...efforts to stop illegal drug smuggling, illegal drug use and distribution, no one seems to know what should be done. With drug use and drug related crime on the rise, some Americans argue that current drug law is too easy on drug offenders. Society at large asks, "Can we ever stop illegal drugs and their use?" It is a question that unfortunately has no easy answer. More and more people in America feel that if this country cannot stop illegal drugs, drugs should be legalized and controlled. Many people feel that this will eliminate the senseless violence that often goes hand in hand with illegal drugs. Although moral issues collide head to head with the idea of legalizing drugs, it seems legalization is the answer to the problem, but it is this proposed solution that has society divided. People often blame the criminal justice system for not doing enough to catch drug offenders and incarcerate them. At times they feel that if the problem is out of their sight, it disappears. The truth is that even if the justice system locks up every drug offender, the problem is not solved. Even inside jails and prisons, drug offenders continue their illegal sales and drug use. The fact that drugs are still used and sold in correctional institutions is evidence that building more prisons will not stop America's drug problem (Ostrowski 28). The call for legalization or decriminalization is not...
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...years, drugs have been prohibited by laws that the governments have imposed to prevent its illicit distribution and consumption. However, it is not a secret for many of us that Humans have been using psychedelic drugs since the beginning of time, and laws to regulate these substances are rather a new concept. So, that is why we think this way of preventing drug use is not the right one, the reality is that the strategy of drug prohibition, not drug use itself, is largely responsible for almost the same social pathologies produced by the drug consumption; as poverty, crime, lack of productive employment, marginalization, public health problems, among others. Briefly, drug liberation seems to be the new trend, but to what degree will the government relax drug laws before it is too much? Understanding the possible social benefits at legalizing drugs, we strongly believe that drugs use should be legalized by the government in order to win the Drug War. The first reason why drug use should be allowed is that drug legalization would mean a lower price. All illegal drugs are very expensive (their price is determined by a demand-led, unregulated marked) because their production, transportation and sale is very dangerous. So “some dependent users resort to stealing to raise funds (accounting 50% of UK property crime – estimated at £2 billion a year) most of the violence associated with illegal drug dealing is caused by its illegality” (urban 75, n.d) when people developed drug habits...
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...illegal drug problems. Although we hear terms like The War on Drugs and Drug Treatment, a fresh approach to this issue is overdue. The country should take a new look at drug legalization as a solution to a problem that has been long out of control. Addiction and drug abuse are such buzzwords these days that a clear clarification is needed of what is meant by these terms. Addiction has crossed the line from being defined as a physical dependency on drugs to include such classifications as religious addiction, shopping addiction, food addiction, work addiction, television addiction, and love addiction. Although a person may feel that he or she can’t live without their particular addiction, there is no scientific proof or medical test for an addict. To keep things in the broadest perspective, addiction will be defined here as the continual repetition of a normally non-problematic behavior to self-destructive access. This 3 definition leaves room for a broad range of behaviors without physical cause that will allow for a search of the real problem behind the behavior and not the excuse of saying that it is the result of a disease. Since addiction is believed to be a social problem then an attempt at cutting off the source of addiction, drugs in this case, is thought to cure the problem. If that be the case then gambling and food abusers should be treated the same as addicts. Since drug legalization is the topic of this essay let us focus on alternatives to the War on Drugs. One possibility...
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...Principles of Sociology I do not believe that recreational drugs should be legalized for a number of reasons. In my opinion, if they were legalized children and teens would have much easier access to them. Even with an age limit, such as we have for alcohol and tobacco, they would still get into the hands of our youth. Secondly, with the legalization of recreational drugs, there would be an increase in crime and motor vehicle accidents due to the fact that a much larger number of people would be drug users and many of these recreational drug significantly alter a persons judgment and some can also have hallucinogenic effects. Personally, I cannot think of any positives of legalizing recreational drugs in America. As for gambling, I do believe that it should be legalized. In my opinion a large part of the reason for which gambling is illegal is so that the government can keep track and tax and and all income an individual were to take in. Legalizing gambling doesn’t hurt anyone but rather puts one less hand in the pocket of the American citizen and thus forces thee government to cut back or recoup that revenue elsewhere. In the matter of whether or not to legalize prostitution, I believe that the benefits of legalization outweigh the draw backs of doing so. Men and women have one time sexual encounters with each other every day with no exchange of payment. Paying for sex is no different than paying a misuse for a massage. You’re in a secluded area where in most cases...
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...CAN LEGALIZATION OF DRUGS BE A SOLUTION? YES. In order to succeed in today’s drug war, governments should legalize drugs. The Netherlands is one government which is applying legalization procedure properly and which has reduction in drug use. According to Trimbos Institute’s and also some other research, this reduction is mostly in more harmful and more hallucinogenic drugs which are LSD, amphetamine, heroin and reduction percentage is 30% since 1983*. Currently, in the Netherlands there is not much crime because of drugs. The government provides drugs in coffee shops so there is no need for drug wars. Also, there is a reduction in health problems in the Netherlands. So with legalization drug users’ health problems and crime may be reduced. First of all, health problems is the biggest individual issue about drug users. Because without legalization drug users share their needles and inject drug into their bodies on their own in unhealthy conditions. Because they do not have facilities to use drugs professionally in healthy conditions, they should use drugs covertly. When they share their needles they can get contagious illnesses such as AIDS,HIV or when they inject drugs amateurish and they may have many wounds which are susceptible to get infection in unhealthy conditions. According to Kleber and Califano ‘more than one third of new AIDS cases were among injection drug users who shared needles, cookers, cottons, rinse water’* is the biggest issue about health. But for example...
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...Drug Legalization in the United States Kristie Hurley Ashford University Abstract This paper will explore four websites and one online newspaper addressing the subject of drug trafficking in the United States and why legalization is a profitable alternative. The various ways drugs are bought into the country, information on how and why drug trafficking has increased in the United States, statistics on the number of people that are addicts, and the problems related to foreign countries on this issue. The reasons why illicit drugs should be legalized and what the income from the taxation from them could do to better our health care reform and our economy. Keywords: drug trafficking, economy, legalization Drug Legalization in the United States Illegal drugs are exports and deported out if our country everyday by different groups such as high profile criminal gangs or groups such as the cartel. Law enforcement has yet found a suitable way in controlling the war on drugs and have in past years, up until now, have made and passed bills and policies within the government that has made it worse. The legalization of illicit drugs, such as marijuana, would dramatically save, if not make our country more money. The Department of Justice reports the trafficking of drugs has increased in the United States (2012). Criminal groups from other countries, such as Mexican, Cuban, and Asian, including the groups in our country, grow, manufacturer, and distribute marijuana and other...
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...Drug Legalization Drug legalization is an increasingly common topic that’s debated frequently. Drug legalization is not considered a glamorous topic by any means and in fact many prefer to sweep the protruding issues of drug legislation under the rug. In the United States alone since the beginning of the war on drugs in 1972 they’ve increased spending 17,000% from $101,000,000 to $17,400,000,000 in 1999.(McNamara, J. D. (1999)). While many might think that greatly increased spending most have major positive impacts on drug use it’s in fact quite the contrary. Overdoses on heroin have skyrocketed from 2,000 in 2004 to 10,000 in 2014 (Overdose Death Rates((2015). )). Additionally the United States currently has close to 25% of the world's...
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...Betty Waltermire Critical Issue in Criminal Justice JUS-250 April 17, 2014 Legalization of Marijuana the New Drug War Looking back on reading articles and doing major research it was determined that the marijuana/hemp plant has been around since the world began. To track its roots was difficult at best, yet finding evidence as early as 7000 to 8000 years before Christ, when it was accepted that the first woven fabric was obtained from the hemp plant. The marijuana/hemp plant has many uses such as cloth, clothing, rope, incense and food (Guither). Jamestown Colony, Virginia had laws that would require farmers to grow hemp. At Mount Vernon George Washington grew hemp as a primary crop and at Monticello Thomas Jefferson grew hemp as a secondary crop (Guither). This may surprise some that two of our presidents grew marijuana and several presidents have admittedly smoked marijuana. The first laws forbidding marijuana may have been swayed, by Mormons using it. Mormon’s who traveled to Mexico for missionary work in 1910, came back to Salt Lake City with marijuana. The church’s negative response to the marijuana may have contributed somewhat to the state’s marijuana laws (Guither). Marijuana has been peddled as one of the safest recreational and medicinal drugs available. Scientific studies support the conclusion that cocaine, heroin, alcohol and cigarettes are more dangerous to the user’s health than marijuana...
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...Betty Waltermire Critical Issue in Criminal Justice JUS-250 April 17, 2014 Michael Strauch Legalization of Marijuana the New Drug War Looking back on reading articles and doing major research it was determined that the marijuana/hemp plant has been around since the world began. To track its roots was difficult at best, yet finding evidence as early as 7000 to 8000 years before Christ, when it was accepted that the first woven fabric was obtained from the hemp plant. The marijuana/hemp plant has many uses such as cloth, clothing, rope, incense and food (Guither). Jamestown Colony, Virginia had laws that would require farmers to grow hemp. At Mount Vernon George Washington grew hemp as a primary crop and at Monticello Thomas Jefferson grew hemp as a secondary crop (Guither). This may surprise some that two of our presidents grew marijuana and several presidents have admittedly smoked marijuana. The first laws forbidding marijuana may have been swayed, by Mormons using it. Mormon’s who traveled to Mexico for missionary work in 1910, came back to Salt Lake City with marijuana. The church’s negative response to the marijuana may have contributed somewhat to the state’s marijuana laws (Guither). Marijuana has been peddled as one of the safest recreational and medicinal drugs available. Scientific studies support the conclusion that cocaine, heroin, alcohol and cigarettes are more dangerous to the user’s health than marijuana. Marijuana has proven itself to be a true medicine...
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...I do not believe in the legalization of drugs for several reasons. In my opinion, legalizing any type of drug will be sending the wrong message to the world. People would be greatly influenced to use these drugs if they know there is no legal action that could be taken against them. Crime rates will increase because some of these drugs are expensive to buy. Due to the dependency of drugs, if it easily accessible, more people with start committing crimes to obtain them. An avid user or a regular person can be overtaken by the drug and its dependency and do whatever it takes to get their hands on them. Also, in today's society, there is a struggle on preventing people from getting addicted to prescription drugs. These drugs can cause effects...
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...There is always a great debate, for many years, on if marijuana should be legalized for all purposes, to include medical and recreational. The question should lie as to what is the actual harm that comes from making the drug legal. Why not legalize the drug and place a tax, just like the tax occurred on tobacco. In the 1890’s, marijuana/hemp was replacing the cotton plantations and it was a major cash crop in the southern states. The product was being placed in some prescriptions; it was even listed on the United States Pharmacopeia from 1850 until 1942. During this time, using marijuana for recreational use was not illegal. In the 1950s it was an accessory of the beat generation; in the 1960s it was used by college students and "hippies" and became a symbol of rebellion against authority. It was being used by musicians and the people in show business. During this time clubs were opening in most major cities and these were tolerated by the community because the patrons did not disrupt after using the drug. The government has tried to use criminal penalties to prevent marijuana use for over 75 years and still to this day marijuana is now used by over 25 million people annually. Now that Colorado and Washington have legalized use and possession of marijuana and 20 states have legalized its medical uses, many people, including virtually everyone who has studied the matter, hope that other states will also legalize and ultimately force the federal government to repeal...
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...Schedule I drug by the US government. A Schedule I drug, has no medical benefits, known to have high a potential for abuse, and is declared not safe even with medical supervision. How can that be you ask, when many studies have shown the benefits of the use of marijuana for certain medical conditions. It is prohibition at its finest, serves no purpose and is a violation of our rights of liberty, due to the misrepresentation of marijuana. The legalization of marijuana has many benefits with increase revenue for the state, enormous medical benefits, and a significant decrease in violent crime and gang activity. A study done in 2010, by Cato, legalizing marijuana would generate over $8 billion in federal and state revenue annually. (HuffingtonPost, 2013) The cost of keeping marijuana illegal to this day is astronomical. “In 2012, Colorado voters approved Amendment 64, which legalized marijuana for full recreational use. The state now stands to raise hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes over the next decade.” The largest boost of revenue from the sale of marijuana comes from taxes. In 2014, Colorado, had a vast number of pot tourists visit the state and bring in over $10 billion in funds, even with the increased snow activity that would normally lower their tourism. Another benefit that comes with the legalization of marijuana is the money saved from unnecessary use of law enforcement and the prosecution of marijuana related offenses. Also, with the legalization of marijuana...
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...The Great Marijuana Debate Cory Williamson Keri Keith University Composition and Communication 2 May 08, 2014 The Great Marijuana Debate A question that has been asked over decades is “What should the US do about marijuana?” Recently Colorado voted for the legalization of recreational marijuana, and according to the New York Times article by Rick Lyman (2-26-14), the state is bringing in more money than expected. There are Arguments for and against the legalization of marijuana. Some of the arguments for legalization are the medical benefits, high taxation dollars, and the creation of new jobs. Those who oppose the legalization of marijuana cite a higher crime rate, consequences of smoking to both the user and the family, and more people becoming addicted. The medical advantages of marijuana are well documented, but many people prefer to keep it illegal; however, economic possibilities compared to criminal consequences show the benefits of legalization. “Something that cannot be argued is the stimulation that selling and taxing marijuana would provide to both the state and national economies,” according to Rick Lyman. Colorado governor John Hickenlooper, in a CNN.com interview with Evan Perez (2-17-14), said that marijuana shops opened in Colorado and the revenue from sales alone was over one million dollars. Colorado also has a 12.9 percent tax rate statewide on regulated recreational marijuana. Using those statistics, the predicted sales and tax...
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...Legalization of Cannabis Amanda Philmon Com 156 October 09, 2011 Diana Marquez Legalization of Cannabis The controversial issue of legalizing cannabis is a topic worth discussing. Let’s look at each aspect of health risks and benefits to the legalization of cannabis. Legalizing cannabis could have a positive effect on the crime rate in America as the statistics will show this. The most beneficial part of legalizing cannabis will be the economic gains that will come from legalizing marijuana. While there are some health risks associated to the legalization of cannabis the benefits of a decrease in crime and increases in the economy greatly out weigh the cons to legalizing cannabis. There are many health benefits and risks to the legalizations of cannabis. Cannabis is used to treat patients who have pain associated with certain diseases like human immunodeficiency virus. The pain that these patients endure is called neuropathic pain. In a study done by “Dr. Ellis and colleagues found that 46 percent of patients administered medical marijuana experienced at least a 30 percent reduction in pain” (Uddin, 04/11). Having a pain reduction without having to take a pill is a plus as there are many side effects that go along with some pain pills. Another benefit to the use of cannabis is an increase in appetite. This is very important in patients undergoing cancer treatment. “Medicinal marijuana can signal a food craving within a patient's body, encouraging...
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...figure does not include additional taxation which could be applied to activities or jobs within the agricultural, marketing, and retailing sectors that would be generated if marijuana where to be legalized. Although legalization of marijuana may produce more jobs, stimulate the economy, and possibly reduce the majority of crime produced by the illegal distribution of marijuana. I still disagree with the idea and choose to rebuttal this article for the lack of reliability, validity of data used, and the faulty comparison that was displayed in this article. First off, TIME magazine is a well-known newsmagazine that has been publishing articles on politics, world issues, and business related topics since March 3, 1923 (TIME magazine, 2012). They are also partners with Cable News Network (CNN) which is a respected news source. Both of these factors are enough to convince the majority of individuals to think they are reliable sources when reading information regarding certain topics. For the most part they are, unfortunately I found a correction noted on the bottom of this article which causes me to think otherwise. The correction states “ The original version of this article misstated a statistic concerning policing in the U.S. Marijuana accounts for 47% of all drug arrests, not all arrests” (TIME magazine, 2009). In most cases I would give TIME magazine the benefit of the doubt and accept that the mistake as a simple mistake or typing error. However, since this article involves...
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