There are two key problems associated with the criminalization of marijuana use that I will address in my argument. The first is that we are punishing people for using or being addicted to something that inherently does not harm others. The second is that by punishing these people only more problems arise, for them, for their family, and for all of society.
If helping people overcome and addiction of something bad for themselves is good, and punishing someone for something that out of their control is wrong, then punishing people for an addictive issue is wrong and not helping them overcome their addiction is wrong. Addiction means “the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something thatis psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to …show more content…
The idea is illogical on all levels, it harms the person by ruining job opportunities and the psychological problems associated with being in prison. It harms family, from the pain of watching your brother, sister, mother or father go to prison, as well as the feeling of loss from them not being around. The New York times wrote “A misdemeanor conviction can lead to, among many other things, the revocation of a professional license; the suspension of a driver’s license; the inability to get insurance, a mortgage or other bank loans; the denial of access to public housing; and the loss of student financial aid.” Revocation of a license completely unrelated to drug use, how can this be? License are