by Hunter Tower

Widener University Political Science Major

Legalizing marijuana is now a major public policy issue in Congress. Two members of the House of Representatives, Congressman Jarid Polis (D-CO) and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) introduced bills to amend the federal laws against marijuana where the federal government would regulate and tax it just like alcohol or cigarettes.

I am a conservative Republican and I think this is a great idea. The government cannot control the drug trade and black market and how things get smuggled into the country, so why not legalize it and regulate it?  If we do this there would be less crime because the majority of crimes committed are over drugs.

If the federal government legalizes pot it can help the poor economy nd make money off of taxing the product. Further, many more people will relax and not have a need to drive this deeper underground like it’s some kind of cult thing to “smoke a joint.” I do not smoke at all and do not feel the need to, but some people do and it helps them relax. Even doctors prescribe it to some of their patients. If people are happier and calmer, that leads to less crime. Just as Thomas Jefferson stated, we have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.