Marijuana should be legal Dave Luo

What does government do? Both parents and children Parents: take care responsible Children: less power listen to citizens

Possession for Personal Use of marijuana  Possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana is decriminalized and is punishable as a civil offense. If the offender is over the age of 18 they must pay a fine of $100. Offenders under the age of 18 must pay a $100 fine and must attend a drug awareness program.  Possession of more than one ounce of marijuana is punishable by a fine of $500 and/or imprisonment of up to 6 months. However, first offenders of the controlled substances act will be placed on probation and all official records relating to the conviction will be sealed upon successful completion of probation. Subsequent offenses may result in a fine of $2000 and/or imprisonment of up to 2 years. Individuals previously convicted of felonies under the controlled substances act who are arrested with over an ounce of marijuana may be subject to a fine of $2000 and/or up to 2 years of imprisonment.  Mass. Gen. Laws. ch. 94C, § 32L  Mass. Gen. Laws. ch. 94C, § 34  In short, less than 1 oz, $100 fine, over 1 oz, $2000 or 2 years of imprisonment

Problems of marijuana prohibition  Corruption  Cost a lot of taxes  More crimes

Corruption Police Black- market offender marijuana

Cost a lot of taxes $10 billion per year. Taxes can be used in other places

More crimes  Arrest more than 750,000 individuals per year. More than total number of all violent c crimes combined

If marijuana is legal  Less crime  Less corruption  Government can get more taxes through the trade of marijuana.

Suggestion  Making marijuana become legal  Do not abuse marijuana