"Texas Will Rake in the Green if it Legalizes Marijuana"

                                                             Photo by Mike Bagby

On Thursday September 25, 2014 the Houston Press published Dianna Wray's article, “Texas Will Rake in the Green if it Legalizes Marijuana,” giving hope to those in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana in Texas. Dianna Wray claims that if Texas should choose to legalize recreational marijuana, it would greatly benefit from the large sum of revenue accrued from the market supply and demand of the newly legalized product, generating an impressive profit from sales tax.

               In backing her argument Dianna used a credible source to present her argument on the estimated profits of tax revenue from sales of recreational marijuana. Dianna Wray states that Nerdwallet, a personal finance website, predicts that Texas could make about $166 Million in tax money each year from the sale of recreational Marijuana. Dianna Wray’s argument is not strong because she based her information on pot-use stats from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Is she trying to say that we should legalize marijuana to support pot addicts! Later in her article, Dianna states “… Texas would only levy a 15 percent tax and that only current smokers (aged 25 years old and over) would actually smoke.” Dianna Wray’s argument on this matter is weak because current smokers of marijuana come in all ages. Even now teenagers and much younger children can get their hands on legal and illegal drugs such as alcohol, cocaine, and tobacco; think about how much easier it would be for minors to get it if Texas legalizes another drug.

Although I do not agree with Dianna on the legalization of marijuana, I believe her argument could have been made stronger had she stressed more on how this extra revenue can help Texas' economy. For example, Dianna could have strengthen her argument had she mentioned that Texas and its local government are struggling with rising costs and decreased revenue and by legalizing recreational marijuana the state of Texas and its local government can use the tax revenue to increase income to help the economy by paying for things such as education costs and/or road repairs.” Although I disagree with legalizing marijuana, Wray’s argument would have been stronger had she stressed its health benefits.

Legalization of marijuana has been a rather controversial issue. Many people want this substance to be legalized and available like cigarettes. Some people neglect the serious health risks involved when using marijuana. There is a lot more to marijuana than just smoking it. A number of studies have noted significant correlations between marijuana use and many severe health and social problems. The negative impact of expanded marijuana use will have a severe and pervasive impact on public health from which there will be no turning back. Studies has shown negative impacts from marijuana use such as immune system damage, birth defects, infertility, and stroke. This shows that legalizing marijuana can only do more harm than good.

Dianna Wray's article is interesting, but her argument was not strong enough to change my mind on the legalization of marijuana. Even with regulations and taxes on cigarettes and alcohol you still find minors drinking and smoking. If we add another drug that is already on the street and legalize it, are we not adding to the fire? Do the risks really outweigh the rewards? If Texas joins Colorado and Washington what will we be promoting, would we really be okay with making drug money, putting the state before the people? Truthfully anyone who wants marijuana can easily obtain it so why make it more accessible to our children by legalizing it.