Are we morally obligated to obey unjust laws? When defining what an unjust law is, it means that regardless of how unfair or immoral the law may be, it must be followed with no other reason than that it is the law. We as humans are obligated to follow these without any exceptions. According to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “An unjust law is a code that a numerical or power majority compels a minority group to obey but does not make binding on itself.” I personally define an unjust law as a law that could potentially go against the Constitution or has more cons as a law than pros. In our world, there are many different controversial issues surrounding our lives, especially concerning the United States’ laws. One that seems to be a bigger issue …show more content…
These laws are generally applied only against persons who possess, cultivate, or distribute large quantities of cannabis. This is an unjust law because there are several things that are allowed by the government that can cause more physical and emotional harm than marijuana. A few examples of these are the use of alcohol and the use of some prescription drugs. The consumption of alcohol in the United States is very common to many. Alcohol is the third leading cause of death in the United States, according to the NIAA, but marijuana is nontoxic and cannot cause death by overdose. Even though there are high restrictions on alcohol such as age limits, it is still legal to drink it even when it is more dangerous than marijuana. Another reason for the use of marijuana being illegal is the use of some prescription drugs. Prescription pain killers have a number of side effects which can cause long term health problems. These pain killers can consist of several different ingredients, whereas marijuana is organic. By comparing marijuana to alcohol and prescription drugs, we see that marijuana is less harmful to our society rather than alcohol or prescription …show more content…
One positive outcome of marijuana is the successful usage in the medical field. There is an overwhelming amount of scientific research that supports this evidence. According to Carmen Yarrusso, “Marijuana can safely relieve pain, nausea and vomiting caused by various illnesses.” Our society is always looking for ways to improve the medical field. A way to improve would be to switch over to a more organic and efficient substance. Another positive outcome would be that murder rates that are drug related will go down within the cartels. When receiving these drugs from Mexico or other foreign countries, it causes the murder rate associated with marijuana to increase. By legalizing it in the United States, the murder rate will decline from each country. While the murder rate is declining, the employment rate in the United States will increase. Once marijuana is a legal substance, the industry will begin to develop quickly and generate jobs. The United States would see a boost in the economy due to the rise of new jobs and sales. For this to become a reality, people must take a stand and be
Marijuana or cannabis, according to the Federal Government, is considered dangerous and addictive and is, therefore, placed on the controlled substance list as a Schedule 1 drug, making its use and possession illegal, as well it is considered one of the worst drugs. Other more harmful drugs such as cocaine are considered schedule II drugs, so according to the U.S. Government, cocaine is considered less hazardous than marijuana. There have been many studies conducted by scientists proving the benefits of medical marijuana in relieving chronic pain, nausea and a full array of other ailments. The benefits of legalizing marijuana far outweigh the bad. By allowing people to possess and use marijuana for medicinal purposes, we are improving society as a whole and increasing the happiness and utility of individuals who are living with debilitating conditions, in turn this would create a happier society all around.
The article discussed several potential health benefits to medical cannabis. For example, medical marijuana can be used to test glaucoma by slowing the progression of the disease and preventing blindness. It can help control epileptic seizures and decrease the symptoms of a severe seizure disorder known as Dravet’s Syndrome. The chemical CBD may help prevent cancer from spreading. In addition, it may decrease anxiety, ease the pain from multiple sclerosis, and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Medical marijuana may lessen the side effects from treating some illnesses such as hepatitis C. It has also been used to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and promote
Marijuana is one of the oldest cultivated plants (Nahas 8). Since it became illegal in 1967, there have been questions of whether or not it is good for purposes, such as medicine, other than being a leisure drug. Debates between pro and con groups for the use of marijuana in the medical profession, have been heated and in recent months, referendums have been pasted in a least three states to make it accessible for medical treatment. Personally, I feel that marijuana has the potential to be a significant help with certain aliments, however, more research needs to be done to maximize its potential.
The number one reason marijuana is illegal today is because of economics. Pharmaceutical companies make billions of dollars every year by treating medical conditions that could be treated naturally. People today have medicine cabinets that are completely full with medication that treats problems from headaches to anxiety and depression. The problem with this is that some medications do not react well with one another. You can have fatal results with mixing medication which is why you are told to consult your doctor before use. Some products even state the possible side effects which seem so horrible that you wouldn't want to risk it. The problem is mostly due to how huge these pharmaceutical companies have become, they can't come to terms that marijuana could eliminate the need for a large amount of medication being used today.
Marijuana is already harmful and it just eases pain it does not cure it. There is also another reason of not legalizing marijuana, the fact that if legalized this drug then strong law enforcement agencies have to be in place and more tax payer’s money would be spent, thus eventually leading to increase in taxes, which everyone hates. There are so many alternative drugs like painkillers that can ease up pain too such as the gateway drugs known as benzodiazepines and barbiturate. So there should be no reason for marijuana to be legalized. More people are affected by consuming pot than they are benefited.
The Cannabis industry if legalized and regulated will be able to create jobs and economic opportunities within the states. Instead of how it is right now, which is through illicit marketing, if legalized, the street crime and cartels that are running the business at the moment will suffer greatly.
Alcohol and marijuana are two drugs commonly used and abused in the United States. Alcohol is the number one abused drug, while marijuana is number one among illegal drugs. While alcohol remains legal, and marijuana illegal, this does not necessarily mean that alcohol is better for you. There have been many arguments where people suggest that marijuana should be legal because alcohol is more deadly. On the other hand, there are alcoholics who would tell a pothead that smoking weed is bad for you. Both substances are very bad for your health and should not be heavily used by anyone.
The legalization of marijuana would let loose the floodgates of free enterprise allowing capitalism to generate marijuana distribution and manufacture corporations which will generate billions upon billions of dollars. Marijuana, if legalized, will almost certainly be taxed by the federal government, generating cash-flow while still keeping prices reasonable. The price of marijuana would also drop exponentially, because the dangers of smuggling and police raids will be eliminated. Legalized marijuana would likely to legal to grow as well, but require some sort of permit, or license to distribute. Just like any other...
In America,—the so called “home of the free” and well-known for being just and right—the federal law states that it is illegal to possess, grow, sell, or anything else related to marijuana—a natural, safe, and beneficial substance. If anyone is found guilty of these actions, they could face a fine anywhere from one thousand dollars to four million dollars and/or serve a prison sentence anywhere from fifteen days to life. However, the sale, use and even abuse of alcohol or tobacco—which is scientifically tested not natural, safe, or beneficial—is not seen to the government as illegal and is only punishable if sold to a minor or if the use of the substances causes a crime to occur. The illegal status of marijuana is an unjust law. The DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) currently lists marijuana as a schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA). The CSA states that, “Schedule I drugs are classified as having a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the...
Following the federal legalization of cannabis, the United States economy will strengthen and America’s crime rate will decrease because of the legal, taxed distribution of the drug. Lawful marijuana use in the United States will increase our medical and environmental resources, our economy as well as decrease the national crime rate. Overall, the legalization and regulation of marijuana will improve the lives of Americans nationally by a decreased crime rate, a boost in the economy, as well as local dispensaries. Soon it won’t be drug dealers on your street corners, but rather proud business owners.
So far, twenty-three states have legalized cannabis for medical uses. Originally, medical marijuana was use for lesser ailment like pain or insomnia due to the lack or research. Then as people started to do more research they realized marijuana could actually help patient with more serious conditions like glaucoma, or to help those who suffer form seizures, or even to fight cancer. Marijuana helps people with cancer a great deal. For starters, the chemicals in marijuana make patients hungry and help to keep patients strong. Second, research has shown promising evidence that the chemicals in cannabis fight the spreading of cancer cells and even help to kill cancer cells. Medical marijuana also helps to prevent users from obtaining other serious afflictions. Currently, researchers are studying the way the chemicals in marijuana effect amyloid plaques. Amyloid plaques, are the number one cause of Alzheimer’s disease, and researchers now believe marijuana use can help fight and help prevent this horrible disease. All of these studies could help to one day make incredible break throughs in modern medicine, and possibly find cures for Cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Medicinal marijuana is just one reason for the legalization of
The legalization of marijuana has the potential to bring our economy back to life if it were to be legalized. There are a number of ways in which legalization could improve the economy. We could use the revenue from taxes on marijuana to provide a better quality of life for Americans in need. Legalizing marijuana would also save us money by cutting the cost of putting someone in jail for harmless marijuana-related charges that waste tax money. Also, it would put more money into circulation by keeping the profits off the black market and into the legal and taxed market.
Marijuana continues to be one of the most used illegal drugs in the United States. Marijuana has been used for many years and at one time was legal to consume. Throughout the years, marijuana has been used for treatment of different medical conditions and has been used recreationally by people of all ages. While the use of medicinal marijuana has proven to be effective in treating medically ill patients, society continues to question its recreational use and the long term effects it will have on its users. Some feel that legalizing marijuana will only open up avenues for the use of more potent drugs, causing an increase in criminal activity. However, a number of people question why it is considered illegal being it is a naturally growing
Marijuana on the other hand seems a little out of place in its classification as illegal. The source previously cited notes that, "Although it is classified as a Schedule I drug for regulatory purposes, it is clearly different pharmacologically from the opiate analgesics" (Rittenhouse 151). Also, recently a heated debate has arisen on the medicinal value of marijuana. Whether there is a definite use for marijuana is unclear, but there is surely no such debate concerning alcohol.
First of all, marijuana can have many positive effects on crime. Legalizing marijuana can actually decrease crime rates in the U.S. This past year, it was counted that 6.9 million people are inside the United States’ jails and prisons. 60,000 of these individuals were there for marijuana, according to one study. With the legalization of marijuana, it would cut the amount of taxes we pay for these jails and prisons, costing us a total of $1.2 billion.