...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 for a large number of diseases...
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...The opinion of Marijuana during the 70’s was much more definitive than it is today. Approval of Marijuana by 27 states, new medical studies, and its consequences on those convicted from use of the most common illicit drug in the world, is forcing the United States of America to rethink its stance on the matter. In general, the underlying argument about Marijuana in this country is: should Marijuana continue to be prohibited to citizens based on its health effects, medicinal values, and costs to the country? The reasons why this argument is so important are great. As previously stated, Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in the world, and with millions of people using it regularly and almost 100 million that have ever used it in this country, the laws behind this drug hold great influence. It is because of this and the immergence of new evidence, that the justification behind prohibition of this drug is being rethought scientifically, socially, and economically. The use of Marijuana as both medicine and a recreational drug is being thoroughly questioned in the US. 27 states have Marijuana approved in some form, many of those for medical purposes however those users can still, and do get placed into prison by federal law. Currently, 830,00 people a year are in trouble with the law in regards to Marijuana and numbers seem to be on an uphill trend . Furthermore, the US invests 30 billion a year into the drug war, half of which is dedicated to Marijuana. Many are questioning...
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...views today on Marijuana are not the same as the views in the 70’s.Due to the approval of 27 states, medical studies, and cost of consequences on those convicted from use of the most common illicit drug in the world, the United States of America has began to rethink its stance on the matter. The question of this country seems to be the underlying argument about Marijuana in this country is: should Marijuana continue to be prohibited to citizens based on its health effects, medicinal values, and costs to the country? This argument seems to be a great topic in the U.S. Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug, not only in the United States, but the world, and because of this the laws connected with this drug hold great influence. It is because of this and the immergence of new evidence, that the justification behind prohibition of this drug is being rethought scientifically, socially, and economically. Twenty seven states have approved the use of marijuana for medical purposes, but the users can be prosecuted, and placed into prison according to federal law. I cannot began to understand this, but currently, 830,000 people a year are in trouble with the law in regards to Marijuana (Business Insider, 2012) and numbers seem to be on an uphill trend . The money tax payers are paying for the war on marijuana places a dent in our society. This money could be used for many other things such as education, care for elderly, and funding for U.S. soldiers. Marijuana comes from...
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...Legalizing Marijuana What do George Washington, Ted Turner, Michael Bloomberg, Barack Obama, Michael Phelps, and Carl Sagen all have in common? All have either admitted to growing, and or smoking marijuana. Peculiar, to say the least, all of these extremely influential people would be prosecuted and possibly arrested had they had been caught partaking in these illegal acts. If one were to go back to the time of George Washington’s presidency and take a glimpse at the first president’s garden they would be shocked to see that the leader of the American Revolutionary War Army grew marijuana. The growth of cannabis in today’s world carries quite a hazy perception. Most people would be shocked at the thought of someone; much less the president was growing marijuana. It is in this perception in which the problem stems, why be shocked? Why think less of person? Why even consider Marijuana to be this life-threatening, lazy causing, brain cell killer, schedule one drug? Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in America today. It is estimated that one hundred million people have admitted to smoking marijuana. However the winds of reform and legalization have begun to sweep this nation. Americans, now more than ever, are advocating the legalization of marijuana, as seen recently by two states legalizing the plant for recreational use. I, for one, am a strong advocate for the recreational use and legalization of marijuana in the United States. I have found that to understand...
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...Marijuana Legalization: The War on Drugs and Criminal Law Howard R. Burke Strayer University Abstract This research will point out that the United States’ current policy on drug prohibition, the so called “War on Drugs,” is ineffective. The current draconian prohibition policies against drug consumption may actually increase their use. As well, contrary to claims made by current drug policy supporters, increased drug enforcement can reduce public safety and compound the individual and social costs of drug use. The U.S. drug policy, born over a hundred years ago, has gone through several transformations becoming more voracious with each new invocation. The War on Drugs is an expensive and failed concept which has incorporated racism in its administration, increased crime rates, imposed harsh sentences for nonviolent offenses, facilitated police corruption and aggressively eroded civil liberties. Table of Contents INTRODUCTION Introduction to the Problem Background of the Study Statement of the Problem Purpose of the Research Research Questions Significance of the Research Assumptions and Limitations Organization of the Remainder of the Study LITERATURE REVIEW CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Marijuana Legalization: The War on Drugs and Criminal Law INTRODUCTION The United States has conducted a long experiment of drug prohibition. The prohibition of marijuana and other illicit drugs has only...
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...statement still applies in reference to the illegal use of marijuana. Marijuana prohibition causes far more harm than marijuana itself. Keeping marijuana illegal, is expensive and causes crime. Out of four possible connections between drugs and crime, at least three would not exist if drug prohibition laws were repealed. First, crimes, which occur billions of times a year, are producing, selling, buying, and consuming strictly controlled and banned substances. If drug prohibition laws were repealed, these activities would obviously cease to be crimes. Next, many users commit crimes, such as robbery, dealing, prostitution, and running numbers to earn money to support their habits. If marijuana was less expensive and easier to obtain, which would be the case if it were legalized, the crimes committed under these circumstances would dramatically decline. The third drug-crime link is drug trafficking. Without prohibition laws, those people trying to make a living by selling and distribution would not be thrown in jail. Support for legalizing marijuana is at its highest level in 30 years (USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll). Since 1996, voters in eight states have passed initiatives supporting marijuana for medical purposes at least. Polls show more than 70% of voters support medical marijuana. Polls in Canada and England show half the population now supports legalization. The USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll found support for legalization “highest among 18 to 49 year olds, people in the West, and...
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...Legalize Marijuana? In most countries, possession and use of marijuana, also commonly known as cannabis is considered legal, even in some states in United States. In fact, it can be noted that for many years, cannabis has been considered an illegal drug in most countries. Nevertheless, today, some countries have legalized cannabis while other countries have not. In particular, small quantities of cannabis have been allowed in regions such as Europe, North America and South America and the United States, where some states such as California, Washington and Colorado have legalized the possession and usage of marijuana for medical purposes. Federal government should legalize marijuana due to benefits toward patient health care, government tax subsidy and reduction in drug wars can strongly favorize the legalization of marijuana. Opponents of marijuana legalization, support their beliefs by using objections such as marijuana is not a proper medical treatment. They believe marijuana can be as efficient as any other painkiller or other drugs that mimic similar results. Opposers also claim that by legalizing marijuana will allow more people to abuse this drug. Primarily, cannabis should be legalized since it is used for medical purpose. Marijuana can offer individuals a higher standard of living. For example, Sativex is a recent drug that contains a major active ingredient derived from cannabis and it has been discovered to cure Multiple Sclerosis (Kmietowicz 89). The drug has...
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...Legalizing Marijuana Introduction The battle against illegal drugs is one of the most costly wars a country can venture on. This is because, apart from costs associated with the venture; when it comes to arrests, the prosecution process, and prison costs, the war denies a country’s medical sector a chance of exploiting the medicinal part of some illegalized drugs for example, marijuana. In addition, considering the amount of revenue, which a country can gain via taxes, the war has many associated losses than gains. Although this is the case, it is important to note that, to some extent, prohibition of illegal drug use has many associated benefits; considering the effects of some drugs on individuals. However, it is important to remember that, the use or selling of some illegal drugs for example, marijuana has many benefits than negative effects, a fact that makes it necessary for governments to legalize its use. Background information Marijuana is one of the mostly commonly used illegal drugs in the American continent. From statistics, more than sixty five million Americans at some point in their lives have used the drug, a factor many attribute to its mild effects on users. Although this is the case, the use of such a drug is a criminal offense, which is prosecutable in a court of law. It is necessary to note that, such prohibitions have not limited its wide use among the American citizenry, a fact that many associate with its medicinal importance...
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...12/2/2012 The Legalization of Marijuana in America ID: 1175376 Introduction After the recent 2012 United States Presidential Election, whereupon Colorado and Washington passed the policy to legalize marijuana for “adult purposes,” government officials faced conflict as to whether to legalize the drug on a federal level or not (Smith 1). There is a battle between the Supreme Court and federal government regarding enforcement as state law allows production and consumption of the drug while the federal law prohibits such activities. When a state officer finds marijuana on the persons of a Colorado resident, there is no charge; however, when a federal officer finds marijuana on the persons of a Colorado resident the extent of the penalty could be arrest and incarceration. Due to conflicting enforcement policies, America is forced to examine the issue and come to a consensus between the policies to ensure homogeneity between the two lawmaking bodies. One means of analyzing the issue is through an economic perspective. As economics is the study of “how society manages its scarce resources” and the manner in which a society makes decisions, the economics behind a controversial policy can help determine acceptance or rejection of the proposed law (Mankiw 1-1). Based on fundamental economic concepts, historical evidence, global data, and future forecasts, the effects of legalizing marijuana will be analyzed. After analyzing the economics of the legalization, a decision can be...
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...Legalizing Marijuana makes Pennsylvanians Rich Introduction Growing up on the gritty streets of West Philadelphia I was exposed to many drugs. From an early age I can remember seeing guys hang out on the corner. It wasn’t until I became a preteen that I realized that these young men weren’t just “hanging out”. They were actually hustling and making drug transactions. In high school I was offered my joint. Scared of my parents finding out and remembering the negative effects of drugs that I learned about in school forced me to decline. Many of my peers were not as strong and fell into peer pressure. The smell of marijuana on the way to school became a familiar scent. As I got older and began to explore the City of Brotherly Love I learned that Philly is drug infested. I’ve met a lot of good people who have fallen into addiction. Their drug usage impedes their everyday life. I have a friend who I went to high school with. My friend was a top athlete and scholar. After a terrible car accident he developed an addiction to prescription pain killers. He ran from doctor to doctor trying to keep his fix alive. The process lingered on for a couple years, One day I asked him why he didn’t get help or try to stop. His main argument was that he wasn’t doing anything illegal like crack or heroine, so he didn’t think he had a problem. His argument got me thinking about the government and how they dictate what medications are okay and not okay for people...
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....“ Legalizations of Marijuana While being interview by a reporter from the New York Times Obama was quoted as saying (Seelye, 2006) “When I was a kid, I inhaled, that was the point.” As referring to when he was a young man that he had inhaled marijuana. And he became the Presidential of the United Stated. In many ways, it’s the way that some people in society has demonized the use of marijuana it, (Scheer, 1999) Eight million American have tried marijuana and report have shown that there is no proclivity to move on to harder drugs. This accorded to an 18 month study commissioned by the federal drug czar Barry R McCaffrey. We will look at the several economy impacts of decriminalizing or legalizations of marijuana. (Brown 2003) One why to assist the farmer's domestically grown marijuana is the second largest cash crop in the United States, behind only corn. The above references are from people that have no finance gain in the legalization of marijuana and the other one is the Presidential and he would not lie. (Schlosser 1998) States According to the detail of the show the numbers of people in Jail for marijuana arrest are one in every six. There are more people now in prison for marijuana offenses than for violent offenses. There are 1.1 million inmates in American prisons. And if 1 in every 6 is held because of marijuana arrests that make it about 180.000 in jail. And certainly, at a time when there's a shortage of prison space and when murderers are serving on average...
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...National Legalization of Marijuana William Pollard ECPI University National Legalization of Marijuana The United States of America (U.S.A) has a trillion-dollar deficit. They are consistently looking for ways to lower the amount of the deficit. Most Americans pay an additional tax on certain commodities, alcohol, and tobacco, commonly referred to as the sin tax. The nationwide legalization of marijuana for the tax revenue that the sale of marijuana will generate specifically earmarked for the reduction of the deficit, will be beneficial for the U.S.A. While the current population of the U.S.A. is 313.9 Million according to United States Census Bureau, and the World Bank (2012). Fifty percent of Americans, 156.95 Million, support legalization of marijuana. These numbers demand drug reform in this country. Half of the drug arrests, 850,000 Americans, where arrested in 2010. Eighty eight percent, 748,000 of those arrests were for marijuana possession alone. The current criminalization of marijuana undercuts future economic development. Incarceration reduces former inmates’ earnings by forty percent, devastating families and communities. Former users with an arrest record for possession of marijuana should not be prevented from obtaining employment, or from accessing social benefits. (Huffingtonpost.com 2014) Decriminalization of marijuana will allow for future economic development, and increase the tax base to further pay down the trillion-dollar deficit. Marijuana should...
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...Marijuana Legalization: Pros and Cons BCOM/275 October 31 2011 The debate over the legalization of marijuana is a highly talked about and popular subject. Although we have been taught that marijuana is a gateway drug to other more harmful and toxic drugs; studies have shown that legalizing marijuana could bring more good then harm. We want to believe that the outcome will be better, but will it? As much as the public would love for this drug to be legal and available for consumption many Americans believe that it should still be considered a dangerous drug. Its hard to convince the public unless you provide proof and facts but, really only the individual can make up there own opinion. Marijuana Legalization: Pros and Cons Marijuana has been around for years and is the most commonly used illicit drug. Marijuana was legal in the United States up until 1937 but was rarely enforced until the 90’s. In the 1970’s the war on drugs campaign initiated. This campaign was designed to prevent new users from using this drug. Most of the advertisements the government established were based on false facts and biased opinions to lower the drug use in America. But, is marijuana bad? Marijuana has been proven to have medical benefits and will be a great way to boost the economy. In the 70’s when the government conducted multiple tests on marijuana the assumption was that this was a harmful substance that can cause loss of brain cells, infertility, and even death...
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...Legalization of Marijuana Tina Washington Everest University March 3, 2015 Abstract The prohibition of marijuana has brought forth multiple passionate debates for many years in reference to its effects on the human body, its medicinal properties, and its effect on society. Even though there are many people who are opposed to the legalization of marijuana, this paper will dispute that the legalization of marijuana is justified. This paper will provide proof by measuring marijuana’s effects on the human body when ingested by inhalation against the effects on the body when consuming alcoholic beverages and smoking tobacco, by submitting research facts on its medicinal qualities, and providing you with information on how the use of marijuana can benefit a lot of people as well as our nation as a whole. Legalization of Marijuana Legalization of marijuana is wide spread. There are so many benefits to it such as helping those with medicinal issues like anxiety, AIDS, Cancer, glaucoma, etc. Being able to assist someone without throwing pills down their throat is certainly a better approach. Most people don’t know this, but there are 18 states that have already gotten on the band wagon of legalizing marijuana. Colorado and Washington are the two most recent states that adopted this law. Not only is it a great way to aid in certain medical issues, but it is also a way for the states and our government to generate revenue...
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...Marijuana Legalization in the United States Elisha Havraniak Ottawa University LAS 30012 Writing and Critical Thinking in the Liberal Arts October 11, 2013 Marijuana Legalization in the United States Marijuana has had a long history as an illicit drug, but is quickly becoming a mainstream issue. Some people use marijuana to ease their pain and treat their illnesses. Many others use it because of it mood-altering effects. Laws have been passed to regulate both of these uses of the drug. Those who advocate legalization favor easing or overturning laws against the possession and use of marijuana for recreational purposes, medical use, or both. In general most proposals for legalization fall into one of three categories: decriminalization for recreational use, legalization for recreational use, or legalization for medical use. In opposition to these three choices is the option to keep marijuana illegal for both recreational and medical purposes. The purpose of this paper is to explore the facts, pros and cons, regarding the legalization of marijuana. The information for this paper was obtained from scholarly and peer reviewed journal articles, books, and online sources. The research questions answered are as follows; * Could the legalization of marijuana rescue our struggling economy or could it provide much need relief to the overcrowded prison system? * Will the legalization of marijuana lead to a regulation nightmare…can it even be regulated...
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