Blog Stage 6

While reading my classmate Athen Steele's post Uncle Sam, he came up with extensive list of why President Trump should not build a wall. I am neither pro or anti "build the wall" however he does bring up great points which are worth thinking about and researching. He brings up the topic of drugs entering the country, job loss to border patrol, and finical loss within the country. Athen states that "Some people think the wall would keep people out and also keep drugs from coming into our country. What people don't realize is that if bad people want to do bad things then they will find a way" (Steele). This is somewhat true and someone false, WOLA states that "U.S. officials estimate that 90 to 94 percent of heroin consumed in the United States today comes from Mexico, which is now producing about 70 tons per year" (Isacson). However, most of the drugs transported are not going across the border but through "ports of entry" which are small caves designed to transport drugs. The thought that people will lose jobs to the wall is ridiculous, people will firstly need to be hired to construct the wall, supply thousands of jobs to construction workers and others living on the border. Then their will also need to to be people to look after the wall and scout the areas near the wall. Lastly, this would be an operation that costs hundreds of millions if not billions of dollar to construct. However, if the wall would start to be constructed and President Trump does not get re-elected, I don't think the next President would waste all that money and put us in even more debt than we already are. The wall is something that could or could not be done, and I personally feel as if it will have little to no affect towards to fixing the United States drug epidemic or the crime wave in Mexico. 

Blog Stage 5

          For centuries now people have smoked and used marijuana for several different purposes. Ancient China was known for using hemp to do things like line pottery, and to make clothes and shoes. According to the UK Cannabis Internet Activist "...in 1972 an ancient burial site dating back to the Chou dynasty (1122-249 B.C.) was discovered. In it were fragments of cloth, some bronze containers, weapons, and pieces of jade. Inspection of the cloth showed it to be made of hemp, making this the oldest preserved specimen of hemp in existence". Marijuana has been found in ancient tombs in China and was also used a burial shroud in ancient China. Marijuana has been proven to be resourceful and less harmful than what people in the past previously thought.   

          Marijuana has been illegal in most states for 81 years now since the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. California has had legalized medical marijuana since the 90's and recently states like Washington and Colorado have had marijuana legalized recreationally. Colorado made a record 1.5 billion dollars with marijuana sales in 2017. According to The Cannabist "Colorado collected upward of $247 million in taxes and fees revenue from marijuana sales, according to state finance data" (Wallace). Its time for the US government to take up and see what is front of them, states that legalize cannabis make hundred millions of dollars in taxes. That is enough for renovations to the cities in need, constructing roads or highways, or just doing anything that a certain city really needs.