a. The issue that I have chosen to research and discuss is the legalization of marijuana. The topic is a large issue in the United States and has been since it was first legalized for medicinal purposed in California in 1996. My audience is mainly the young generation, mostly comprised of college student. It may also pertain to the middle aged audience because it could be used to stimulate the economy.
b. It is already medically legal in 15 states and DC however it remains illegal under federal law. For younger generations, it has become almost a commonality at parties and in daily life. For those students who are losing scholarships and possible internships because of a possession charge or a positive drug test, legalization of marijuana would be a positive law. For those of the older generation who are concerned with the national debt problem or the unemployment rate, the legalization and taxation of marijuana would create jobs as well as more profit for the national government instead of tax free drug dealers.
c. Financial: like discussed above, a marijuana industry would provide jobs and rake in tax money. Drug Cartels: the majority of profits for drug cartels, and with the recent rise in violence from mexican drug cartels, if we were to legalize marijuana they would lose a large portion of their funding. Morals: many who oppose the legalization of marijuana do so for moral reasons. They believe it is immoral to poison your mind with drugs. Prison Populations: with prisons in America becoming over crowded, if we were to legalize marijuana, it would decrease the number of arrests and save space in prisons for those who commit violent crimes.
d. I have supported legalization for a long time and feel as if there are many things to be gained from it. Thus far the prohibition has failed and money is being wasted in continuing it.
Jordan, this issue is controversial and arguable. However, your topic proposal shows your bias which you admit. You have clearly considered several reasons why marijuana should be legalized, but this is a proposal for essay 4 (i.e. the Policy/proposal argument). What you need to do for the exploratory paper is consider various perspectives on the issue! Who thinks that it should stay illegal and why? Do they all have the same reasons? What about those people who think that argue for legalization, do they have the same reasons views on the necessity to legalize it? Hope this helps!
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