Drugs have been a taboo for many centuries in the United States due to their exotic nature. Most other countries have already legalized drug use or never completely banned it. The United States could legalize drugs and bring many benefits. Over the past few years, legalization has become a major topic across the country. Colorado and Washington became the first to legalize marijuana and both benefited greatly. If the United States legalized drug use, the economy would grow, crime rates would decrease, and people would be smarter about drug use. History of Marijuana The United States has not always had strict laws regarding marijuana use. In 1906, the Pure Food and Drug Act prohibited the manufacture, sale, or transportation of adulterated or misbranded, poisonous, or deleterious foods, drugs, medicines, and alcohol, and regulated their trafficking and other purposes (government library. Web). This law required marijuana to be described as “poison” (Cardinale). Many rumors began to circulate across the country that marijuana could tempt people to use it. Depression hit soon after. Assumptions that marijuana would incite violent behavior, lead to insanity, addiction and drug abuse, and even inspire someone to commit sex crimes, have been fueled by the unemployment rate of 25 %, increasing animosity towards anyone perceived to be the cause of a struggling economy. (Cardinale)In 1931, the government linked heinous crimes committed by non-white communities to marijuana use. In 1932, twenty-nine states banned the use of marijuana and Congress passed the Uniform Narcotic Act which gave the government control over preventing the distribution and use of narcotics. In 1936, the... middle of paper ...... to CHP data, and law enforcement places much of the blame on the rapid growth of medical marijuana use over the past decade . Deaths in crashes in which drugs were the primary cause and alcohol was not involved jumped 55 percent in the 10 years ending in 2009. (Vartebjan) This is a serious situation because marijuana can harm more than just the user. Drunk driving kills more people every year, but remains legal. If the United States legalizes marijuana, it will have to crack down on driving under the influence of drugs. Conclusion Marijuana legalization will be an ongoing battle for many years to come. The battle will begin with medical marijuana and then continue until full legalization. The United States could make money, reduce the crime rate and support the sick. Europe has already made this change and has benefited greatly from it. Will the United States soon follow?