From the ethical and standpoint marijuana should not be as big of a concern as it is. In the United States, The states of Washingto and Colorado have made marijuana for recreational use and/or medical use legal. A reporter from the Canadian press reports that "people are kind of getting over the social stigma of it, and they're jumping into it" (Drews 6), however, the issues between the federal government and state government are still apparent. "The ballot initiatives behind the business boom were approved in Washington State and Colorado Nov. 6, 2012, and allow adults over the age of 21 to posses up to 28 grams of marijuana" (Drews8), the citizens have voted for the legalization of marijuana in those two states, so it needs to be respected by the people in government. There is a plethora of other things for the government to worry about such as war, diseases, and violence, marijuana does not belong in the same category as these. Marijuana will have a big impact on the economy as well, for in Washington Garden stores such as Pacific Northwest Garden Supply and Green Planet Wholesale Ltd., claim that the stores have quadrupled sales since the legalization of marijuana. It creates businesses which inturn will generate numerous job opportunities.
The citizens have a demand for marijuana as clear as day and in our so called "government of the people, by the people, for the people"(Lincoln 3), the people are the true decision makers in the United States and there votes need to be respected by the government. The governments big nose keeps nudging its way into the liberties and freedoms of American citizens from the Patriot Act to the NDAA and it just keeps on trumping through into issues that it does not need to be involved in, such as gay marriage and marijuana use. Lincoln also felt very strongly that "A house divided against itself cannot stand" (Lincoln 6), the government must not forget that citizens have a voice in the United States and that voice, once heard, needs to be respected.
It is completely unethical for the federal government to pretend itself more important and more inclined to know what is best for the individual citizen than the citizens themselves. Citizens do their duties, pay taxes, and follow the laws, so it is imperative that they are acknowledged and respected for their hard work and dedication to their roles as United States citizens. Citizens are the soldiers in war, the police, the fire fighters, the doctors, the teachers, and the students. Marijuana is an issue blown out of proportion that does not need to be as demonized as it is. Citizens demand marijuana and have voted for its legalization, so give it to them.
Drews., Kevin "Business booms thanks to marijuana legalization in two U.S. states." Globe & Mail [Toronto, Canada] 2 Apr. 2013: A8. Global Issues In Context. Web. 4 Apr. 2013.
Lincoln, Abraham. "The Gettysburg Address." http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org. Ed. Roy P. Basler.
Abraham Lincoln Association., 19 Nov. 1863. Web. 6 Apr. 2013.
http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/gettysburg.htm
Lincoln, Abraham. "House Divided Speech." http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org. Ed. Roy P. Basler. Abraham Lincoln Association., 16 June 1858. Web. 6 Apr. 2013. http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/house.htm
Lincoln, Abraham. "House Divided Speech." http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org. Ed. Roy P. Basler. Abraham Lincoln Association., 16 June 1858. Web. 6 Apr. 2013. http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/house.htm
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