The use of recreational marijuana should be fully legalized in Rhode Island. Marijuana, otherwise known as weed, pot, or Mary Jane, is a greenish-gray mixture of the dried flowers from the Cannabis sativa plant. Marijuana can be consumed in all different ways, including smoking, vaping, drinks (such as tea) or edibles (brownies, candy, and cookies). 

In Rhode Island, although marijuana is decriminalized for recreational use, one will still get in trouble if caught with the suppressant. Possession of less than one ounce is only a civil offense (similar to a parking ticket), but if convicted for the sale or growing of more than five kilograms, the distributor could end up with life in prison. 

After Washington and Colorado fully legalized the use of recreational marijuana in 2012, thirteen other states followed suit. From there, another thirteen states legalized the use medically and decriminalized the use for recreational purposes. Another twelve states determined marijuana is medically legal but recreationally illegal. In states like Nebraska and North Carolina, the use is illegal but decriminalized, but in South Carolina and Tennessee, the use is fully illegal and still considered a felony offense. 

Not only would the legalization of marijuana drastically boost the economy, but legal marijuana will be regulated for safety by laboratories to ensure that nothing is laced and that all strains are free of any toxins. For example, Colorado raised $78 million the first year after starting retail marijuana sales, and $129 million the second. Washington collected a total of $220 million in tax revenue through its second year of sales. 

Although the effects of alcohol can be different than the effects of marijuana, people use both drugs as a way to escape reality and wind down. If one can drink in their own home or even in public, then why shouldn’t one be able to smoke marijuana? Nobody needs alcohol to live, yet they still enjoy drinking with friends and family, similar to how some like to smoke with those close to them.  

As you can see, the U.S is all over the place with the legality of recreational marijuana, making it difficult for those who choose to legally partake. When comparing the use of marijuana to alcohol, it can be difficult to see why using marijuana is still severely frowned upon. For a depressant that has no long term effects, it’s ridiculous that marijuana is not fully legal.