Marijuana brings back american economy (spread this around)

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[FONT=&quot]In 1776 American colonies won their freedom from the British government and began developing into what we now know as the States. Little did our ancestors know that those States would one day develop into one of the most powerful nations the world has ever seen. The United States would survive through the Civil War between the north and the south, where the freedom of colored men would be won. Following these grand victories would be one of the countries hardest times known as the Great Depression, where more than fifty percent of American citizens would suffer from being unemployed. Once again though, America would rise to the top after winning WWI, WWII, and the Cold War (U.S. Department of State). America’s economic growth would sky rocket from the manufacturing of automobiles, advances in aviation technology, increase in service related jobs, and an opportunity to purchase property in the housing market. Everything seemed to be going great for America. Until, we were faced with our biggest challenge yet. The housing market collapsed, oil prices sky rocketed, health care benefits decreased, and the number of unemployed; once again, increased leading the United States into a recession that would cripple our country financially. During this time of economic crisis our government has been searching for a solution to all of these problems and there just so happens to be one thing that can make a substantial difference in each of these areas, marijuana. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Although marijuana can alleviate many of the difficulties our society faces, one thing stands in our way, a law that deems marijuana illegal. This law was created by our government during the marijuana prohibition, where the government used racial propaganda to scare the public into voting against a crop that was once so popular in our own country. Granted, there are several reasons why the legalization of marijuana has been denied by our government for decades. Some examples include: the increase in drivers under the influence, the misuse or abuse of the drug, increase in the amount of money spent on criminal justice, a “gateway” to other drugs, and the physical harm to the human body. The pros in this particular case outweigh the cons on a much higher scale that will benefit the body of our country as a whole. This could possibly help us climb back to the top of the ladder where we would once again be the most powerful country in the world. The real points that need to be addressed regarding the legalization of marijuana are whether the pros of legalizing the plant outweigh the cons and what the long term effects legalizing marijuana will have on our nation. Much like cigarettes and alcohol, getting rid of something once it has become popular can prove to be difficult and costly. Unlike alcohol and tobacco, marijuana has several uses, some of which include improving the quality of life for medical patients with life threatening diseases, reducing the emissions of green house gases caused by global warming, and being used as alternative form of renewable energy that reduces our governments dependency on oil imports and provides new jobs for Americans who are unemployed. Currently the American public and government are concentrating too much energy on the legalization of marijuana for medical uses rather than looking at the much bigger and more important issues of global warming and renewable energy. Although medical uses are a small issue clouding a much bigger picture, there is still some credibility to the argument of legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes. Unlike many other drugs, marijuana has very few side effects and the side effects it does have do not create physical illness. Prescription drugs like vicodin, morphine, and oxycotin can cause vomiting, sweating, and severe allergic reactions, resulting in the development of rashes, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, swelling of the chest, mouth, face, lips and tongue. Other side effects include stomach pain and seizures. Despite the fact that people can become chemically dependent on marijuana if abused or misused, marijuana is not fatal if the patient takes more than the recommended dose. If patients prescribed medications; like the ones mentioned previously, decide to consume more than their doctor’s recommended dose the patient faces the risk of physical damage or even death. Having personal experience with medical marijuana I can say that the drug helped reduce my symptoms of acute stress disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by improving my appetite, reducing the levels of stress that cause anxiety and panic attacks, and allowing me to get adequate amounts of sleep without experiencing nightmares or reliving horrifying experiences from the war in Iraq. Although at times the drug did give me dry mouth and made me feel somewhat lethargic, I was able to concentrate enough to complete my daily tasks with minimal amount of difficulty. Since I have stopped smoking, due to the drug being illegal in the state of Missouri, I find it very hard to concentrate on one thing at a time and feel overwhelmed by simple activities that a normal person would easily accomplish.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]As I stated above, medicinal uses for marijuana are only a very small percentage of why marijuana should be legalized in the United States. A much bigger and much more prevalent issue that has swarmed the headlines of national and worldwide media is global warming.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Due to deforesting and the burning of fossil fuels, global warming has increased substantially which is now affecting our global climate in a devastating way. By legalizing marijuana and increasing the production of hemp on an industrial level, our country will not only increase the amount of revenue by manufacturing and exporting goods, but more importantly, can begin reducing the amount of carbon dioxide within our atmosphere significantly through photosynthesis. Two bills that were recently brought to the attention of the California government known as Proposition 19, which would decriminalize the use of marijuana and Proposition 23 that called to suspend the global warming law, fell through. These bills should’ve worked hand in hand, but instead they have now put more pressure on California and it’s crumbling economy by requiring the State of California to reduce greenhouse emissions by 30 percent. This is said to cost the state 25 billion dollars. Rather than a more feasible solution of creating hemp fields to reduce carbon dioxide and taxing the sale of legal marijuana, California chose to just pay more money that the state doesn’t have. This is probably one of the worst decisions California could have made, especially since the state is on the verge of bankruptcy.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Right now our country has millions of acres of unused farm land that could be used to grow hemp fields, but the fact that it is illegal stops us from advancing in is this field of study. Other countries like Australia have already begun experimenting with hemp. According to Richard Friar; who is in charge of Sydney’s first hemp farm, “hemp is an extremely versatile plant with no less than 35,000 uses from food to building materials.” Mr. Friar says, “the plant can be used to make a flexible type of concrete, a fiberglass composite used to build cars, paper, fabric, and biofuel” (Hildebran, 2010). [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]In an essay written by Ralph Nader titled, “Hemp for Victory” he talks about the hemp plant which is over 5000 years old and was domesticated by the ancient Chinese. Nader goes on to explain that, “petitions signed by the agricultural groups, agricultural commissioners, International Paper Co. and others to allow the legal production of hemp were presented to Bush and Clinton and turned down cold by the DEA” In over 30 countries hemp is commercially grown and is used to produce hemp food, hemp fuel, hemp paper, hemp cloth, hemp cosmetics, hemp carpet, and even hemp door frames, by Ford and Mercedes. In 2004 $250 million worth of hemp products were purchased abroad rather than produced by our own country (Nader, 2005). This, in my opinion, and I’m sure many other Americans would agree, is unacceptable. Other countries are already surpassing the United States in hemp research and development and soon will become much stronger economically than our own country. What is to stop these countries from using their economic power to build a military force bigger than our own and invading our country? [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]For this reason we must act immediately, and begin experimenting with hemp production and move to a much more vital resource that can be derived from the hemp plant, bio fuel. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Hemp bio fuel is a better alternative than fossil fuels for three key reasons, which include the impact it has on the environment, the fact that it is a renewable resource, and the large number of jobs it will provide for the American public during these times of economic crisis.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The clock is ticking for not only America, but the world, to find an alternative form of energy besides fossil fuels, which are polluting our environment and increasing the rate at which our globe is heating. The climate change is a very real thing that poses a threat to every person on the planet no matter what race, sex, age, religious belief or stature. Right now bio fuels are being developed by using corn, which is a huge food source for America, as well as other countries. Similar to how Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said on David Letterman about conserving water, “we have enough to use, but not enough to waste.” The same principle should be applied to using corn as a bio fuel. The idea of wasting a precious food source to make fuel rather than using the marijuana plant that can be mass produced, help clean our environment and grow at a tremendous rate, is absurd. By using corn not only are we wasting our food supply, but we are also increasing the price of food for the Americans suffering from this recession, making it hard for many of us to buy enough food to eat comfortably (Experience, 200.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]On a fact sheet titled, “Pollution: Petrol vs Hemp” the document points out that the smog forming potential of speciated hydrocarbon emissions from hemp bio fuel was nearly 50 percent less than that measured for diesel fuel. Sulfur emissions are essentially eliminated with pure biodiesel, criteria pollutants are reduced with biodiesel use, and the exhaust emissions of carbon monoxide are reduced by 50 percent when using bio diesel. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]If hemp plants are grown on a large enough scale, the plants will consume the same amount of carbon dioxide emitted from cars run off hemp bio fuel, and will become carbon neutral. Eventually, the reduction in carbon monoxide produced by petrol vehicles will cease to exist, allowing us to finally give back to Mother Nature. There will be no more need for off shore drilling and accidental oils spills that kill millions of helpless animals off the coastlines of our country. There will be no need to seal a pipeline running along the bottom of the ocean releasing millions of gallons of toxic oil towards the shores where businesses and entrepreneurs make their living to provide for their family. But what there will be a need for, are researchers and scientists to find new ways to use hemp. There will be a need for contractors, building inspectors, fire marshals, factory workers, safety inspectors, construction workers, human resources, company liaisons, managers and CEO’s. There will be a need for farmers, advertisers, marketers, developers, accountants, financial advisors, computer technicians, internet security, security officers, police officer’s, volunteers, lawyers, medical workers, physicians, bakers, textile workers, and so on. Hemp will not only provide jobs but it will give Americans hope, something that Americans have very little of right now, if any at all. Hope that one day they won’t have to scrape together change to put food on their children’s plates. Hope that one day they won’t have to sit in the waiting room of a hospital and be denied treatment because they don’t have health insurance to cover a major surgery that would save their children from death. Hope that one day we can live life how we were born to live it, in the love and comfort of God, family, friends, and neighbors.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]There are several other positive things that hemp bio fuel can do for us including growing our own fuel, supporting our local economy, and exporting goods (PBS, 2007) to improve things such as health care, social security, and stimulus bills. What if General Motors (GM), a company that our government was willing to bail out with over 275 billion dollars, became the first developer and mass producer of hemp bio fuel vehicles? By bringing the American car company back on its feet; just like after the Cold War, and providing jobs for so many Americans that were laid off, we would be able to put money back into American pockets and not the pockets of countries like China and Japan. If America was the first to mass produce these vehicles we could begin creating massive amounts of jobs for blue collar workers in the United States where we could offer affordable health insurance, retirement pay, social security, and even educational benefits. America would also gain the interest of capital investors who would have the possibility of making gigantic profits. This would help the little people, the big people, and international investors who would be willing to buy American made products again. When is the last time you have seen the words Made in America?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] According to the Agricultural Statistics of 2009 America has over 919 million acres of farmland that can be used to farm a variety of crops including hemp (2009).This is enough farm land for America to become self sustaining as far as vehicle fuel is concerned. Imagine the possibilities hemp bio fuel will bring us, such as not having to rely on other countries to import oil and being able to sell extra fuel to other countries, increasing the number of exported goods, and helping America pay off their national deficit to other countries like China, for example. If that isn’t a huge benefit in itself, I don’t know what is.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Our country's economy is not in a financial position to exclude or extinguish any possible ideas or suggestions that may change the course of our financial future for the better. Our government should welcome and reward those who produce fruitful insight into the restoration of our nation’s economy. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]On the Statue of Liberty it’s written, “Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand a mighty woman with a torch, whose flame is the imprisoned lightening, and her name is Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command the air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp! Cries she with silent lips. Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breath free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” well Americans are tired, homeless, and some of us are DEFINITELY poor. Maybe it’s about time the White House starts rethinking their position on The Marijuana Tax of 1937. One law stands between the success of entrepreneurs, income of international trade, medicine for the sick, food for the hungry, jobs for the jobless, and the well being of ALL American citizens. The American dream is dying and we are the ones killing it. The American flag used to stand for something, for freedom, for justice, for human liberty, and for opportunity. What would our ancestors say if they could see us now? How will the future generations remember us? Will they remember us for caffeine drinks and obesity? How about the attack on September 11 where our government allowed two planes to crash into the twin towers? Will they remember us for fighting a war over oil? Will they remember us for oil spills? Will they remember us for arguing over capital punishment? Or will our generation be remembered for allowing one of the most powerful and respected nation’s in the world, built by our ancestors, to fall on it’s knees and surrender without a fight? Let us hope that those who bled for this country and paid the ultimate price did not do so in vane. [/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Armour, S. (2007, April 17). Employers grapple with medical marijuana use; Ethical, liability issues rise as more states make it legal. Retrieved December 13, 2010, from LexisNexis database.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Changarathil, V. (2010, May 5). Maiden US contract for Adelaide Hills business Hemp Hemp Hooray. Retrieved December 13, 2010, from http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/*business/*maiden-us-contract-for-adelaide-hills-business-hemp-hemp-hooray/*story-e6fredj3-1225862586926[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Chapter IX. (2009, January). 2009 Agricultural Statistics Annual (ix-2). Retrieved December 13, 2007, from http://www.nass.usda.gov/*Publications/*Ag_Statistics/*2009/*index.asp[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Experience, G. (2008, June 23). Global: Hemp - The Ideal Biofuel. Retrieved December 13, 2010, from http://www.hemp.org/*news/*node/*35[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Frosch, D., & Dao, J. (2010, July 24). Section A; Column 0; National desk. In V.A. Easing Rules for Patients Who Use Medical Marijuana (pg. 1). Retrieved December 13, 2010, from LexisNexis database.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Gieringer, D., Ph. D. (2009, October). Benefits of Marijuana Legalization in California. Retrieved December 13, 2010, from http://www.canorml.org/*background/*CA_legalization2.html[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Hemp Production[/FONT][FONT=&quot]. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2010, from http://www.panacea-bocaf.org/*hempproduction.htm[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Hildebrand, J. (2010, February 2). Sydney gets its first hemp farm. Retrieved December 13, 2010, from http://www.news.com.au/*entertainment/*body-soul/*sydney-gets-its-first-hemp-farm/*story-e6frfotr-1225825730822[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Hopwood, N., & Cohen, J. (n.d.). Greenhouse Gases and Society. Retrieved December 13, 2010, from http://www.umich.edu/*~gs265/*society/*greenhouse.htm[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Johnston, E. (2010, July 27). Medical marijuana now legal. Retrieved December 13, 2010, from http://voices.washingtonpost.com/*dc/*2010/*07/*medical_marijuana_now_legal.html[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The Marijuana Tax Act[/FONT][FONT=&quot]. (1937, August 7). Retrieved December 13, 2010, from http://www.druglibrary.org/*schaffer/*hemp/*taxact/*mjtaxact.htm[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Marijuana Use in Supportive Care for Cancer Patients[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [Fact Sheet]. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2010, from National Cancer Institute website: http://www.cancer.gov/*cancertopics/*factsheet/*Support/*marijuana[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Mehta, S. (2010, February 9). Fiorina suggests California consider bankruptcy . Retrieved December 13, 2010, from http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/*california-politics/*2010/*02/*fiorina-suggests-california-declare-bankruptcy.html[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Nader, R. (2005, June 25). Hemp for Victory. Retrieved December 13, 2010, from http://www.commondreams.org/*views05/*0625-23.htm[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]NORML Report on Sixty Years of Marijuana Prohibition in the U.S.[/FONT][FONT=&quot] (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2010, from http://norml.org/*index.cfm?Group_ID=4428[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]NOW “Willie Nelson on Biodiesel” I PBS [Video file]. (2007, January 12). Retrieved from http://www.hempmuseum.org/*ROOMS/*ARM BIO-FUELS.htm[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Opiate Side Effects[/FONT][FONT=&quot]. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2010, from http://www.opiates.com/*opiates/*opiate-side-effects.html[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Pollution: Petrol vs Hemp[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [Fact Sheet]. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2010, from http://www.hempcar.org/*petvshemp.shtml[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The Postwar Economy: 1945-1960[/FONT][FONT=&quot]. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2010, from U.S. Department of State website: http://countrystudies.us/*united-states/*history-114.htm[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Should marijuana be a medical option?[/FONT][FONT=&quot] (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2010, from ProCon.org website: http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Should Marijuana be Legalized under any Circumstances?[/FONT][FONT=&quot] (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2010, from http://www.balancedpolitics.org/*marijuana_legalization.htm[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Tucker, T. (2010, November 2). Voters Defeat Propositions Targeting Marijuana and Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Retrieved December 13, 2010, from http://www.kpsplocal2.com/*news/*local/*story/*Voters-Defeat-Propositions-Targeting-Marijuana/*gGx9re4xFkCFiIBEZ5Mv_w.cspx[/FONT]
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