Marijuana is a drug that can be consumed by smoking or eating; this drug is generally used for medicinal or recreational use, however, in the United States it is the most popular illegal drug used daily by many users. Under federal law marijuana is classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance; Heroin, LSD and PCP also fall into this category. Marijuana has many street names such as Pot, weed, weed, Mary Jane, weed, and reefer, to name a few. Marijuana is considered a gateway drug and can lead to the potential use of other key illicit drugs. Americans spend approximately $100 billion on marijuana per year, which is approximately thirty-two million pounds of weed per year. Regardless of whether marijuana is legal or illegal, people will continue to use it. Legalizing marijuana brings a lot of controversy; there isn't much research available on marijuana to show whether it would be beneficial to legalize. However, the government makes it very difficult for researchers to investigate the effects marijuana would have on our society because it is banned. If Americans were educated about using weed, they would understand that it is no more dangerous than drinking alcohol. Marijuana prohibition creates an illegal economy, provides easy access to young people, and is costly to taxpayers. An illegal economy, shadow economy or black markets are very difficult for the government to regulate. According to Eric Scholosser, author of Reefer Madness, he explains the black market as “where economic activities remain off the books, where they are unregistered, unreported and in violation of the law” (Reefer Madness). Originally, the war on drugs was intended to help alleviate this black market. However, Jon Gettman states “……half of the document……//www.prohibitioncosts.com/mironreport.html>.WebMorgan, Scott. “If the war on drugs works, why has teen access to marijuana increased this year?” Drug Trafficking in School, Marijuana Policy March 20, 2011. August 14, 2008 .WebMorgan, Scott. “Incarceration policy will have to change when the money runs out.” Stop the Drug War March 26, 2011. February 22, 2011. .WebRavenel, Thomas. "Drug prohibition violates logic and civil rights." Mail and Courier March 26, 2011. February 5, 2011 .WebSchlosser, Eric. The madness of the reefer. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. Print “Teens Report Easy Access to Marijuana.” Join Together March 20, 2011. August 22, 2002 .Web