The legalization of Marijuana is a controversial issue in many parts of the world. Policy makers, Health care providers, and society at large see it as a substance which erodes the morals of a society. Some of the states in the United States accept the use of marijuana for medical purposes. However, selling the drug for non-medical use may result in jail term of not less than six months. The restriction of marijuana is unprecedented worldwide but there are some countries that have legalized it, such as the city of Amsterdam in Netherlands, the state of Colorado in the United States and Jamaica (Blake & Finlaw, 2014).

Over dependence on marijuana leads to harmful effects to the user and the society which has led to its illegalization in many states in the United States. However, there is a growing demand from state governments as well as the general American populous for the legalization of marijuana for both recreational and medicinal use. This paper will discuss the positive and negative effects of legalization of Marijuana both for recreational use and medical reasons.

The use of marijuana for medical purposes is legal in 23 states in the United States and some other countries worldwide (Caulkins et al, 2014). The states define possession of marijuana for medical reasons as the acquisition, production, possession, use, transportation and production of marijuana for treatment of patients debilitating medical condition and diagnosis of symptoms or effects of a certain disease. Marijuana can treat the symptoms of cancer or HIV/AIDS, which are two of the most dangerous diseases in the world (Ray, 2004). Cancer is incurable same as AIDS. Marijuana helps to reduce the symptoms and effects of these diseases and hence proving to be a great addition to the medical world where most of the medicines used have failed. As such, the legalization of the drug can help many people who are suffering from such conditions.

The use of marijuana is always compared to irrational and rowdy behavior. Opponents of the drugs state that people who use marijuana always end up as failures in the society because of its addiction and negative effects. Some of the people who use the drug always end up abusing it. However, this cannot be the case against illegalizing it because such behavior can be regulated. For example, alcohol has many effects which have destroyed the lives of many individuals. Some states have put up some regulations which have helped to curb the negative effects of alcohol. The use of Alco blow for example to detect a person who is drunk while driving has reduced the cases of accidents related to alcohol. The same can be done for marijuana by providing regulations which will curb its negative effects in the society. Most recently, the lawmakers discussed about legalization of marijuana nationwide some even suggesting that marijuana is not harmful as people think but helpful (Barry, Hiilamo & Glantz2014). Other argued that alcohol is even worse than marijuana. As much as people hate against the legalization of marijuana, having a doubtful stance is important to see its positive side as well.

People compare legalization of marijuana to other hard drugs. Hard drugs are extremely harmful to the human body, the society and even countrywide. On the contrary, the effects of marijuana can be contained. Marijuana is special for some reason over other hard drugs. First, the market of marijuana is less violent compared to drugs such as heroin or cocaine (Joffe, & Yancy, 2004). The consumption of marijuana is less associated with income generating crime such as Mexican cartels that cause chaos in many parts of Mexico. Marijuana is much less dangerous than other illegal drugs in the market in terms of intoxication, overdose, and risk dependence. Lastly, over 17 million Americans use marijuana in any given month either recreationally or for medicinal value (CerdÃ, 2012).

Unfortunately, much of the literature regarding legalization of the drug marijuana comes from opponents and advocates of legal change, in which they are committed to their cause than objectivity. Prohibition of Marijuana constraints the number of users and the quantity consumed in any given day. Illegalization also reduces availability of the drug. A legal ban on marijuana creates inefficiencies in the black market which means it cannot be produced bulky as bulky machines will be hard to hide from the police (Mallon, 2015). Many people who are addicted to hard drugs started by using marijuana. Illegalizing marijuana for recreational use can help minimize the number of individuals who will be hard drugs addicts. The spillover effects will be minimal compare to if it would be legalized. As much as prohibition might bring have its advantages, suppressing it may result in underground market incarceration, violence and crime. The cost of controlling such effects will cause the tax payers large amount of cash. The DEA estimate that the costs for controlling such markets can be as much as $41.3 billion per year (Mooney, 2015).

The legalization of marijuana has proved to be a big issue for many states. However, has seen from the discussion, its effects are exaggerated and legalizing it might bring positive changes. In conclusion, the positive effects of legalizing marijuana both for medical and recreational reasons outweigh the reasons against its illegalization. What is needed in the market is a little regulation and rules to control its market and use in the society. Some countries have legalized it and their economy and society is as healthy as any other across the world. As such, opponents need to be objective in their reasons and see that legalization of marijuana might not be a bad thing as assumed by non-marijuana users.