It is time for the federal government to end its prohibition of marijuana. Current federal laws place marijuana in the same category with drugs such as cocaine and heroine, meaning that the federal government recognizes no medical value in marijuana.
Aside from the medical reasons, the prohibition of marijuana has come with enormous budgetary and social costs. Non-violent drug offenders make up a vast portion of America's prison population. Enforcement of the prohibition is also entirely too costly. At the same time, the violence arising from the illegal marijuana trade is entirely unconscionable. Much like the alcohol prohibition of the early 1900's, marijuana prohibition has led to a rise in organized crime, stifled legitimate economic activity, and been an abject failure.