude held among marijuana smokers, but among over 500 economists. Don’t believe me? On ProhibitionCosts.org, you’ll find these economists endorsing “An Open Letter to the President, Congress, Governors, and State Legislations.” This letter calls attention to a very interesting paper by Harvard Law Professor and economist, Jeffrey Miron.

According to Miron, “Marijuana legalization would save $7.7 billion per year in state and federal expenditures on prohibition enforcement and produce tax revenues of at least $2.4 billion annually if marijuana were taxed like most consumer goods.”

What’s even better is that if marijuana were taxed the same amount as alcohol and tobacco, we would get $6.2 billion annually in tax revenues.

I could see it already. Our economy would be cleansed from a debt-reeking, unemployed abyss into a more euphoric face of society.

Speaking of employment, in California where I’m from, people are losing jobs due to Schwarzenegger’s recent budget cuts. Yet pot, a cash crop in this state, made legal would produce $12 to $18 billion in marijuana retail and spin-off industries. Such spin-off industries, according to Calnorml.org, would be coffeehouses, tourism, and industrial hemp.

And of course, the nation at large would pay less taxes for prison and law enforcement costs. As far as decreased jobs, drug law enforcement wouldn’t necessarily start laying off. There are other drugs out there that wreak more havoc than Mary Jane, so the Drug Enforcement Administration could focus more on those. And they could do so happily with bongs in their mouths.

What’s even better news is that law enforcement could then devote more effort against crimes that are actually violent. Honestly, how many drug-related offenses are offenses other than possession?

Now, let’s look at the so-called health risks posed by the green goodies. If you check out AssociatedContent.com, you’ll find that the National Toxicology Program concludes that marijuana doesn’t increase the risk for cancer. Instead, you’ll read, “Study after study has shown that Marijuana actually decreases a person’s risk of getting cancer.” In fact, according to Cedro-Uva.org, 35 states (or parts thereof) have authorized the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

The health benefits of marijuana are endless. Puff the magic dragon, and you’ll experience clearer thinking, relaxation, and reduced tension and anger. Doubtful? Just check out BenefitsOfMarijuana.com. I guarantee you’ll get high with enlightenment.

So frankly, I don’t know what’s more ridiculous than criminalizing a healthy substance, while cigarettes, which indeed make us cancerous creatures, remain legal. True, marijuana can destroy brain cells. But, according to Princeton.edu, these cells regenerate themselves anyway. Alcohol, on the other hand — another unfathomably legal substance — can permanently damage your liver. Not to mention kill two million Americans each year, according to America.gov.

As you can see, folks, weed is not the wicked one. Instead, it is wonderful. It’s time we realize that Mary Jane will do good for our economy and society as a whole. Come join the fight to legalize pot. If not for your own pleasure, then for the good of the economy.

Put that in your pipes and smoke it, readers.

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