What could the United States do with an additional $7.7 billion? What could the state of Michigan do with $5.3 billion? How did the nation get so much money in one year? Legalizing marijuana would bring such revenue. Replacing “marijuana prohibition with a legal regulatory system would save approximately $7.7 billion in government spending on enforcing prohibition – $2.4 billion at the federal level and $5.3 billion dollars at the state and local levels” (Miron, “Budget Implications of Marijuana Bans in the United States). The money thus generated could be used for many needs of the nation. For example, an immediate use would be to help restore bridge and road infrastructure. The US economy is currently suffering and simply legalizing marijuana would help boost the economy. This law will also help many citizens suffering from debilitating illnesses reduce their suffering. There are many benefits to legalizing marijuana, including eliminating some of the waste from the war on drugs, boosting the United States economy, and helping many patients relieve their pain . In order to truly understand the benefits of legalizing marijuana, one must discuss why it was made illegal in the first place. In 1914, the Harrison Act “represented the first time that drug use was defined as a crime” (Goodwin 42). This law set a precedent allowing twenty-seven states to make marijuana illegal. These states made marijuana illegal because they were wary of Mexican immigrants bringing marijuana with them (Goodwin 42-43). Therefore, these laws were not passed for safety or health reasons, but simply for reasons of racism. In 1937, the U.S. Congress proposed making doctors not only boost the economy, but also help alleviate many of the disorders and illnesses that doctors have been fighting for generations. The many benefits of legalizing marijuana include saving taxpayer dollars through frivolous law enforcement, boosting America's weak economy, and helping to reduce pain related to many medical conditions. Marijuana exists and is easy to obtain according to 85% of high school students. Year after year, these seniors tell government investigators how easy it is to obtain marijuana (Miron). Marijuana is already readily available throughout the United States and the U.S. government is not taking advantage of its availability; he actually suffers because marijuana is a black market product. If this illegal item were to become legal, it would boost the United States economy, reduce law enforcement costs, and help alleviate pain and suffering..