Legalize recreational pot? More say ’yes’ for economic benefits

Four states legalized recreational marijuana in November, nearly doubling the number of states where recreational pot is legal. As more states consider joining them, a range of arguments for and against legalization is swirling around the national conversation. But which of these arguments resonate most strongly with Americans' It's the a rguments that support legalization, according to a new study co-authored by Jeff Niederdeppe , associate professor of communication in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. More than 60 percent of people surveyed in - In contrast, fewer people in the study agreed with anti-legalization arguments emphasizing the damage the policy would have on public health. These reasons included that legalization would increase car accidents, hurt youth's health, expand the marijuana industry, increase crime and threaten moral values. 'The pro arguments are really practical: 'Give us money and jobs. Keep our prison from being overcrowded, make law enforcement's job easier,'' said Niederdeppe.