Marijuana is a ground mix of dried flowers, stems and seeds of a plant called cannabis and people usually smoke it in the form of cigarettes to relax. Since marijuana hit mainstream America more than 30 years ago, its government prohibition has been the subject of ongoing debate. Should marijuana be legalized? Proponents of marijuana argue that there are numerous medical benefits and that the drug is no more harmful than tobacco or alcohol. Therefore, banning it affects personal freedom. Opponents, however, argue that marijuana is too dangerous; its legalization would increase the chances that the drug ends up in the hands of children and that the use of marijuana often progresses to the use of more dangerous drugs such as heroin and cocaine. Over the past decade, a number of movements to legalize the use of marijuana have gained momentum. According to the 2011 Gallup survey, a record 50% of Americans say marijuana should be legalized, and this figure marks a 4% increase from the previous year. Support for legalizing marijuana was 30% in 2000, 40% in 2009 before reaching 50% last year. This shows that despite government efforts to eliminate its use, marijuana is becoming more and more popular. More and more people realize that legalizing marijuana has numerous benefits. Not only does it provide medical benefits to terminally ill patients, it could also be a source of tax revenue and save taxpayers billions of dollars spent on law enforcement costs. Most doctors would find that marijuana is not harmful when used in moderation. It is only when people abuse the drug that problems arise. Marijuana is less addictive and less dangerous than tobacco and alcohol. If a person abuses alcohol... at the center of the paper... responsible consumption and behavior. Works Cited “Record High 50% of Americans Favor Legalizing Marijuana Use” www.gallup.com/…/ record-high-americans-favor-legalizing-marijuan… 2009. Web 15 March 2012“FASTSTATS – Alcohol Use” www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/alcohol.htm 2009. Web March 15, 2012.“Bureau of Justice Statistics Drugs and Crime Facts: Contents” bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/ dcf/contents.cfm 2007. Web 15 March 2012. Rosenthal, ed. and Steve Kuppy. Why marijuana should be legal. Print 2003. 20-75“ASA: AMA Report Recognizes Medical Benefits of Marijuana, Urges … www.safeaccessnow.org › Newsroom › Press Releases 2008. Web March 15, 2012. “Making an Economic Case For Legalizing Drugs” www .cato.org/ publications/.../making-economic-case-legalizing-drug... 2010. Web 15 March. 2012.