...Thomas 08/08/2013 EN1320 Composition 1 Unit 10 Research Paper Part 6: Final Draft of Research Paper The war on drugs isn’t necessary; the amount of money tax payers are wasting is reason alone to consider other options. There is talk that decriminalizing drugs will not help, and that legalizing them will cause more trouble than what is already around, while legalizing marijuana and educating the teens about drugs may guide them to make better choices as they grow older. Not only does the war on drugs take money out of the hard-working hands of Americans, but it also forces drug users to look for alternative ways to get high. Because of unfair laws on drugs such as marijuana, users move toward the legal “spices” that cause more death than marijuana itself. There are a few states that have legalized marijuana for medical purposes, although it’s still difficult to grow and use in those states because of federal laws. The legalization of medical marijuana; brings money to that state, helps the sick, opens jobs and rises the tax revenue; a few of the things to look forward to when Uncle Sam starts treating us like adults. “In the 1980s and ‘90s the U.S. beat back the cocaine and heroin epidemics, but not by legalization or decriminalization, but by tough law enforcement, strong prevention and education programs and public outcry.” (Bennett, 2013) The truth is the War on Drugs is something like the War on Terrorism. To end terrorism is to end hate; a great idea, but is it possible? It’s...
Words: 1215 - Pages: 5
...Decriminalization and Legalization of Drugs in Canada The Decriminalization and/ or legalization of drugs is a highly contentious issue regarding political, legal, economic, and social implications. It is also a highly contagious issue that the media cannot seem to cure its self of. Then again the public definitely cares about this issue intensely and so do many politicians whether they are users themselves or just simple supporters (of the tax revenues that legalizing certain narcotics will bring in to the country), especially in the United States and Canada where people are being thrown in jail for years only because of small possession charges (more so in the USA). Prisons in The United States are overcrowded with people who shouldn’t be...
Words: 2645 - Pages: 11
...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 and give back to the community. Benefits There are so many beneficial aspects of this substance being legalized that a lot of people deter from. We have school systems and community centers that need new books, equipment, etc. and nobody is seeing the big picture in all of this. Many doctors agree that this substance is a great aid to patients with chronic pain and lack of...
Words: 2224 - Pages: 9
...Decriminalization of Marijuana. Marijuana is a drug that comes in many forms and strains. The decriminalization of marijuana could have outstanding effects on our country. Decriminalization is to make something no longer a criminal act but was marijuana always illegal. The benefits of decriminalization are double to triple the negatives of decriminalization. Four groups of people would be hurt by this. You may be wondering can this be regulated by government. The answer may shock you but California already has it well regulated. I believe it best we decriminalize it when the time is right and some states are already seeing that the time is right. We can’t talk about why something needs to be decriminalized without first discussing why it was criminalized in the first...
Words: 1709 - Pages: 7
...in the United States. Today, while marijuana has been known to have positive medical purpose, it is a federally illegal drug. Due to the drug’s growing fan base, it would not be a surprise if it were to become legalized sooner rather than later. Marijuana should become federally recognized as legal because of its medical effects, possibility for economic prosperity, and harmlessness. Not all People use marijuana just to get high. A growing number of citizens smoke cannabis because it helps with sleeping, headaches, and insomnia. Studies at University of California Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research indicate that inhaling marijuana smoke can lead to positive medical effects for patients that have serious illnesses. For example, cancer patients have been known to experience a great reduction in neuropathic pain after taking the drug (norml.org). Commoners without serious health problems smoke marijuana to alleviate eye irritation and anxiety. With such a large percent of the population that takes the drug illegally, marijuana is bound to benefit the government as well that the people. By legalizing marijuana for both medical and recreational use, the government can regulate the buying and selling of the product. Imposing a new and higher tax on the drug will open a doorway to broad possibilities for a country in an economic recession. Legalizing the drug to be bought, sold and taxed would provide the country with a whole new rejuvenated market that contains a consistently...
Words: 790 - Pages: 4
...of decriminalizing marijuana state-by-state. As of this writing, twenty-four states and the District of Columbia have instituted forms of marijuana legalization: twenty allow patients with certain incurable or degenerative and painful conditions to access marijuana for medical purposes, while Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Alaska, and DC have decriminalized marijuana for both medical and recreational purposes (State Marijuana Laws Map, 2016), with possibly as many as fourteen with potential legalization measures on the ballots this November (Rough, 2016). With public opinion shifting so quickly and marijuana becoming increasingly commonplace in American culture (pop and otherwise), it’s hard to imagine that this drug has been largely illegal and controlled in the United States for a century. Proponents of marijuana legalization argue that the initial criminalization of the plant has its roots in racism and capitalism, and that marijuana became the political sacrifice to the looming economic giant that was timber production in the early 1900s in the face of cheaper and more sustainable hemp competition. Criminalization of marijuana simultaneously created another reason to demonize people of color, especially Mexicans; post-war immigrants are largely credited for introducing the US recreational medical marijuana after the Mexican Revolution, though laws would later be created to vilify both Mexicans and African Americans (Siff, 2014). Marijuana may seem like a simplistic drug to...
Words: 1469 - Pages: 6
...leaves more people spending their time in jail, suffering and dying probably. Total drug arrests are now over 1.5 million a year. There are about 400,000 drug offenders in jails and prison now. Over 80 percent of the increase in the federal prison population from 1985 to 1995 was due to drug convictions. Drug offenders made up 59.6 percent of all federal prisoners in 1996 which went up from 52.6 percent in 1990. Drug dealers become the most clearly successful people in these communities. They are the ones with the money, clothes, and cars. Social order is turned upside down when the most successful people in a community are criminals. The drug war makes peace and prosperity almost impossible in inner cities (David Boaz, 2000). Legalization of marijuana would bring with it government controls. This would guarantee a safe supply of marijuana that is free of any unknown substances. It would also provide a known and consistent potency and price, rather than force users to deal with the underground economy. This is just like how alcohol, tobacco and over the counter and prescription drugs are regulated. There would also be the added bonus of drug tax revenue. (Kalet Hank,...
Words: 992 - Pages: 4
...There is always a great debate, for many years, 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...
Words: 1048 - Pages: 5
...Marijuana in America COM 220 Marijuana is a drug that has played a significant role in American history and culture. The drug has been used in several forms, from practical uses to recreational uses. Marijuana also once defined a generation of American people. As of today, marijuana is illegal for recreational use, with some states allowing the drug to be used for medicinal purposes only. The debate has begun in federal and state governments for decriminalizing the recreational use of marijuana, which has brought about questioning the effects that the drug has on people. Is marijuana a gateway drug that leads people to use harder, more dangerous drugs or is this theory a scare tactic to persuade people to keep from using the plant? Marijuana began its history in the United States as a plant that was grown to produce rope, clothing and sails for boats as early as the 17th century. The plant, known as hemp, was first brought to America by the Puritans, a group of people from England that immigrated to the United States to escape religious prosecution. As the people began to create communities, leaders encouraged farmers to grow hemp. In 1619, the Virginia Assembly approved legislation that “required every farmer to grow the hemp seed because the plant’s large role in producing material” (Booth, 2003, p. 173). The plant was also used as legal tender in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia to pay property taxes. By the 18th century, marijuana...
Words: 2101 - Pages: 9
...The War on Drugs: What is America Fighting For? Sandra Gailer COM/172 September 25, 2013 + The War on Drugs: What is America Fighting For? With the number of arrests having more than tripled in the past 25 years, and billions of dollars spent annually to fund the war on drugs, the United States (U.S.) should consider decriminalizing and regulating illegal drugs to reduce the number of people incarcerated and produce tax revenue from distribution. Since it was first declared by President Nixon in 1971 (Drug Policy Alliance, n.d.) the drug war proves to be causing America more harm than good. With no end in sight, the government should not be focusing on drug prevention but rather drug policy reformation. The US has been funding the war on drugs for decades. Although the intentions behind declaring the war are to help Americans, the reality is the war continues to be causing more harm than good. America has spent at least $1 trillion dollars on the war so far (Drug Policy Alliance, n.d.). In 2010 alone, the federal government spent over $15 billion dollars funding the war, that is at a rate of about $500 per second (Drug War Clock, n.d.). With the amount of debt increasing over a billion dollars every day, our government should be directing efforts towards creating revenue instead of continuing to spend money and increasing taxes. One way to accomplish generating revenue would be if some of the drugs that are considered illegal were decriminalized and regulated by the federal...
Words: 1187 - Pages: 5
...Morgan Gadley 16 September 2014 English 1102 Zhang Marijuana, The Game Changer In Medicine and Society Is marijuana as corrupt as society makes it out to be? Growing up, everyone is told that, “Drugs are bad for you,” time and time again. Now as a kid you don’t really appreciate the reasoning behind it, but you listen to your authority figure heedlessly. I remember being told this my entire life and even to this very day. But as I got older I realized that people would still use the drugs even though it’s unlawful. I could never comprehend why someone would go against the law and endanger their life just to use drugs? But as I got older I began to realize that these people truly didn’t do any harm to the public or to themselves by smoking marijuana. Many doctors and health specialist are advocates for consumers to smoke marijuana just because of its health benefits. Marijuana is the third most popular recreational drug in America other than alcohol and tobacco, but marijuana is the only one that can benefit you the most out of the three. Alcohol and tobacco are drugs that many people have died from and harms the body as time goes by. Other medication that doctors prescribe to their patients is painkillers, and they can really kill you. According to McKnight et al. (2014), “There were 14,800 deaths from opiate overdose in 2008, according to the Center for Disease Control, and none from marijuana” (p. 4). Pain is the anxiety of disease, the symptom that reveals that...
Words: 3646 - Pages: 15
...Introduction The question of whether or not to legalize drugs in America has been a strong debate for many decades. Each year there has been a growing number of deaths because of drugs in the United States. With these numbers, there are still wide spread efforts to legalize illicit drugs around the country. This paper will research drug legalization in the United States versus other countries, the positives and negatives, and a reasoned opinion on the topic. When debating the issue of drug legalization and crime, there are questions to ask: Do drugs cause crime and do they inevitably lead to crime? If drugs are made legal, would there be less crime? If the government subsidized addicts, would they still engage in criminal conduct? What would happen if drugs were legalized (Hartnett, 2005)? States like Washington and Colorado have made Marijuana legal, all other states and countries are watching the results. They are watching what legalizing marijuana does for the economy, tax revenue, and crime reduction. There is an international impact with marijuana legalization. History behind the drug war Throughout the history of the drug war, both state and federal law enforcement agencies have cracked down on both drug abusers and drug dealers. During the late 60s, the U.S. government founded the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (BNDD). The BNDD worked a study to find a correlation between crime and heroin addiction. They found that 44 percent of...
Words: 1283 - Pages: 6
...recognized for its healing potential and properties. How the Government has suppressed its positive potential and healing powers for over 25 years. With the help frommany patients, loved ones, research departments and advocate groups, to get the Government’s attention to see and understand that the terminally ill, and the sick should not be treated as common criminals. They are only trying to find some peace and serenity, in their last days. The struggle and fight that has been going on for the last 25 years against the Government. The people were finally heard, with the legalization of Medical Marijuana. The Government wants to regulate everything for their best interest, the positive effect of decriminalizing marijuana for the terminally ill, and the positive economic benefits for our community. Cannabis Sativa, Marijuana, Weed, Herb, Mary Jane these are just a few names that this little 5 leaf plant goes by. How could this life healing plant get such a bad reputation, when clearly it has nothing but positive powers. People all over the world have been using marijuana for thousands of years. Cannabis has been around since the Garden of Eden, it is even mentioned in the Bible, Yes in the Bible in Exodus (30:22-23) "Holy anointing oil, as described in the original Hebrew version of the recipe in Exodus...
Words: 3054 - Pages: 13
...The legalization of marijuana has been a common, debatable topic for a very long time. Marijuana has been thought to be a risky drug, leading to criminal conduct and personal corruption. Fortunately, opinions have changed because there is no scientific proof that marijuana has little to no lifelong, effects. States like Colorado and Washington have already legalized the use of recreational Marijuana. Marijuana has many incredible recreational benefits such as increasing tax revenue, improving quality and safety control on Marijuana and putting a Stop to the Blackmarket. At the point when a man purchases weed off the road, there's no real way to know precisely what hazardous substances are cut into the medication. While current legalization endeavors don't specifically address security issues, they do make a structure for a wellbeing control framework, which would work to wipe out a portion of the hazard that originates from smoking a substance possibly bound with poisonous fixings. Since pot stays unlawful, there are no systems for its generation to be checked, its intensity and quality to be institutionalized and tried, or its marking for potential wellbeing impacts before being sold. Research has demonstrated that...
Words: 1046 - Pages: 5
...War on Drugs Robert Lee Adams October 11, 2015 Speech Professor Gil Stern In this essay I will be describing the alleged war on drugs along with its effect on all of us whether it be from a financial stand point, emotional, or its overall effect. I will also be writing about the possibilities of decriminalizing recreational drugs and the effects that would have on everyone. Lastly, I will discuss why I believe this is the best course of actions along with why I believe that it has not been done already. The simple fact of the matter is more people die each year from alcohol, tobacco, and prescription drugs than any other cause of death in the world. That includes cancer, aids, and many other prominent diseases combined. Benefits I will start off with the pros of legalizing drugs which are the following, tax dollars earned from sales, less tax dollars spent on housing inmates for drug possession, and less broken homes from people being hauled off to prison. Two senior lecturers at the University of Harvard have conducted studies to show how much revenue would come from legalizing drugs. In their findings they saw that there would be over 40 billion dollars in tax revenue. Over 8 billion from marijuana alone, and 32 billion from cocaine, heroin, and other drugs. It’s said that right now that marijuana is a bigger cash crop than wheat or corn. Now that is the money coming in from these drugs. Imagine how fast we could decrease our national debt, not to mention the tourist...
Words: 1208 - Pages: 5
