For decades, the United States government and anti-marijuana lobbyists have used misleading information and propaganda to demonize and keep marijuana illegal. Current marijuana laws are fueled by harmful moral attitudes based on biased information, half-truths, and exaggerated myths about the danger it poses, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Once these misconceptions are dispelled, it is clear that legalizing marijuana poses fewer risks than already socially acceptable legal drugs, such as alcohol and tobacco, and will not bring about the downfall of society as many fear. Additionally, legalization will have a positive economic benefit, taking marijuana out of the hands of dangerous drug cartels and opening a market for domestic production and sale. This additional revenue generated from regulated and taxed marijuana sales, along with money saved on law enforcement and jailing offenders, can be used for larger national problems. An example of the scare tactics used to try to convince the American people that marijuana is dangerous can be seen as early as 1935, in a propaganda film called "Reefer Madness" (Gasnier & Hirliman, 1935). The film chronicles the effects of marijuana use on a group of teenagers, depicting murder, fainting, and madness resulting from its use, none of which are based on scientific fact. Ironically, this film became a cult comedy in the 1970s due to its exaggerated depiction of marijuana use (Armstrong, n.d.). Although such a blatantly inaccurate educational film would never be released today, it serves as a good example of how long the American public has been misinformed about the dangers of marijuana. ..s/marijuanaMarijuana overdose. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.allaboutcounseling.com/library/marijuana-overdose/ Miron, J., & Waldock, K. (2010). The budgetary implications of ending drug prohibition. Retrieved from http://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/DrugProhibitionWP.pdfSmoking and tobacco use. (2013). Retrieved from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/effects_cig_smoking/index.htmSewell, RA, Poling, J., & Sofuoglu, M. (2009) . The effect of cannabis versus alcohol on driving. The American Journal on Addictions.18:185-193. doi:10.1080/10550490902786934Tandy, K. (updated September 21, 2013). Marijuana: Myths Are Killing Us DEA Chief Examines Harmful Misconceptions About Pot. Retrieved from http://alcoholism.about.com/od/pot/a/bldea050426.htm