The Argumentr Regardingf The Decriminalization Of Cannabis

The Argument Over the Decriminalization of Cannabis

The majority of Americans choose the same issues as the most threatening to the nation. Invariably among these one will see “drugs” as a major concern of most Americans. There is speculation that this is due to a perceived association between drugs and crime (Inciardi 1). A good deal of the argument over government policy towards drugs centers on the least unhealthy and most socially accepted of the illegal drugs, marijuana.

Marijuana, scientifically known as Tetrahydrocannabinol, belongs to its own group among other legal and illegal drugs. It is neither a narcotic, such as heroin, nor a stimulant, such as caffeine or tobacco, nor a depressant, such as alcohol. The cannabis plant is thought to have grown originally in Asia, though it was also discovered upon the settling of North America. Its leaves, when smoked, instigate physiological reactions. When the active chemical in cannabis, THC, enters the bloodstream through the lungs and reaches the brain, it triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that induces pleasure (Gettman). This causes several effects upon the user, such as increased sensitivity of the senses, a dry mouth, the inability to keep a train of thought, and fits of laughter, among others.

Cannabis remains a legal though partially restricted substance in several countries. The Netherlands, for example, has mostly decriminalized cannabis. Portugal and Spain recently partially decriminalized the possession and use of recreational cannabis. However, in the United States, the possession of cannabis or any paraphernalia is expressly illegal. While no major legislation has been proposed to decriminalize the recreational use of cannabis, the United States government has commissioned several studies regarding the properties of cannabis and its effects, and also has considered bills permitting the medicinal use of marijuana.

Cannabis was prevalent in America for much of the 18th and 19th centuries. Many apothecaries and doctors proscribed medications containing cannabis. Until 1941, cannabis was part of the United States pharmacopoeia. However, in the early 20th century, public opinion swung and cannabis was characterized as an evil and ...

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...a will certainly continue longer than that. However, the fact remains that a drug recognized as physically safer and more beneficial than nicotine and alcohol has caused millions of imprisonments, billions of federal dollars, and several lives. However, we are only left to wonder if the prohibition of marijuana today will one day seem as trivial is our prohibition of alcohol was during the early 20th century.

Works Cited

Baggins, David Sadofsky. Drug Hate and the Corruption of American Justice.

Westport, CT : Praeger, 1998.

Fish, Jefferson M. How to Legalize Drugs. Northvale, NJ : Jason Aronson, Inc.,

1998.

Gettman, Jon. “Physiological Effects of Cannabis Consumption”. The Medical

Feasibility of Marijuana. 8 Dec. 2000. Whitman College. <http://www.whitman.edu/offices_departments/biology/Stuproj/YoungB/ index.html>. Gieringer, Dale. “NORML Report on Marijuana Prohibition”. National

Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws Homepage. 8 Dec. 2000.

NORML. <http://www.norml.org/facts/index.shtml>.

Inciardi, James A. The Drug Legalization Debate. Thousand Oaks, CA : Sage

Publications, 1999.

Rubin, Vera. Cannabis and Culture. The Hague : Mouton Publishers, 1975.