...The Benefits of Legalizing Medical Marijuana There has been much discussion recently regarding the use and legalization of medical marijuana. In the United states, the use of medical marijuana is regulated under federal law. As of April 2015, 23 states have legalized cannabis for medical and therapeutic uses. However, there are important legal differences between medical marijuana at the federal and state levels. At a federal level, marijuana is classified as a Scheduled 1 substance under the Controlled Substance Act. Prior to 2009 state laws did not supersede federal laws, meaning the criminalization of medical marijuana was still possible under federal prosecution (S. Davison, J. Davison, 2011, p. 773-774). In 2009 Attorney General Eric...
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...Should Marijuana be Legalized or Not I think that Marijuana should be legalized. It is a very bad drug, and it could lead to dangerous actions! Marijuana is used as a gateway drug. A gateway drug isn’t addictive, but can lead to use of other drugs. Also, Marijuana can cause health problems for people who do it too much. If you do marijuana a lot, it is possible that you could get addicted to it. Many people see marijuana as a gateway drug. It is mixed with alcohol and cigarette use. Also this gateway drug can cause bad health. It could change your mood during the day. That could cause being angry then happy. This drug could increase the use of heroin. Marijuana can cause major health problems. It could make you not sleep very well....
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...endless debate about the public health risks and benefits of cannabis. Legalization of cannabis for medicinal and recreational use has been a one of most disputed issues in the United States. This has become an important issue in public health because, although some risks and benefits are known, more research is needed to determine other harmful and therapeutic effects (Wilkinson, 2016). There is not enough evidence for wide-spread clinical or recreational use. Laws, initiatives and policies for making marijuana legal may lead to, “increased clinical and recreational usage, a wide range of methods for consumption, and conflicts between state and federal laws. However, these policies would focus on guarding the health and safety...
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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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...Marijuana plays a significant role in America’s population today. According to Ed Rosenthal and Steve Kubby, approximately one third of the United States population uses marijuana or have tried it before. Marijuana also known as weed and cannabis should be legalized in the United States to decrease crime rate, increase job opportunities and increase economical growth. There are many benefits to legalizing marijuana. Legalizing marijuana can decrease the overall crime rate in America. Legalizing marijuana will put less people in prison for possession of the substance. This is helpful to overcrowded prisons because it would open up more cells for criminals with more serious offenses like rape, murder, and robbery. Legalizing marijuana would also force marijuana dealers off the street. Also, allowing police officers to focus on investigating and arresting criminals with serious offenses. According to Sallie Dawson, marijuana was studied and proven to relieve anxiety and depression. Marijuana shows no sign of lung cancer as cigarettes do. It was proven that a person that smoked cigarettes and marijuana is less likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer than one that smokes cigarettes only. It also helps people suffering from aids, cancer, epilepsy and chronic pain. Marijuana does so because it relaxes the body it gives relief from nausea and increases appetite. Marijuana reduces muscle spasms and relief from chronic pain. Since marijuana helps the American people and not...
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...In 1996, medical marijuana became legal in California, which inspired Richard Lee to open businesses associated with the usage of marijuana. Lee was a medical marijuana provider and activist with a dream to legalize marijuana; as a result, he created Proposition 19 in 2010 by using his own funding to the sum of $1.45 million. The creation of Proposition 19 was to legalize marijuana in California through regulation and taxation. In essence, passing of the bill would legally allow individuals that are 21 or older the ability to harvest and use marijuana. However, Proposition 19 would only grant legal rights related with marijuana under the state of California and not under federal law. As a result, federal law must still firmly enforce drug laws against harvesters and distributors of marijuana in California. Although Proposition 19 was unable to pass in 2010, Lee ensures that effort to pass this bill will never stop. Proposition 19 protesters argue that legalizing marijuana creates abuse among adolescents. In the article “Why We Should Not Legalize Marijuana”, Dr. Robert L. DuPont stated, “Marijuana is the most commonly abused illegal drug in the U.S. and around the world.” The United States Drug enforcement Agency has classified marijuana as a drug that has an extreme potential for abuse. They categorized marijuana as a schedule I drug which is under the same category as cocaine, heroin and morphine. Parents fear that the legalization of marijuana enables easier access...
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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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...Legalizing marijuana has been an ongoing debate in the U.S for years. Citizens believe that by legalizing marijuana and cutting the revenue stream to drug cartels, will tremendously reduce the drug trade for this particular substance. This will benefit the U.S. by fueling our own economy. By legalizing marijuana, some law enforcement departments believe that this will allow them the freedom to focus on real crimes and help real victims. Furthermore, marijuana legalization will create numerous career opportunities for our nation. Cultivation, consumption, and the sale of marijuana impacts the public in many positive aspects by reducing the profit drug cartels receive and increasing our nation’s tax revenue, providing thousands of citizens new...
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...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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...Vincent Piccoli Professor Melville EN 112 25 November 2014 The Legalization of Marijuana The legalization of Marijuana has gradually become one of the most talked about topics in the world today. It has been a fight between the government, the states, and the citizens of any country/countries around the world. From 12 percent in 1969, to 25 percent in 1995, to 36 percent by 2005 and hitting 48 percent in 2012, the demographic shift on this issue has been stunning. (Heuvel, Kartina Vanden) There are 23 states in the United States with some form of marijuana legalization. Whether it be the legalization of marijuana medically or recreationally, or some both. Legalizing marijuana has some very big advantages along with the pros and cons already. For most states, legalizing marijuana will benefit the economy greatly, marijuana is more harmless than many other drugs such as alcohol, tobacco, cocaine. There always is that chance it does not benefit the economy but the percentage of marijuana users throughout the world is increasing every year. (Heuval, Kartina Vanden) With all of this comes responsibility and with the right determination and structure, Marijuana should be legalized but with regulations. One positive effect the legalization of marijuana will have on society is the medical aspect of marijuana. So many people need and use medical marijuana to help treat themselves and take care of themselves. For some it is their only cure and for some it is more like...
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...drugs even though it’s illegal. Though its not something anyone could ever understand, why do these people go against the law and jeopardize their life just to use drugs? The drug that I am talking in this essay about is marijuana, and it may be surprising to some but it is all around us. Marijuana is even being referred to in today’s media. The way that they are doing this is through the mainstream media sources that people prefer; like music, movies, and TV shows. Now being a 20 year old adult and having my own personal experience with Marijuana and knowing its effects on others, and myself. I always ask why it’s not legal. Why is it that this drug has become illegal all over the world, but they allow cigarettes, alcohol, and prescription medication. The war to legalize marijuana in the United States of America has been and is now being fought nonstop since the existence of the drug itself. Marijuana has been tested and proven to have a very positive impact on the American society for multiple reasons. Some of these reasons are for America’s economy, the health of certain people, and even crime. These reasons could very well help America turn around its national debt and help thrive the country in the future. This naturally grown plant known as marijuana is known all around the world. This plant is known to be a herbal medicine that gives users a “high” and is legal in a lot of countries in the world, but also illegal in a lot of...
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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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...For years a popular controversial subject Texas has been talking about is the legalization of marijuana. Many people believe it should be legal and many believe just the opposite of that. Marijuana is not some dangerous drug that can take your life, that’s not what makes it illegal. Marijuana first became illegal in the 1910’s. In western states, it was a fear of Mexican immigrants who used the plant and in eastern states it was a fear of African Americans who used cannabis to take advantage of white women (Hoff). Although illegal now, the effects of legalizing marijuana in Texas would benefit in many ways. One effect of legalizing marijuana in Texas would be the money it brings in. As of right now, Texas’ highest paying cash crop is cotton...
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...Should the U.S. legalize marijuana? • The U.S. legalization of marijuana has been a controversial subject for many years. Proponents of legalization cite many benefits including, what they claim to be substantial increases in tax revenue, reduction in crime, and widespread medical benefits. Opponents argue that marijuana is a harmful drug that increases crime, causes more problems with health than it benefits, and would cost taxpayers more than the revenue it would bring in. II First Source Klein, J., April 2, 2009. Why legalizing marijuana makes sense. Time magizine Retrieved from: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1889021,00.html • This author expresses the many benefits of legalization, while expressing just a few valid, weak arguments for those against legalization. • This article easily answers the question for the proponents of legalization but doesn’t offer enough information to argue against it. • Evidence is sufficient for legalization • Examples cited are revelant and conclusions do add up for legalization III Second Source DuPont, R., April 20, 2010. Why we should not legalize marijuana, A CNBC special report. Retrieved from http://www.Why_We_Should_Not_Legalize_Marijuana.cnbc.com/id/36267223/ • This article supports the opponents of legalization and offers nothing for the opposing view. • Evidence is sufficient and well written for the points expressed for not legalizing marijuana. • Evidence is insufficient...
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...Philmon Com 156 October 09, 2011 Diana Marquez Legalization of Cannabis The controversial issue of legalizing cannabis is a topic worth discussing. Let’s look at each aspect of health risks and benefits to the legalization of cannabis. Legalizing cannabis could have a positive effect on the crime rate in America as the statistics will show this. The most beneficial part of legalizing cannabis will be the economic gains that will come from legalizing marijuana. While there are some health risks associated to the legalization of cannabis the benefits of a decrease in crime and increases in the economy greatly out weigh the cons to legalizing cannabis. There are many health benefits and risks to the legalizations of cannabis. Cannabis is used to treat patients who have pain associated with certain diseases like human immunodeficiency virus. The pain that these patients endure is called neuropathic pain. In a study done by “Dr. Ellis and colleagues found that 46 percent of patients administered medical marijuana experienced at least a 30 percent reduction in pain” (Uddin, 04/11). Having a pain reduction without having to take a pill is a plus as there are many side effects that go along with some pain pills. Another benefit to the use of cannabis is an increase in appetite. This is very important in patients undergoing cancer treatment. “Medicinal marijuana can signal a food craving within a patient's body, encouraging the patient to eat to provide energy to...
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