Across the United States, men and women are serving several years in prison for marijuana-related crimes. According to King and Mauer's War on Drugs research, "New York saw an 882% growth in marijuana arrests, including a 2,461% increase for possession offenses" (King and Mauer). The overarching issue of increasing marijuana-related arrests distracts law enforcement from more significant criminal activity. This has an immense effect on today's citizens because they are forced to break the law in order to relieve their chronic pain; arresting citizens for possession of marijuana creates a criminal record that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. In recent years, debates surrounding marijuana have concerned many citizens about whether it should be used for medical purposes or as a recreational drug. It is important to understand that marijuana is considered less dangerous than tobacco and alcohol combined. So how did marijuana become illegal? It started in the early 1900s; when hemp came into huge industrial use as it could be turned into fuel, paper, food, textiles and oil. Soon, hemp would become the next billion-dollar commodity; it has become a threat to several multi-billion dollar markets across the country. William Randolph Hearst owned a chain of newspaper companies and used everything in his power to ban marijuana. The real threat to Hearts was that Hemp could produce paper much more efficiently and could easily shut down his business. So he started publishing articles in the newspaper about a new drug called "marijuana," and said people were smoking it and blackmailing. people rape white women. Over the next several years, Congress ...... middle of document ......cms/Marijuana#sthash.mRXmkfwZ.dpbs>."Legalization of Marijuana | The White House." The White House. Np, and Web. July 28, 2013. Miron, Jefferey. “Cost of Marijuana Prohibition: Economic Analysis.” Prohibition fees. Np, and Web. July 28, 2013. .Ramer, Robert and Burkhard Hinz. “Inhibition of cancer cell invasion by cannabinoids via increased expression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1.” Oxford Newspapers | Medicine. Np, April 24, 2007. Web. July 29, 2013. Sayegh, Gabriel. “New York Marijuana Arrests Cost Police A Million Hours.” The Huffington Post. Np, February 20, 2013. Web. July 28 2013. .