128keaton/marijuana-analysis-essay.txt

## marijuana-analysis-essay.txt
	In the recent years, the marijuana legalization debate has taken American politics by storm. Two articles, with opposite view points, attempt to stake their claim in legalization territory. First Christian Science Monitor’s ‘Legalize Marijuana? No So Fast’, and second is Gary Johnson’s ‘Legalize Pot to Cut Crime, Fill Coffers’. Within this essay, both articles will be examined, and the arguments within deconstructed. Then, the related arguments will be compared. I will begin by stating that the argument presented in CSM’s article is stronger than the argument presented in Johnson’s essay.
	Johnson’s article is littered with claims, but with no evidence behind them. The article also doesn't have a clear thesis statement, but instead  One stunning example is the claim that “Marijuana is this country's largest cash crop, a $36 billion-a-year industry that is bigger than corn and wheat combined” (Cite). Johnson also claims that “America would be a better place to live if all the resources we currently put toward criminalizing marijuana use were more wisely spent by law enforcement on protection from real crime”.  Both claims may be true, but no evidence is presented. Johnson states “Tens of millions of American adults should have the right to live their life as they chose, provided they do no harm to anyone else” (Cite), which is a good reason to legalize, but is marijuana really a “victim-less” crime? The article’s points are tied around American rights and financial gain without really delving into detailed issues. While the article provides good reasons, it does not include the required evidence and focuses on very broad issues.
	CSM’s article discusses some broader issues with marijuana legalization. While it doesn't answer issues specifically brought up in Johnson’s article, it does argue with a few. On the topic of finances, CSM argues that legalization could have unexpected costs. Like alcohol, CSM argues, it could easily find its way into the hands of underaged teenagers if it was cheaper. While evidence for this claim isn’t directly annotated, a fair point about alcohol is brought up, CSM states that “…regulators still have not succeeded in keeping alcohol from underage drinkers” (Cite). The article continues discussing America’s youth, stating “Today’s youth are tomorrow’s world problem solvers—and the ones most likely affected if marijuana is legalized” (Cite). While the article conveys negative effects, the statement rings true. What future effects are in store? The article can’t predict the future though. Another claim that CSM makes is that marijuana has a small influence on crime and border violence in America. The evidence provided comes from Jonathan Caulkins of Carnegie Mellon, who states that “.. cocaine, methamphetamine, heroine—play a much larger role in crime and violence” (Cite).
	In the recent years, the marijuana legalization debate has taken American politics by storm. Two articles, with opposite view points, attempt to stake their claim in legalization territory. First Christian Science Monitor’s ‘Legalize Marijuana? No So Fast’, and second is Gary Johnson’s ‘Legalize Pot to Cut Crime, Fill Coffers’. Within this essay, both articles will be examined, and the arguments within deconstructed. Then, the related arguments will be compared. I will begin by stating that the argument presented in CSM’s article is stronger than the argument presented in Johnson’s essay.
	Johnson’s article is littered with claims, but with no evidence behind them. The article also doesn't have a clear thesis statement, but instead One stunning example is the claim that “Marijuana is this country's largest cash crop, a $36 billion-a-year industry that is bigger than corn and wheat combined” (Cite). Johnson also claims that “America would be a better place to live if all the resources we currently put toward criminalizing marijuana use were more wisely spent by law enforcement on protection from real crime”. Both claims may be true, but no evidence is presented. Johnson states “Tens of millions of American adults should have the right to live their life as they chose, provided they do no harm to anyone else” (Cite), which is a good reason to legalize, but is marijuana really a “victim-less” crime? The article’s points are tied around American rights and financial gain without really delving into detailed issues. While the article provides good reasons, it does not include the required evidence and focuses on very broad issues.
	CSM’s article discusses some broader issues with marijuana legalization. While it doesn't answer issues specifically brought up in Johnson’s article, it does argue with a few. On the topic of finances, CSM argues that legalization could have unexpected costs. Like alcohol, CSM argues, it could easily find its way into the hands of underaged teenagers if it was cheaper. While evidence for this claim isn’t directly annotated, a fair point about alcohol is brought up, CSM states that “…regulators still have not succeeded in keeping alcohol from underage drinkers” (Cite). The article continues discussing America’s youth, stating “Today’s youth are tomorrow’s world problem solvers—and the ones most likely affected if marijuana is legalized” (Cite). While the article conveys negative effects, the statement rings true. What future effects are in store? The article can’t predict the future though. Another claim that CSM makes is that marijuana has a small influence on crime and border violence in America. The evidence provided comes from Jonathan Caulkins of Carnegie Mellon, who states that “.. cocaine, methamphetamine, heroine—play a much larger role in crime and violence” (Cite).