...The Blunt Truth Many people wonder what marijuana is and if it should it be legalized. Marijuana comes from the hemp plant, it is the dried leaves of female flowers. Marijuana has been called a gateway drug for years, making many people believe that if they use it they will then become addicted to hard drugs. However, unlike cigarettes that contain tobacco and other illegal drugs such as speed, cocaine, and heroin, marijuana is not addictive. Marijuana is a misunderstood plant that many people assume is dangerous. The usage of marijuana (also known as cannabis) can actually be very beneficial not only to oneself but also to their country. The legalization of marijuana in the United States would benefit the States society economically, socially, and medically. The economic benefits that the legalization of marijuana would bring to the U.S are enormous. Oregon, Colorado, and Washington have already legalized marijuana for both medical and recreational use. When the rest of the U.S legalizes marijuana and places the high tax on it, it will create a larger budget for every state. In the state of Colorado, According to the article Experimenting with Pot: The State of Colorado's Legalization of Marijuana “By regulate marijuana like alcohol the state collect about $134 million in taxes from medical and recreational marijuana sales in fiscal year 2014-2015” HICKENLOOPER, G. W. (2014). If all of the states in the U.S was able to bring in at least that much extra revenue imagine what...
Words: 849 - Pages: 4
...Marijuana, an immense and controversial topic currently being discussed and debated in the United States. The question is, should it be legalized on the Federal level or not? Both the Washington Post and Time Magazine have recently released articles, discussing the political and monetary effects of legalizing the drug. On the monetary side of the debate, within three years of its legalization in Washington State, the price has dropped at a dramatic rate. The price currently has dropped at an impressive 67% since its 2014 debut in July. Based on Steven Davenport’s study, he believes that the prices will continue to drop and highlights the effects of prohibition for drug companies. On the political side of the debate, Time has released an article...
Words: 485 - Pages: 2
...PHY-105 Shelley Evans 05/08/2016 Should Marijuana Be Legal? Marijuana has long been labeled a 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...
Words: 921 - Pages: 4
...2010, para 3). Today, the federal government has declared cannabis of all kinds illegal; however, 18 states have declared it legal for medicinal use only. Studies have been showing the impact legalization has been making on those legalized states, specifically Colorado and California are benefiting from medicinal marijuana by producing jobs, lowering state deficits, and showing a decreased crime rate. These findings offer an idea that the impact of national legalization of medicinal use marijuana may show true benefit to society. Since Marijuana is illegal at a federal level, if one is caught with this drug, it is a crime punishable by prison time. Attorney General Eric Holder made an announcement in October 2009 that the Department of Justice (DOJ) would work with the Non-Enforcement Policy (NEP) by stating they would no longer be enforcing the Federal regulations pertaining to the marijuana ban as long as those users were complying with state medical marijuana laws. This came as a relief to more than 400,000 users and their suppliers allowing them to feel confident and safe in their marijuana use (Mikos, 2011.). In 2007, a study showed individuals in jail from marijuana-related charges cost the United States prisons $1 billion annually (Armentano, 2007). Even if medical use marijuana were to be legalized nationally, does not mean this annual cost would disappear completely. However, the cost could decrease to a more cost effective amount because there would be less people...
Words: 1473 - Pages: 6
...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...
Words: 1569 - Pages: 7
...This analysis will address the issue of the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes. The need for laws to be passed in order to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes, in the state of Ohio changes need to be made to our state laws, protecting individuals from prosecution for the use of medical marijuana. History of medical marijuana 2900 BC – 2013: Marijuana has been used for medicinal purposes as far back as 5000 years ago. It was first documented as being used by the Chinese Emperor Chen Nung for illnesses such as; malaria, constipation, rheumatic pains and female disorders and has over the centuries been used for ailments from treating venereal diseases, depression, glaucoma, inflammation, edema, depression and snake bites. It was in 1611 that the Jamestown settlers first brought the marijuana plant, which was commonly called “hemp” to North America; the hemp fiber was an important export at that time. Marijuana was used throughout North America for many years and was even grown by some of our Presidents such as; George Washington who it is said had an interest in the medical uses of marijuana. It was in 1850 that the United States added marijuana to their Pharmacopeia which at that time was the public authority which set the standards for prescriptions and over the counter medications. Up until the 19th century marijuana had been used all over the world for medicinal purposes. The following are events that led to marijuana being classified as a harmful...
Words: 2124 - Pages: 9
...| Marijuana Legalization: Why Marijuana Should be Legalized in All Fifty States English 102 Final Paper Table of Contents I. Introduction …………………………………………………………………………… 1 II. Is Marijuana a “Gateway Drug?” ……………………………………………………... 2 III. Arguments against Legalization ………………………………………………………. 3 VI. Recent Legalization Efforts …………………………………………………………… 4 V. Medicinal Uses of Marijuana …………………………………………………………. 5 VI. Economic Arguments Against Criminalization ………………………………………. 7 VII. Marijuana Cultivation and DTO ……………………………………………………... 8 VIII. From Decriminalization to Legalization …………………………………………… 8 IX. Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………… 10 Marijuana Legalization: Why Marijuana Should be Legalized in All Fifty States I. Introduction The issue of marijuana legalization in the United States is a charged one that brings forth supporters and opponents arguments alike. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Uniform Crime Reports, one marijuana-related arrest occurs every forty-two seconds in the United States. The government conducted over 1.53 million drug-related arrests in 2011, 90% for possession alone, and nearly 50% due to marijuana (FBI Uniform Crime Report). State governments are currently responding to shifts in public opinion, especially given the recent legalizations that passed in Colorado and Washington. According to Gallup Polls, more Americans supported the legalization of marijuana than not in 2011 (50% vs. 46%)...
Words: 3312 - Pages: 14
...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...
Words: 1762 - Pages: 8
...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...
Words: 3255 - Pages: 14
...Intercultural Communications July 4, 2014 The Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado The three main topics that I plan to cover are the economic benefits, decrease in crime, and medical benefits of legalizing marijuana in Colorado. The legalization of the drug marijuana has been a very hot topic within the past decade. Marijuana was first made illegal in 1937. The United States government gave marijuana a bad name many years ago by putting it in the same category as heroin and cocaine. For many years the government has provided inaccurate information about the effects of marijuana and as a result, the drug was labeled as a schedule one drug. Over the last few decades especially in the 70’s, marijuana became more common and socially accepted by society. This past year Colorado voted on legalizing marijuana for recreational use. “Focusing on Colorado, Amendment 64 passed on November 6th, 2012 which would legalize the possession of up to an ounce of the plant. Amendment 64 was passed in Colorado with the winning vote of about 55% of the Colorado population. They chose to make marijuana legal for those 21 and over in Colorado such as alcohol is legal everywhere else.” (Ferner 2014) Of course this whole legalization in Colorado comes with a whole list of stipulations such as users can only grow up to six plants at a time and only three of them can have flowers. The most a user can have in their possession one ounce. The marijuana laws are very similar to the alcohol laws in...
Words: 1917 - Pages: 8
...Legalizing Marijuana Greg Crist Law and the Individual Fall 2010 Legalizing Marijuana Legalizing marijuana would prevent so many problems for the United States government and could have a positive effect on the economy if handled correctly and take a very large strain off of our justice system as well. This debate has become much more intense since the latest president legalized medicinal marijuana. Now the push for total legalization has become much stronger. The recent ‘Proposition 19’ in California, which called for total legalization and taxing, failed by only a small margin, losing by only 7%. (ballotpedia.org) The problem with this issue is that marijuana has been viewed as a dangerous drug for so long that many people have a hard time accepting its benefits and the recent research that says many of the myths about marijuana use are untrue. Marijuana is an illegal drug right now, yet many people currently use it or have used it at one time in their life. 27% of people ages 18 to 25 have reported using marijuana in the last year (US Gov.) Close to a third of the population in that age group uses marijuana, yet the government still considers it a schedule 1 drug (highly addictive with no medical purposes) along with LSD and heroin. (Gunn) The federal government has set up a schedule system for all drugs based on the level of addiction and medicinal properties. Some examples of schedule II drugs are Ritalin, PCP, morphine, and cocaine; schedule III drugs are...
Words: 1184 - Pages: 5
... 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 its strict criminalization of marijuana. Starting...
Words: 1048 - Pages: 5
...Marijuana, also known as Cannabis, is a very controversial drug. With the American public being more informed regarding health, strong opinions on both sides of the marijuana argument have developed in regards to why the Government and other establishments are so opposed to re-evaluating the use of marijuana, whether for recreation or medical use. Marijuana has been researched, analyzed, studied, and proven to have positive impacts on the American society. A couple of these impacts are a boost to the economy (additional taxes) and health care (medical benefits). It is going to take society becoming more educated and with up-to-date scientific data to prove or disprove previous misconceptions about the drug and finally remove the bad reputation that this drug has garnered. During the late 19th century through the early 1920’s, marijuana was legal and a widely used ingredient for medicinal purposes and even sold at local pharmacies. In 1937, the US passed a law that ultimately ended up prohibiting sales and use of the drug in the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 in an effort to control the Mexican immigrant population in the Southwest. The Act, after being deemed unlawful, was replaced by the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970. The federal government lists marijuana as a Schedule 1 narcotic which defines it as “narcotic drugs with no known acceptable medical use, that carry a high abuse potential” (Drug Enforcement Agency [DEA]). Regardless of the barriers...
Words: 1902 - Pages: 8
...functioning brain. In her state marijuana is not legalized and has several requirements medically to get access to marijuana that the government has set in place for the medical use but it’s up to the doctors if they ae willing to implement. Thus, her government fights over the very single thing that can reduce her seizures and ease her pains. Medical research shows that the cannabis plant known to billions as marijuana holds the keys to reducing epileptic episodes giving her oxygen deprived brain a higher chance of healthiness. This is just one of the many benefits this plant holds. Regrettably, this plant is not legal in all states. By legalizing marijuana for medical or recreational use will economically and medically impact the United States by increasing profitability within the manufacturing industry, creating jobs, increasing tax revenue, and providing medicines for its citizen. Undoubtedly, there are several advantages of legalizing marijuana. One being the farming and manufacturing industry that will increase profitability by legalizing marijuana for medical or recreational use. Manufacturing marijuana is an $11 billion per year business (Ferner, 2014). There is two technique in which marijuana is cultivated. Marijuana is grown outdoors and indoors. Outdoor profits yield less than indoor profits because it produces a less potent type of marijuana. Whereas, indoor growth, the more profitable can be modified to a more intense and powerful kind of marijuana. Also, indoor production...
Words: 1950 - Pages: 8
...Fall 13 Fall 13 The Marijuana Business James Knight This paper looks at historical information, current legislation, and makes formulates an opinion on the business aspect of the federal and state legislation. The Marijuana Business James Knight This paper looks at historical information, current legislation, and makes formulates an opinion on the business aspect of the federal and state legislation. 08 Fall 08 Fall The Marijuana Business Marijuana arrived with the mayflower and has had a close relationship with the United States ever since. The evolution of the nation’s perspective has been an ever-changing shift between legalization and regulation. This paper is not about the moral aspects of legalization, but rather the business aspect of the legalization of marijuana. It will examine the historical background, overview of the problem, current status, and the business impact of marijuana. Historical Background While marijuana has a somewhat “sketchy” background, its mention pre dates recorded history. While these historical instances are not business related, the instances do offer insight into the benefits of the substance. With the arrival of pilgrims and settlers on American soil, marijuana claimed a stake that has been ever evolving with our country. Jamestown settlers brought marijuana, or what was referred to as “hemp”, from England in 1611. All throughout the colonial era, hemp was a key export. Virginia even granted famers bounties for the cultivation...
Words: 2333 - Pages: 10
