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Statement

Factor 1

Factor 2

Factor 3

8

Education and regulation are better options than prohibition

3

1

0

1

The harms associated with marijuana are less than those associated with tobacco and alcohol, and they are not sufficient reason to justify making marijuana illegal

1

0

0

11

It should become legal for those over the age of eighteen because these individuals are considered adults and are able to make their own decisions regarding drug use

1

0

−1

5

Marijuana does not cause violence. In fact, people who are high on marijuana tend to be relaxed, mellow, and too happy to want to fight

0

−1

−1

18

There is an abundance of anecdotal evidence, as well as some scientific research, indicating that marijuana can be effective as a treatment for some illnesses

0

2

3

10

If we legalize marijuana, we reduce the black market and the violence associated with the sale of marijuana

0

3

0

4

Taxpayers are forced to pay billions of dollars to persecute, prosecute, and lock up people for having marijuana. If marijuana were legal, this money, plus tax revenues from marijuana sales, could be used for other purposes such as education or health care

0

1

−2

15

By legalizing marijuana, there will be an increase in people using the drug and therefore a need to increase rehabilitation programs which will come at the cost of taxpayers and the government

−1

−1

1

16

A decrease in the use of marijuana means fewer health risks such as slowed brain function or risk of cancer

−1

0

2

14

By legalizing marijuana, more people will use the drug and as a result, become addicted and more families will become dysfunctional

−3

−1

1