UNITED STATES – APRIL 24: A U.S. flag redesigned with marijuana leaves blows in the wind as DCMJ.org holds a protest in front of the U.S. Capitol on Monday, April 24, 2017, to call on Congress to reschedule the drug classification of marijuana. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
The reasons to legalize weed are seemingly infinite. Some of these reasons are grounded in economics, marijuana’s therapeutic potential, or the corrupt legal system that flows from senseless prohibition. And on a different level, in many ways, the simple pleasures of cannabis as a recreational product are enough justification on their own.
Whether you’re a skeptic looking for answers, or an advocate looking for convincing arguments to present to skeptics, these 50 reasons to legalize weed aren’t nearly a complete list, but they’re a good place to start.
Here are 50 reasons to legalize weed.
Legalizing cannabis will help people treat a host of illnesses and conditions.
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26. Under cannabis prohibition, more than one person is arrested for marijuana every minute of the year.
27. This mass incarceration problem, exacerbated by the prohibition of marijuana, leads to higher crime rates.
28. Legalizing cannabis will prevent many people from being locked away for years—sometimes even their entire lives—for doing something that most people believe should be legal.
29. Legalizing cannabis takes revenue dollars out of the hands of violent gangs and drug cartels.
30. Research shows that couples who smoke cannabis together are less likely to experience domestic violence and aggression.
36. Cannabis jobs can allow you to make six figures almost immediately after graduating from university.
37. Cannabis is projected to create 250,000 jobs by 2020.
38. Legalizing cannabis is allowing Colorado to reduce homelessness
39. Legalizing cannabis is allowing Colorado to put more money into bettering its public schooling system.
Legalizing cannabis is good for your social life
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40. People are replacing alcohol with cannabis, which is much safer.
41. Cannabis can improve your sex life.
42. Cannabis encourages bonding, which can improve your relationships.
43. Cannabis can help you get through painful hangovers.
44. Unlike alcohol, cannabis doesn’t cause you to blackout and make terrible life decisions. If anything, it will encourage you to watch movies and chill.
45. While you should always stay sober behind the wheel, cannabis doesn’t cause nearly the amount of traffic accident as alcohol, other drugs, and distracted driving.
46. Cannabis makes just about every summer activity more enjoyable.