Pubdate: Mon, 02 Nov 2015
Source: Athens News, The (OH)
Copyright: 2015, Athens News
Contact:  http://www.athensnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1603
Author: Sophia Vancouver

MAKING MARIJUANA LEGAL WILL TAKE AWAY ITS FORBIDDEN ATTRACTION

To the Editor: Issue 3 should be passed in the state of Ohio because 
marijuana arrests distract police from real issues such as heroin 
users or gun violence.

Fifty-two percent of all drug arrests in 2010 were for marijuana use. 
With marijuana currently being illegal, it is still widely used for 
medical and recreational uses. The fact that it is illegal does not 
stop a majority of users. Making it legal will help medical users 
obtain it more easily and not have to pay a high price. Yes, with the 
legalization of weed it will be easier for recreational users to get 
their hands on it, but that may not be as bad as people think.

With 52 percent of drug arrests being for the use of weed, it isn't 
helping the community or economy by having marijuana illegal. It 
takes up jail space and distracts police from bigger issues. A lot of 
money, effort and time go into arresting people growing, selling or 
buying marijuana. I think those resources go toward more important 
issues like arresting heroin abusers or people showing violence toward others.

I used to be 100 percent against the use of marijuana because I have 
seen people use it stupidly, but that was because as a high school 
student or new college student, they like the idea of getting away 
with something illegal. If Issue 3 passes, I think the use of 
marijuana will increase, but become less of a problem to worry about 
in terms of people abusing it. Even recreational users will become 
more responsible because they know it is legal and therefore not a 
rebellious act to commit.

Sophia Vancouver

Athens
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