Pros and Cons of Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Purposes Drug use among teenagers has doubled since the year 1992. Marijuana is undoubtedly the most popular; the quantity has risen, the price is cheaper, and more people are tempted to start. Illegal drug use and drug related crimes have killed 20,000 Americans yearly (Eldredge). Congress voted on the suggestion to legalize marijuana mainly for medical purposes and their votes concluded 310- 93 against the idea. Nevertheless, out of 100 Americans surveyed on that same concept, 93% of them were for legalization (Schmid). The argument over the legalization of pot for medical purposes or personal recreational use has been an ongoing controversy since 1972 (Nadelmann). Marijuana is currently the fastest growing in popularity amongst all illegal drugs. It was abused during the 1970- 80s, and is now becoming a bigger problem than before. Reportedly, 1/3 of Americans have admitted to trying marijuana on more than one occasion. Illegal drug production is a larger business than ever before. A big part of it is even produced right here in the United States (Nadelmann). Yet drug use is not necessarily drug abuse. Although it is not entirely safe, pot is one of the least dangerous psychoactive drugs. A judge from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) stated, " Marijuana, in it's natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active drugs known to man" (Eldredge). The government struggled with the decision of legalization and eventually decided to go against it (Schmid). Illegal drugs and drug related accidents kill tens of thousands yearly (Eldredge). Also the DEA estimates that Americans would be taxed greatly if marijuana were legalized, because legalization would cost up to $210 billion dollars in societal problems. Marijuana is responsible for destroying lives, tearing apart families, and communicational problems. 96% of youth arrested for crimes tested positive for marijuana. Drug users were 10 times more likely to commit a violent act. 28% of prisoners convicted of murder and 20% of those prisoners convicted of sexual assault were found to be addicted to pot. And marijuana has shown to be a "gateway" drug, which means it has great potential to lead users to "harder" more potent drugs. Congress also considered the fact that legalizing pot would almost be like an official sanction of safety. Marijuana can also be a major health hazard.
Marijuana is taken very lightly and is the most highly used illegal drug. In fact, 1 out of 7 high school students smoke marijuana more than once a day. For this reason, society should know its short and long term effects on the brain. Marijuana can effect these two areas emotionally or physically. Also in some cases physical damages causes the emotional response. Although most public information on drugs are funded by anti-drug organizations, hopefully we will still learn these true facts of marijuana in spite of that.
Legalization of Marijuana has quickly become a controversial issue in America. In the United States, legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes is spreading to the state level. For example, in November 1996, the people of California and Arizona voted to legalize marijuana for medicinal reasons. As a result of Proposition 215 in California, patients now smoke marijuana provided their physician recommends its usage. A prescription is not required, and marijuana continues to be illegal to prescribe. The Clinton administration responded that it “would not recognize these decisions, and would prosecute physicians who recommend or provide marijuana to their patients.” Although California and Arizona are the only two states to have already passed laws regulating marijuana usage, twenty-six states and the District of Columbia have laws and resolutions regarding marijuana usage. These laws and resolutions range from establishing therapeutic research programs, to allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana, to asking the federal government to lift the ban. Despite the states’ desires to have marijuana legalized for medicinal purposes, the US National Institutes of Health examined all existing clinical evidence about smoked marijuana and concluded that, “There is no scientifically sound evidence that smoked marijuana is medically superior to currently available therapies.”
Marijuana is commonly referred to as a drug, which associates it with substances such as ecstasy, cocaine, meth, etc. The fact is that Marijuana does not have a lethal effect on the body, where as drugs like cocain and meth can be lethal even on first use. Even drugs that aren't illegal are more dangerous than marijuana. Alcohol and cigar...
Throughout history people have used marijuana for its dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds to relieve pain, stress, and other medical issues from one’s life. Within the recent years it has become one of the most debated issues in the United States. In the 1930s, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Narcotics (now the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs) claimed that marijuana was a “gateway” drug and was a powerful, addicting substance. During the sixties marijuana became a symbol for rebellion against authority so it became very popular by college students and “hippies”. So in 1982, Drug Enforcement Administration increased pressure on drug farms and houses which decreased the use of marijuana. In the past twenty years marijuana has become a
Marijuana is the cause of much commotion and debate, as the question of legalization becomes more of an issue. Drugs are a major influential force in countries all over the world today. Legalization is an option that has not had a chance, but really should be given one. Although many people feel that legalizing marijuana would increase the amount of drug use, legalization would benefit for the following reasons: 1)reduction of money spent on law enforcement 2)increase in the countries revenue 3)lessen crime 4)useful in treating certain medical conditions. Many feel today we are losing the war on drugs.
The legalization of marijuana has been a highly debated topic for many of years. Since the first president to the most recent, our nation’s leaders have consumed the plant known as weed. With such influential figures openly using this drug why is it so frowned upon? Marijuana is considered a gateway drug, a menace to society, and mentally harmful to its consumers. For some people weed brings a sense of anxiety, dizziness, or unsettling feeling. Like alcohol, tobacco or any other drug, those chemicals may not respond well with their body. For other people marijuana brings joy, a sense of relief, and takes the edge off of every day stress. For those who are associated with cannabis, purposes usually range from a relaxant, or cash crop, to more permissible uses such as medicine, and ingredient to make so many other materials. We now need to look at what would change if marijuana were legal. Benefits to the economy and agriculture, health issues, and crime rates are three areas worth looking at. Deliberating on the pros and cons of this plant we can get a better understanding for marijuana. From there it will be easier to make a clear consensus on what is best for the nation.
...alcohol. Also marijuana is not a gateway drug since studies have shown that is does not lead to more harmful and dangerous drugs. Additionally, marijuana is a safer substance than tobacco since no individuals have died from marijuana use while hundreds of thousands of people have died from tobacco. Research has proven that each of these ideas should not be used to argue against the legalization of marijuana.
Marijuana is so popular that an An estimated one out of every three people in the US have tried it. Around 44% of US high school students have smoked it. Marijuana users are not easily detectable, nor is the drug just used in one area of the body. society. The.
The debate on Medical marijuana has been a controversial subject mainly because people have an abundance of opinions and very little scientific research to back up either side of the debate. The most important question here is “will medical marijuana be used for medical purposes or will it be used inappropriately?”
Introduction The legalization of marijuana is considered a controversial issue, something that can benefit people for medical purposes, but what about recreationally? Marijuana has been illegal since 1937, but there’s never been a bigger push for legalization. There are several reasons why it is illegal, because of government propaganda and big industry not wanting to lose money, but this will be discussed later. The purpose of this paper is to educate, theorize, and discuss various aspects of marijuana, such as its history, development, and the advantages and disadvantages of marijuana legalization. Finally, my personal reflection on legalization and marijuana in general will be discussed.
Marijuana is the third most common leisure drug in the United States after alcohol and tobacco. Millions of Americans smoke marijuana despite the strict laws against its use. Marijuana is less dangerous compared to tobacco or alcohol. Smoking marijuana can cause breathing problems and coughing just like cigarettes and some people get addicted after using for a while. Regulating and legalizing marijuana will bring Americas greatest cash crop under law, create economic opportunities and jobs in the formal economy as opposed to the underground market. Adopting a legally controlled market for marijuana will ensure that consumers buy the products from a safe and legal source. Marijuana has been approved in some states for medical uses to ease the effects of different health challenges. Colorado and Washington legalized m...
...ism of doing so. To some critics marijuana is considered a gateway drug leading to harder drugs such as cocaine, LSD, and heroin which does cause many health problems, addiction, and death. Also, doctors have seen patients dependent on marijuana and withdrawal symptoms similar to other illicit drugs. Not only that but marijuana is also a depressant and affects all types of relationships. Marijuana also affects your alertness, motor skills, and perception negatively. There is also the fear that the drug cartels in Mexico will not really be affected by the legalization of marijuana and will start to target teenagers with harder drugs such as cocaine and heroin. This could lead to people in the country wanting all drugs to be a legalized to counter the cartels which would negatively impact the country as marijuana doesn’t have the repercussions other illicit drugs do.
For thousands of years human beings have attempted to find ways to get passed the struggles of their lives. With the pain of the world stopping people from enjoying simple pleasures, sometimes there is a need for help. Marijuana brings millions of people relief from the pain they feel on a day-to-day basis. This completely natural plant which helped so many people has puzzled the leaders of our nation for a long time. The THC in marijuana causes its users to experience a mild-huluciginic or high. The effect that marijuana has on a person has prevented the product from being legalized. Many other details about the plant, like the speculation of it being a gateway drug, have put another blockage on its legalization. Even though there are speculations about the plant, the benefit that it brings to the table most definitely out way its disadvantages. Marijuana can also alleviate several symptoms associated with cancer and Aids treatments and disorders. While Marijuana is effective as a medicine, it is also extremely lucrative. The economic benefits that Marijuana brings to the table are endless. Upon marijuana’s legalization, the economy would experience an immediate influx. Legalization of Marijuana would also drastically reduce crime in our cities and form a more productive society through its positive uses. The benefits that marijuana brings medically and economically are considerable enough to legalize its use medically or recreational.
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
In the perspective of America's war on drugs, marijuana is one of the biggest enemies. And since alcohol and tobacco, two life threatening substances, are legal it is a relevant question to ask why marijuana is illegal. The taxpayers of America can partly answer this question when they fill out their tax forms and when they hear the hash rhetoric used against marijuana by the government. The fact that marijuana is illegal is sufficiently caused by the amount of money, jobs, and pride invested in the drug war. In other words, the government cannot turn back now.