The legalization of marijuana is a topic that has been debated ever since it became illegal in the late 1930s. After the loss of the battle against alcohol, the 18th Amendment, which prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of liquor, was repealed by the 21st Amendment. A few years later, the Government found a new target. That target was marijuana. The prohibition of marijuana began in 1937 and it still prohibited. Former President Carter had tried several times to repeal the law but was unsuccessful due to the "Just Say NO" campaign started by the "Nancy Reagan Administration." Here is the certified explanation made by The Commissioner of Narcotics to Congress, which played a major part in the Marijuana Tax Stamp Act: "There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the U.S, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz, and swing result from marijuana usage. This marijuana causes white women to seek relations with Negroes, entertainers and any others." - Harry Anslinger, U.S. Commissioner of Narcotics, testifying to Congress on why Marijuana should be made illegal, 1937 (The Marijuana Tax Stamp Act, signed Aug. 2, 1937; effective Oct. 1, 1937.) This racist statement is the reason for the prohibition of marijuana. There is nothing to indicate that marijuana is dangerous to one's health or leads marijuana-users to become violent. It's still a mystery why this is still valid. The laws against the use of marijuana are widely used and quite harsh. Police make more than half a million arrests for marijuana offenses. And most of these people who are arrested possess small amounts. 13% of the arrests were for distributing, manufacturing, growing. Enforcing these laws cost an estimated $10-15 billion in direct costs alone (Nadelmann). Why spend money on a meaningless war on drugs and not spend it on something useful like a war against poverty or AIDS.
             There has also been debate the over m...