...Legalizing Marijuana: An Ethical Perspective In today’s society, many ethical concerns arise on a daily basis, especially when it comes to the topic of legalizing marijuana. Many individuals have relied on the fact that marijuana was illegal, when determining whether smoking it should be considered unethical. However, many studies have shown that the effects of marijuana are not as detrimental as they were once made out to be. Legalizing marijuana can be an extremely controversial topic because several people have strong beliefs concerning why it should not be legalized, while a significant amount of people have stronger arguments, as to why it should be legalized. When it comes to looking at the ethical standpoint of legalizing marijuana, everyone has a different interpretation as to why marijuana should or should not be legalized. This is because everyone’s sense of morals and values differ. Legalizing marijuana for medicinal and recreational use would be beneficial for large amounts of people for many reasons. The theory of utilitarianism implies that the proper course of action should be the one, which benefits the greatest number of people. Many aspects of legalizing marijuana should be considered when determining if the benefits outweigh the risks. Several states have passed laws, which govern the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. In fact, over twenty states, as well as the District of Columbia have enacted laws that govern the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes...
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...Legalizing Marijuana Kendall Joseph James York Sociology 120 September 18, 2011 Introduction In recent years there has definitely been an extremely unprecedented interest about whether or not marijuana along with its constituent compounds should be allowed to be used as medicine. There have been eight states since 1996 that have approved the medical use of marijuana. Although there are some people who simply dismiss the idea of medical marijuana as a subterfuge enabling liberalization, which they are afraid that there is a small chance that it will spread the plague of drug abuse. Having marijuana legalized could legitimate the drug as both safe and effective . Marijuana's industrial, medical, and recreational uses has definitely played an important role in regards to increasing its fame, there are even some presidential candidates that have even acknowledged the fact that they have even smoked marijuana before. Marijuana is an extremely safe drug simply because of its primary active ingredients THC along with other cannabinoids produce psychoactive effects and there is no fatal dose at all. However, there are other psychoactive drugs like alcohol, opiates, nicotine, and caffeine that can have fatal overdoses. This is why marijuana in its natural form is one of the safest, therapeutically active substance that is known to mankind. Although, there are some people who may feel morally violated in regards to legalizing marijuana and doing drugs may be a victimless...
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...Legalizing marijuana has been one of the most debated topics for a long time now. Across with any other topic, there are pros and cons to the situation. The Presidential election wasn't the only vote in 2016; several states also voted on the fate of marijuana laws. Walking in Colorado and Washington shoes, California, Nevada, Massachusetts and Maine have decided to make marijuana consumption legal for recreational purposes. On the other hand, Florida, Arkansas and North Dakota voted to allow medical marijuana, and Arizona defeated that move. When talking about the legalizing marijuana, more people are talking about it for recreational purposes. Legalizing Marijuana “More than half of US adults, over 128 million people, have tried marijuana,...
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...The Legalization of Marijuana Marijuana, also known as Cannabis, is a psychoactive drug for medicinal purposes. The English term marijuana originates from the Mexican Spanish work marihuana. According to the United Nations, marijuana is the most widely used illicit substance in the world. In modern times, marijuana has been used for such cases like recreational, religious, spiritual and medicinal purposes. However, most of today’s people use marijuana for own self-satisfaction and psychoactive purposes. The United Nation estimated that in 2004, around 4 percent of the world’s adult population, which is 162 million people, used marijuana annually and around 0.6 percent used it daily. Due to its psychoactive effect, marijuana is currently recognized as illegal drug in most cases. Right now, it is only used for medical purposes and is legal in few places. However, there have been continuous debates going on about legalizing the marijuana. Although most politicians disagree with legalizing it, there is increase in number who agrees on legalizing marijuana for many purposes. I, too, agree on legalizing marijuana because it will solve many problems. Current Obama administration is on stress about medical marijuana laws. Ethan Nadelmann pointed out that state medical marijuana laws do not make “any sense in terms of public safety, health or fiscal policy”. (Franklin) When marijuana is used for medical purpose, there are over 70 percent of voters who support. However, recently, those...
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...legal side. Legal users will be able to get it illegally from an existing supply avenue. If marijuana were legalized for medicinal purposes only, most people would still use illegal marijuana for recreational use. However, I think both purposes (medicinal & recreational) should be legalized with restrictions on buyers and growers just as there are restrictions on cigarettes and alcohol. In my opinion, the demand for marijuana would definitely increase if the drug were legalized for either purpose. You then would have people who would try marijuana for recreational purposes for the first time simply because it is legal. Legalizing marijuana would attract more users for both purposes creating a new group and need for demands. Cannabis has been legalized for a long time in the Netherlands, so we should consider the usage there compared to other countries under marijuana prohibition. Legalization would lead to a positive revenue impact generating billions of dollars in federal and state tax revenue annually. However, there is no evidence that the demand would increase or decrease, for example, California is the 8th largest economy in the world and already has a multi-billion dollar marijuana industry. To suggest legalization will spark a sustainable increase in demand for grow systems is to suggest legalization will drastically alter the consumer's sentiment towards the thought of marijuana cultivation. Yes, the price changes could affect both legal and illegal growers. First...
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...the legalization of marijuana? The legalization of marijuana has been a hotly contested topic in the US and other countries for a long time. This is because many people disagree on the effects it will have on communities and the country in general. Some people argue that it may encourage abuse and thus result in promotion of negative aspects. Some people argue that legalizing it would increase its impact on teens because fo corporations marketing to them (Bodkin). A significant number of citizens argue that legalizing marijuana would reduce its criminal impact. Many scholars and members of the public argue that legalization of marijuana is beneficial for the community because of the increased revenue from taxation. This is based on the increased usage of the drug for recreational and medical purposes because of legalization. Marijuana is consumed by a lot of people for different purposes and legalizing it will provide a way for the government to benefit from the market. Currently, the market is highly regulated and sale of marijuana is not taxed resulting in lost revenue (Nitti). Legalizing it will provide a way for states to benefit from this large market and improve service delivery from the revenue. The debate on the effect of marijuana legalization on the level of drug abuse in the US does not hold much. This is because legalization will include introduction of regulations to reduce marketing and sale to teenagers. The effect of marijuana on the level of drug...
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...The legalization of marijuana is an ongoing debate with the government; to legalize or not to legalize that is the question on the governments mind. The judgment on wither marijuana should be legalized is on a legal yet political standpoint. There are many reasons why marijuana should be legalized and many reasons why it should not be legalized. Amongst the ongoing policy battles on drugs and the pleas of patients suffering from painful, debilitating diseases causes the government to debate on legalizing marijuana (“Marijuana: To Legalize or Not to Legalize? ,” 2010, para.3 ). There are individuals who suffer from painful medical illnesses who depend on the drug to help sleep, eat, and cope with the illness in which they are suffering from. The government can legalize marijuana due to medical purposes; however this can be a conflict because this makes the drug more accessible to drug dealers. Legalizing marijuana becomes a legal debate because where there is drugs there is crime. The increase in crime rate will be higher if marijuana should become legalized. Legalizing marijuana may not increase drug crime; however it will increase the rate of other criminal activities. Previous drug criminals who are accustom to trafficking the drug will be forced to look for work, and as they are not experienced they may result in other criminal activities such as extortion, robbery and kidnapping Rios (2012). Legalizing marijuana can be a benefit due to medical purposes, yet because of criminal...
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...Covarrubias Mr. Odegaard English 1A 4 October 2011 Legalizing Marijuana “Memory is the enemy of wonder, which abides nowhere else but in the present… ordinarily we think of drug experiences as additive- it’s often said that drugs “distort” normal perceptions” (Pollan 168). When the word Marijuana is said, many negative thoughts pop into one’s head. Do you ever stop and think of the positive ways marijuana can be used; as opposed to the danger in using the plant? Today, marijuana and other drugs are the main reason for drug wars amongst gangs here in America. Maybe if marijuana was legal it there wouldn’t be such fights over it. Legalizing marijuana would allow people to be able to purchase it legally, therefore it being a taxable item; which would eventually bring the state more money. Marijuana has also found its way into our hospitals. Many doctors today prescribe “Medicinal marijuana” and can be used to relieve people of pain. Allowing marijuana to be legal would benefit both the distributor and the consumer. All while letting the American society enjoy some cannabis and is able to relax their state of mind after stressful encounters throughout there day. Marijuana is used all throughout the United States. Although the using of this plant for recreational purposes is still not legal; people still find a way to get there fix. The consumers seek distributors and spend money to receive this plant. Distributors of marijuana don’t report their money anywhere they use it as their...
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...Legalizing Marijuana: The ethical issue and problem Dorcas Rivera SOC 120 Introduction to Ethics & Social Responsibility Instructor: Robert Gala September 23, 2013 Legalizing Marijuana: The ethical issue and problem Marijuana is the most commonly abused drug. Therefore, legalizing marijuana, not only now, but for many years, has been the topic on rather or not it should be legalized. Even though marijuana has been legalized for medical use in 18 U.S. states, this has caused big controversy in our country and the ethical issue and problems it presents. In this article I will explain; what is marijuana, the risk of marijuana use, the effects of marijuana (in the brain and body), and the pros and cons of legalizing it. I will also explain how one of the classical theories, utilitarianism, would resolve the problem. On the other hand, I will contrast the response with the perspective brought to the issue by, ethical egoism. Lastly, will ended off choosing which of the two are closer to my view. Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp plant. You may hear marijuana called by street names such as pot, herb, weed, grass, boom, Mary Jane, gangster, or chronic. All forms of marijuana are mind-altering. In other words, they change how the brain works. They all contain THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the main active chemical in marijuana. They also contain more than 400 other chemicals. Marijuana's...
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...Marijuana is a “dried flower clusters and leaves of this plant, smoked or ingested as an illicit drug to induce euphoria. In certain jurisdictions, its use is permitted for its presumed benefits in treating symptoms associated primarily with cancer and AIDS, such as nausea and loss of appetite”(free dictionnaire.com). Today more than 60% percent of American are for the legalizing of marijuana. “Colorado and Washington state are the first two state to allow to use the drug for recreation purpose” (cqpress.com) today most of teenager use marijuana for recreational and medicine propose. Marijuana can be used for medical purpose, marijuana should be legal for recreational and medical purpose. Many people can say that marijuana can be legalizing because of some industry who use the plant to make paper, fabric, plastic, medicine, clothe, fiberboard. Marijuana can be helpful for medical purpose for persons who suffering...
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...Advantages of Legalizing Marijuana Marijuana use is on the rise, especially among teenagers and young adults. With the recent laws passed in eight states about legalizing medical marijuana , many stand divided when it comes to this never ending debate, but I firmly believe that this miracle working drug should be legalized throughout the United States. Marijuana is by far the most commonly used illegal drug. Statistics show that over 70 million Americans have tried Marijuana and over 20 million smoked it last year. So it is safe to assume that although marijuana use may decrease in the years to come, as did Heroin and LSD, it is here to stay. Colorado, Nevada, Alaska, California, Hawaii, Maine, Oregon & Washington have already passed laws allowing the use of medical Marijuana. In the fall of 1996, California voters approved the medical marijuana initiative (proposition 215). The act is entitled The Compassionate Use Act of 1996 and its purpose is to give Californians the right to possess and grow marijuana for medical purposes, where the medical use is deemed appropriate and has been recommended by a doctor who has determined the person's health would benefit from the use of marijuana in the treatment of Cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, spasticity, glaucoma, arthritis, migraines, or any other illness for which marijuana provides relief. Nothing in the act permits persons using marijuana for medical purposes to engage in conduct that endangers others, allows distribution...
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...Beyond Legalizing Marijuana for Medical Purpose Angel Padro Devry University Professor Natalie Reid English 112 February 23, 2011 In this time of day we still have people that are against legalizing marijuana, but now it brings up discussion about marijuana if United States should legalized marijuana for medical purpose. Now you have to ask yourself something, why is marijuana illegal in the first place? If the government wants to legalize it for medical purposes, why not completely legalize it. So the question is if prohibition is here to protect us, does the prohibition really work? Where in today’s studies there no proof that marijuana is harmful to the American people, so let take a closer look on why marijuana should be legalized in Untied States. Couple years now the discussion of legalizing marijuana is coming up a lot more nowadays. It’s showing that marijuana is actually more useful than people think. So the government is thinking about legalizing marijuana for medical purposes. That raises some red flags, because everybody thinks it so harmful, but that’s not the case. “Actually it’s a proven fact that marijuana does not kill brain cells, it actually stimulates the brain cells and helps them grow.” (The Union-Adam Scorgie 2011) “Also from today polls there are no record death from Marijuana.” (CNBC-2011) Let’s take a look at a poll taking by “The United States government National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bureau of Mortality Statistics: TOBACCO……….400...
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...August 17,2014 PHI 105 Legalizing Marijuana In the last few year’s marijuana has been a major topic in the media. There is a huge debate on whether or not marijuana should be legalized and how it would all play out if it were to be legalized. Some think marijuana should be legal while other seem to disagree, however, when you look at the benefits behind legalizing it, there is no reason for it not to be. Marijuana should be legalized as it provides benefits for the critically ill, taxation on the legalization product can increase revenue, and the legalization of marijuana can allow it to then be regulated and/or its legalization can reduce criminal activity associated with marijuana (such as smuggling, dealing, using, etc.) For many years, marijuana has helped aid the pain of critically ill patients across America. Health and comfort should be what the government is concerned with. Marijuana can help people in their everyday life like simply relaxing. Marijuana is used for more than just recreational purposes such as treating pain, reducing nausea, and increasing one’s appetite. “Worldwide studies have shown it to be useful for treating pain, reducing nausea and increasing appetite, among a growing list of other things” (Vorenberg. S). When not abused, marijuana’s symptoms are mild and not often people are uncontrollable. While legalizing marijuana cannot only benefit the critically ill, it can help out our government and increase its revenue. Marijuana is tough on our justice...
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...Bobby D. Jackson Ms. Woods English Comp. 12/04/2013 Legalizing Marijuana Will Benefit American Society It has been called a pain reliever, stress reliever, and a psychiatric reliever – helpful to the health of a human being – so why do some call it harmful? Cannabis is the third most popular recreational drug in America, surpassed only by alcohol and tobacco. Of the top three recreational drugs, Cannabis is the only one that is outlawed, but it plays a tremendous part in the social and financial gain of America. Many states have already supported the more liberal view of legalizing marijuana. California legalized medicinal marijuana in 1996 because of the way marijuana impacts the Autonomic Nervous System, which expands the breath and relaxes the body (http://sundial.csun.edu/2009/11/legalizing-marijuana-can-reduce-crime-increase-revenue-for-state/). Its potential for health and healing is enormous, and its use has been legally adopted by nearly 20 states. "The evidence is overwhelming that marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms caused by such illnesses as multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS and it can do so with remarkable safety. Indeed, marijuana is less toxic than many of the drugs that physicians prescribe every day" (Joycelyn Elders, MD, Former US Surgeon General). Many of the physicians who have adopted marijuana as a form of treatment have done so with substantial positive effects. There are over 600,000 physicians...
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...Thesis: Legalizing marijuana simply digs a deeper hole in the fight against harmful intoxicants. Summary: The legalization of marijuana would have no benefits. To the contrary, doing so would simply add to the list of readily accessible and potentially addictive substances that can lead to irresponsible behavior and poor health. Given the widespread problems associated with addictive substances such as alcohol and tobacco, why should laws be altered to add another substance to this list? The fact that so many people break laws prohibiting marijuana use does not mean that these laws should be repealed. Introduction One function of government is to protect citizens from harm, whether it is from foreign enemies or from internal causes such as poisonous food or contaminated water. Similarly, the ban on marijuana protects citizens from the dangers of drug consumption, as well as potentially destructive behaviors associated with marijuana use. With the possible exception of limited benefits in treating some diseases under a physician's direction, there are no advantages to the use of intoxicants such as marijuana or more potent drugs, including cocaine and heroin. This is not to say that individuals do not experience some momentary pleasure in consuming drugs-often at tremendous social costs. However, drug use can also wreak havoc on an individual's ability to experience all of the facets of life-from facing and overcoming challenges to enjoying times of great joy to relishing...
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