RJA #2b: Research Topic

The topic I have chosen to do my argumentative paper on this semester is going to be the legalization of Marijuana for both medical and public use. The reason this subject was chosen is that I am going to get my degree in criminal justice and whats more fitting than a topic such as this. I also have some what of an opinion on the subject due to my use of Marijuana in the my high school days. I don't want to have a biased opinion on this subject because I want to be a well rounded person and base my beliefs on facts and not opinions.
I honestly don't have much knowledge in this subject besides the fact that I have had previously experimented in the use of Marijuana in high school. I have heard a few rumors that the reason that this infamous drug is illegal is due to the fact that "The Man"(Uncle Sam), can't tax this product because it is so hard to regulate. I know a little bit of information on the legal Marijuana that is prescribed by doctors to those with terminal illnesses. A cohort of mine, his mother has been prescribed marijuana due to the fact that she has a illness that the THC can help with. Also a deceased aunt of mine had also been prescribed Marijuana to help her gain her appetite back when she was in her last months of life and couldn't keep her food down. I also know some of the regulations and laws that the patients have to follow in order to keep their legal Marijuana license.
There are many topics about this subject that I don't know about. This is exactly why I have picked it for my paper this semester. I want to learn the reasoning behind the illegalization of pot and the laws that go behind keeping this drug illegal. I also want to learn about the long term and short term effects it has on the mind and body. Some other things I want to learn about is some positive points about the drug,if there are any. Its just that growing up I have only heard the negative about Marijuana and I know there has to be some good to it. I mean if cigarettes and alcohol can be legalized and they have mental and physical effects then why can't we think about legalizing Marijuana.