Why should such a harmless plant be considered a dangerous drug when it could one day save your life? After all, the cannabis plant has been used for hundreds of years in America, before and after its legalization in 1937. Marijuana dates back to the early colonies in the 17th century, where hemp was used from the plant. Hemp is a byproduct of the cannabis plant and was a major cash crop at the time. Hemp was used in many forms. Hemp was used to make clothing, fuel, paper and building materials. Centuries later, America produced hemp as a cash crop, encouraged by the government due to the generation of tax revenue. As you can see, marijuana has had a positive imprint on American history. Today, the legalization of marijuana has shown society a lack of time and money. In fact, the legalization of this substance has been a burden on our government more than it has helped. Enforcing laws to stop the use and sale of marijuana costs between $12 billion and $15 billion a year. With the amount of money the government is spending to prevent marijuana from entering the country, poverty could be eliminated in America. A marijuana-related arrest occurs every 42 seconds, continually adding to the 210,000 people in jail due to a marijuana-related crime. The cost of feeding and housing these prisoners is $39 billion a year. Legalizing the substance would increase tax revenues, as was the case several centuries ago, and crime would decrease. Legalizing the plant would also open new doors in the medical field, but America loves to waste money. Many people think that so far legalization and the war on marijuana is a positive thing and that it has worked. With all these laws in place...... middle of paper...... a corporation but also a thriving business. The plant's category as a Schedule 1 drug was manufactured. The government allows certain groups of people with proven illnesses that only medical marijuana can cure. Costing billions of dollars a year, the government has yet to put an end to the underground industry, but has only made a small dent in this thriving market. Legalization has actually increased the volume of cannabis grown in the country more than ever before. Marijuana prohibition has increased the number of violent crimes since its legalization. The laws barred seriously ill patients from receiving effective treatment. Not only could billions of dollars be generated in tax revenue, but thousands of lives could be saved. Above all, ending marijuana laws will end violent crimes associated with marijuana and provide sick patients with a revolutionary but ancient cure..