Marijuana is a hot topic in America today. The plant is considered a harmful and unnecessary drug. But this propaganda has been spread by the government and anti-legalization organizations for 20 to 25 years. In reality, the legalization of marijuana would have a positive impact on today's society. The American people need to look beyond the degrading advertisements and publications about marijuana use and discover its practical uses. George Washington once told one of his servants at Mount Vernon, “Make the most of hemp seeds. Sow it everywhere. Yet today in the United States, simple possession of a marijuana or hemp plant can cost a person up to 10 years in prison. What has changed? The plant certainly does not have it, it is simply the perception of its use and applications that does. Hemp has useful and practical uses. It is legally grown in over 30 countries around the world and can grow successfully without pesticides or fertilizers. It can be used to make paper products, lubricants, fabrics and plumbing pipes. Hemp only takes one growing season to reach maturity and a single acre can produce five tons of usable hemp products. Why raze forests when hemp can be used as an environmentally friendly way to make paper? Why use synthetic materials for oil paint products when hemp can produce non-polluting drying oil used to paint masterpieces? Why kill trees when hemp already successfully produces paper pulp to make particleboard and plywood? This list could go on and on, and these are exactly the arguments made by pro-legalization groups like the MPP (Marijuana Policy Project) and NORML. (National Organization for Marijuana Law Reform) (Rosenthal). Marijuana also has many medical uses. which have been shown to be effective...... middle of paper ......s of drugs should be legal: solicitation, use and distribution. Many survey responses indicated that marijuana use was so popular because it was illegal, compared to the prohibition of alcohol in the 1920s. One response stated, "People use these drugs in part because that they are illegal. In the past, alcohol was the most widely smuggled drug. Now that it’s legal, it doesn’t seem to be as controversial a topic as it used to be.” This view on marijuana use reflects other survey responses as well as Sergeant Kevin Smith's views on the subject. (Smith, Chandler)Marijuana is safe, useful and convenient. Legalization is favored by both law enforcement and citizens. Legalization can create jobs and income. It's time to reform America's marijuana laws, and it needs to happen now..