...Why Marijuana Should Be Legalized Most people believe that drugs such as marijuana, molly and cocaine should be illegal. They say that these drugs are dangerous and that people should not use them. However, we have to keep in mind that people have every right to do what they want to their own body. Of course, by people it is inferred that we mean adults. Children cannot be permitted to use drugs because they lack the ability to fully understand the consequences of drug use. Adults have the capacity to understand the consequences for their actions. It is not illegal to make mistakes or have poor self-regard. If a mentally competent adult wants to use drugs he or she has every right to do so. In the article from the USA Today, “Don’t legalize pot just for the high of it,” the author makes a bold stand against the legalization of marijuana. The article states that it is to high risk to legalize marijuana and should remain illegal. “Modern marijuana can be very powerful, potent enough to make it dangerous to drive or operate other machinery under the influence (Editorial, 2012)”. Last time I checked driving under the influence of any kind of drug poses a risk. People drive while under the influence of prescription medications all of the time. The article states that marijuana is very potent. Legalizing marijuana would provide a higher level of regulation of the farming of the product. The government will have control over its potency. Because the government is regulating it the...
Words: 656 - Pages: 3
...of marijuana is illegal in many countries. However its decriminalization has become one of the most acute for the last 10 years. Specialists if different areas call to revise old norms and legalize possession and cultivation of marijuana. I examined historical, medical, social and financial aspects of the problem and received evidence that legalization is possible and even necessary in today’s world of free morality. It is obvious that the advantages of legal marijuana overweight its harm. 1. The short story of marijuana prohibition Since early times people cultivated marijuana, or cannabis, or hemp, and used it for food. The fiber of young plants was the good raw material for clothes and paper. Cannabis also has a long history of medicinal usage, with evidence dating back to 4,000 B.C. In 19th century tincture of cannabis was the popular medicine. After the prohibition of alcohol beverages in 1919 young people in the USA began to smoke marijuana instead of liquor. In 1937 Harry J. Anslinger, the first Commissioner of the Treasury Department's Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN), inspired the “Marihuana Tax Act”. This act made possession or transfer of hemp illegal. At the USA hemp could be used for medical and industrial purposes only. However some critics noticed that Anslinger’s activity was supported by paper and plastic manufacturers who wanted to exclude hemp from the market. It is interesting, that due to Anslinger’s campaign many people believed that marijuana and...
Words: 2615 - Pages: 11
...Could legalization of marijuana pave the way to a modern and less violent society ? Plan : 1) Proposition California ( modern or chaotic state ? 2) The debate : fear or hope. 3) The arguments in favour : Financial, Mexicant cartels (tempered by BRAND study) ( it’s a good start. 4) The argument oppos : the raising of consumers and the consequence on heath. 5) The portuguese exemple tempered by the differences between the countries. 6) The conservative views : an break to mernisation, the exemple of prohibtion in the thirties al Capone. 7) Let’s be modern ! 1) Next month, a proposition which legalises marijuana will be voted in the state of california. According to the polls proposition 19 has a big shot of becoming a state law, making California the first amercian state to legalize marijuana. The proposition stipulates that adults could grow own and consume a little bit of marijuana for personal pleasure. If adopted, will this law make California a modern state or a chaotic one ? Those two perspectives are on one hand a hope for the majority and a fear for the others. The debate opposing those in favour of leagalising marijuana and those against is old. In 1972 more than 30 years ago, the opponents would have won at a rate of 2 against one, now we’re facing the oposite. But this fact isn’t a revolution. It’s more likely to be the result of an evolution of minds : Indeed in 1997 a big step was made towards legalization :...
Words: 971 - Pages: 4
...Recreational Drugs Tiwander Aleck COMM/156 March 4, 2012 Instructor: Cheryl Mason Recreational Drugs We are risking our lives without knowing it! Any substance with pharmacologic effects used for satisfaction or personal pleasure rather than for medicinal purposes, is called recreational drug use. Examine this, individuals young and old have answered the question whether, recreation drugs are good for you. They have answered this question by suffering the consequences of misusing recreational drug. Society needs to be aware that recreational drugs such as Cocaine, Alcohol, and marijuana have contributed to health problems, criminal activity and addiction. Awareness of the effects of these drugs, without a doubt needs to be addressed in the United States, to help lower the negative statistics recreational drugs have caused, which will give individuals a chance before they decide to participate or misuse recreational drugs. Alcohol is one of the most used recreational drugs today. Alcohol can cause a variety of feelings such as relaxation, happiness, drunkenness and sleepiness. Any consumption of alcohol goes directly into the bloodstream and physically affects are body and mind. Alcohol is mainly used for sociability; it is very common for binge drinkers to abuse alcohol, and result with the disease of alcoholism. It is estimated by (National Institution of Justice U.S. Department of Justice, 2007) that more than half the people that...
Words: 1480 - Pages: 6
...Legalization of Marijuana Maurice Gonzalez PHI103: Informal Logic Instructor Craig Thompson 8/7/15 Marijuana is dried leaves, flowers stems, and seeds that comes from a hemp plant called Cannabis sativa. It contains a chemical called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that affects the brain system. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States (SAMHSA, 2014). People smoke marijuana in many different ways. Some method of choice are in hand rolled cigarettes referred to as Joints, water or non-water pipes known as Bongs or emptied cigars known as Blunts. People also bake Marijuana in sweets such as cookies candies and cakes. When an individual smokes marijuana short term the toxic chemicals immediately rushes from the lungs and into the blood stream. The blood steam immediately distributes the chemical to the brain and the rest of the organs in the body. The parts of the brain containing the highest amount of receptors are affected by THC that involves altered senses, sense of time, mood change, impaired body movement, memory, difficulty thinking, and solving problems. Long term use also affects brain development. For example if a teenager use the drug it can negatively affect the building of the brains connections between spaces needed for thinking memory, and learning. These affects could last a long time or perhaps may become permanent depending on the body. For example, a study showed that people who started smoking marijuana heavily in their...
Words: 640 - Pages: 3
...Recreational Drugs We are risking our lives without knowing it! Any substance with pharmacologic effects used for satisfaction or personal pleasure rather than for medicinal purposes, is called recreational drug use. Examine this, individuals young and old have answered the question whether, recreation drugs are good for you. They have answered this question by suffering the consequences of misusing recreational drug. Society needs to be aware that recreational drugs such as Cocaine, Alcohol, and marijuana have contributed to health problems, criminal activity and addiction. Awareness of the effects of these drugs, without a doubt needs to be addressed in the United States, to help lower the negative statistics recreational drugs have caused, which will give individuals a chance before they decide to participate or misuse recreational drugs. Alcohol is one of the most used recreational drugs today. Alcohol can cause a variety of feelings such as relaxation, happiness, drunkenness and sleepiness. Any consumption of alcohol goes directly into the bloodstream and physically affects are body and mind. Alcohol is mainly used for sociability; it is very common for binge drinkers to abuse alcohol, and result with the disease of alcoholism. It is estimated by (National Institution of Justice U.S. Department of Justice, 2007) that more than half the people that are arrested in the U.S. test positive for alcohol. When alcohol is misused, it can lead to addiction. When an individual...
Words: 1466 - Pages: 6
...Legalization of Marijuana Name: Institutional Affiliation: Marijuana is one of the many names that are used to refer to Cannabis in different parts of the world. The drug is well known in cultures all around the globe and any topic that is tied to it generates intense reactions that are aligned in different directions. The conversation on the legal status of the use of Marijuana is always heated, with supporters and opponents all convinced that they are right (Hudak & Wallack, 2016). However, this essay analyzes this issue since it is one that cannot be ignored. Even the opponents must agree to consider what legalization of cannabis achieves, given that public support for it is only growing. It also seeks to lay out the negative implications of the legalization and finally balances them off against the benefits and makes its conclusions based thereon. Proponents argue that marijuana has been proved to have the ability to influence life positively. This is best captured by the medical use of marijuana in treating diseases. The drug has been proven to have palliative qualities and it has been accepted as a palliative agent in civilizations such as Canada on prescription. Additionally, opinion polls discovered that more than half of the American population would vote in support of using the drug for recreational purposes among adults (Ghosh, 2010). It would be imprudent to ignore the opinions of such a big proportion of the population for political leaders. The widespread...
Words: 818 - Pages: 4
...Introduction: Drug abuse has always been a very delicate question as it always it deals with the health, well-being and even lives of human beings belonging to any country. The position of the United States of America towards drugs has always been very clear and distinctively negative. Throughout the history of the country there were numerous cases against drug dealers, buyers and many more. These cases did always catch the attention of civil people who by showing interest in such cases revealed their worries about the future of their own children that one-day might face this problem, too. As time goes by it get even more clear that people need to feel protection from the side of law-enforcement establishments such as police. Drugs may destroy the life of a person, therefore while fighting with drug dealers and buyers cooperatives no other interest rather than removing this “elements” from the society should be taken into account. The case, which is known as “United States v. Oakland Cannabis Buyers’ Cooperative” did more than just catch the attention of people. Million of people followed the case from its very beginning and did have certain expectations concerning the outcome of the case. The specifics of the case made people have twofold points of view when analyzing the solution that was delivered by Justice Clarence Thomas concerning the case. Nevertheless, to understand the solution it is necessary to examine the case deeper and only then decide whether the Court’s decision...
Words: 1627 - Pages: 7
...Medical Marijuana in the workforce with a Medical marijuana card Student’s Name: Institutional Affiliation: University: Medical Marijuana in the workforce with a Medical marijuana card Medical marijuana use has caused a lot of confusion in many corporate organizations. The use of marijuana as a prescription painkiller has been legalized in many states in the USA and other countries. This leaves employers with an issue to solve because many work places have drug policies that forbid the use of drugs at work. On the other hand employees have a medical marijuana card that gives them patient’s rights to use marijuana. Human resource officers grapple with the question of whether to allow employees with medical marijuana cards the use of medical marijuana. The use of medical marijuana has been a controversial issue. The research is necessitated by the debate about the employee’s right to use medical marijuana at work place. Many companies are required by law to terminate or put employees who test positive for THC on treatment. This creates legal and ethical problems in making choices. This is because the government wants to promote a drug free work place while state laws permit the use of medical marijuana. The law prohibits the use of medical marijuana for workers in the transportation sector which require high security like pilots, school drivers, track drivers and armed transit security officers even where the use is legally allowed. In other jobs the law allows the use...
Words: 635 - Pages: 3
...Marijuana versus America Sarah Marcum COM/156 8/7/2011 Crystal Darby Marijuana versus America Cannabis, or marijuana as it is more commonly known, is a substance that can provide many benefits to consumers as well as the economy. The United States should approve the legalization of marijuana so that Americans can reap these benefits. Marijuana, when used as an inhaled substance, has less intense effects than other illegal drugs, even though it is often judged as an equally dangerous substance as other inhalants. The United States could also benefit financially from legalizing marijuana through decreased prison costs, increased tax revenue, and product manufacturing. Finally, marijuana has provided relief in various forms to many people suffering from illnesses such as glaucoma and cancer. This will show that the United States should legalize marijuana because of the less severe effects than other drugs, the financial...
Words: 1563 - Pages: 7
...In today’s society, this 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...
Words: 4013 - Pages: 17
...ITT-Tech The topic of legalizing marijuana has become a very hot topic here in the Unites States of America. With sixteen states having medical marijuana laws already in place and seventeen states with pending legalization legislation (http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=002481); many communities are split on the issue due to misinformation and stigmas. Even though marijuana is stigmatized as a gateway drug that leads children to harder drugs, marijuana should be legalized for medicinal use because it is incredibly expensive to keep marijuana illegal and adults deserve freedom to use marijuana as medicine without having to deal with the criminal element or fear of being unjustly prosecuted. The gateway effect states that marijuana acts as a stepping stone, or a gateway, that leads people to harder drugs. They support their argument with statistics that show that most people who use hard drugs have tried marijuana before (http://www.mjlegal.org/gateway.html). What though is the gateway theory? Is it based on facts brought to light by years of scientific study? No, in fact the gateway theory does not explain anything at all. It is simply an observation that has been vague at best and dispersed by media outlets and the governing body. It is true that many people that use hard drugs such as heroin, cocaine, or LSD did in fact use marijuana before they tried the harder drugs. The true reason for this is marijuana is much more accessible due to its popularity...
Words: 2179 - Pages: 9
...Instructor McCray English 105 December 2, 2010 Legalization of Marijuana Marijuana has had a very long and tried history in the world. The earliest known uses of marijuana go back as far as four thousand years ago. The plant has always been smoked; certain cultures use everything associated with the plant to produce certain products. The seeds can be used as a healthy substitute for certain foods; they are packed with protein and essential fatty acids. The stalk from hemp can be used in the creation over twenty thousand different products, including much cheaper oil and paper. Popular mechanics coined marijuana as the “New Billion Dollar Crop” back in 1938, and a couple of years after that it was used in the efforts against Hitler. But marijuana in American history has had a short timeframe, first banned in 1937 and then allowed again but only to be banned after WWII. Marijuana has been a tax issue for the American for the past hundred years; prohibition has done the exact opposite of what it set out to do. America should have known prohibition wouldn’t work, it didn’t work against alcohol, and instead it led to the creation of organized crime and production of more alcohol than ever before. There were more speakeasies or bars open during the days of prohibition, then there are currently open in America today, and our population is nearly triple of what it was back then. Why prohibition of marijuana has lasted this long is unknown by most people, other than the government...
Words: 2380 - Pages: 10
...words by famous musician Jello Biafra may sound prejudiced, but it is the truth we all live and have lived by since the prohibition era. The war on drugs has become a significant issue in today’s society, but people are not completely sure why the war on drugs has failed. In reference to Jello Biafra, the war on drugs is a type of a prohibition, but the real question is how big of an underground has this war created that it has ultimately failed. The start of the war on drugs can officially be dated as far back as 1971 when Richard Nixon declared drug abuse as “public enemy number one”, and he increased the size and presence of federal drug control agencies (Drug Policy Alliance, 2014). Later, during Ronald Reagan’s presidency, the number of people incarcerated for drug abuse shot up sky high due to his zero tolerance policy, and the unpredicted rise of illicit drug use. When we say the war on drugs has failed, we usually consider that the use of illicit drugs could not be reduced and is on the rise. However, it is also because it is costing more and more lives every day in addition to all the resources used coming out of the taxpayers’ pockets. In short, the war on drugs has failed because the government enforced punishment instead of prevention, which led to creating a black market that increased crime and corruption, resulting in loss of resources and a worse economy. First, since the beginning of this drug war, the government has been focused on enforcing tough punishments...
Words: 1553 - Pages: 7
...Eric Purdie University of Phoenix CRT/205 CRITICAL THINKING August 5, 2012 1. What is the issue? Gay marriage should not be legal. 2. What are the stated and unstated premises? Legalizing same sex would harm the economy, and nothing good could come for it. 3. What was the conclusion? Some children would grow up fatherless and the birth rate would fall. I choose this topic because am not fully against same sex marriage. I believe anyone that wants to spend the rest of their life with someone; it is not society place to say it must be someone from the opposite sex. Gay people have been thought a struggle to receive the same right as all America’s. Discrimination in the workplace, being stereotype in public or in their community. I do not believe people are just become Gay. They were always Gay that why they say “I’m coming out”. However if a person is Gay and want to get married it is there life. But they should not except to get married in a church, where marriage is between men a woman. That is forcing there believe on anyone else. Most religion groups believe is you are Gay, and then you have an evil spirit and you will go to hell unless you repent. I do not share the share point of view; however I do believe that as long as you repent for any sins God will forgive you no matter what. Churches and religion figures through the beginning of time have change things to fix their them and not for the greater good. Gay people are some of the most nice, clean...
Words: 940 - Pages: 4
