The legalization of marijuana, both recreationally and medically, has taken the United States by storm in recent years. A flash back to 1996 shows California as the only state in the entire nation to legalize marijuana (medically). Since then, twenty-nine additional states (and the district of Columbia) have legalized cannabis in some type of form (Governing). This type of rapid reform is causing advocates against legalization to sweat. One of these organizations called CALM, Citizens Against Legalizing Marijuana, “is an all-volunteer Political Action Committee dedicated to defeating any effort to legalize marijuana” (CALM). This advocate group takes a firm stance in their belief that marijuana will only cause problems if legalized. CALM makes …show more content…
75-year-old Carla Lowe, founder of CALM, has been a lifelong advocate against drugs in American society. As a substitute teacher in the 1970’s, Lowe recalled her first interaction with marijuana during class when “these kids with long hair kept giggling in the back of the class” (Haglage). Lowe created the Citizens Against Legalization of Marijuana after she began to notice her own son had started to exhibit signs of cannabis use. After concern with her son, she has made claims about how teenagers like her son “are smoking god knows what and thinking it's ok. Nobody is getting pure marijuana” (Haglage). This is a logical argument, as it would not be a safe decision to consume anything without knowing if it comes from a safe source. However, to say that we can completely prevent people from indulging in the use of marijuana is a complete and utter misconception. With legalization comes regulation and inspection, which prevents any unintended substances included in the cannabis plant itself. This includes other drugs like cocaine, K2, or even methamphetamine. As well as promoting clean marijuana, legalization would prevent minors under the age of twenty-one from obtaining this product. In the municipal code regarding legalization of cannabis in the city of Capitola, California, it focuses on how it is their first priority “to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the residents and businesses within the city by regulating the sales, cultivation and processing of marijuana” (Code Publishing). CALM talks about their concern for the safety of citizens regarding sale of marijuana, but the only absolute way to ensure the sale of “pure marijuana” is to have it legalized, so the government can enforce safety protocol during production and distribution. Essentially, the laws put into place would make the sale of marijuana
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.”
Also known as California Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 made headlines around the country as the first law ever to change the legality of medical marijuana for public consumption statewide. Originating in San Francisco, it was passed by 55.6% of California voters on November 5, 1996 (Human Rights and the Drug War). The ideology behind passing Prop. 215 is that marijuana contains a number of legitimate medical uses and should be made available to those who would benefit from it. The text of the proposed law states that “seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes where that medical use is deemed appropriate” (NORML, 2009). All patients possessing a reasonable amount of marijuana are protected and may use it at any time as long as it is done privately. However, before patients can begin using marijuana they must seek approval from a physician who are also protected under the law and cannot be persecuted for issuing a recommendation. The authors also realized there would need to be a safe and reliable source to obtain marijuana and intended Prop. 215 to encourage both “the federal and state governments to implement a plan to provide for the safe and affordable distribution of marijuana” (NORML). In addition to purchasing it, Prop. 215 also allows patients to cultivate their own plants but strictly for personal use only. Any evidence of distributing marijuana or growing more plants than needed for personal use carries a high risk of prosecution.
Legalization or decriminalization of marijuana is opposed by a vast majority of American’s and people around the world. Leaders in Marijuana prevention, education, treatment, and law enforcement adamantly oppose the substance, as do many political leaders. However, pro-drug advocacy groups, who support the use of illegal drugs, are making headlines. They are influencing decision making thru legislation and having a significant impact on the national policy debate here in the United States and in other countries. The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) is the oldest drug user lobby in the U.S.
Lately it seems that drug policy and the war on drugs has been in the headlines quite a lot. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the policies that the United States government takes against illegal drugs are coming into question. The mainstream media is catching on to the message of organizations and individuals who have long been considered liberal "Counter Culture" supporters. The marijuana question seems to be the most prevalent and pressed of the drugs and issues that are currently being addressed. The messages of these organizations and individuals include everything from legalization of marijuana for medical purposes, to full-unrestricted legalization of the drug. Of course, the status quo of vote seeking politicians and conservative policy makers has put up a strong resistance to this "new" reform lobby. The reasons for the resistance to the changes in drug policies are multiple and complex. The issues of marijuana’s possible negative effects, its use as a medical remedy, the criminality of distribution and usage, and the disparity in the enforcement of current drug laws have all been brought to a head and must be addressed in the near future. It is apparent that it would be irresponsible and wrong for the government to not evaluate it’s current general drug policies and perhaps most important, their marijuana policy. With the facts of racial disparity in punishment, detrimental effects, fiscal strain and most importantly, the history of the drug, the government most certainly must come to the conclusion that they must, at the very least, decriminalize marijuana use and quite probably fully legalize it.
Ever since marijuana’s introduction to the United States of America in 1611, controversy of the use and legalization of the claimed-to-be Schedule I drug spread around the nation. While few selective states currently allow marijuana’s production and distribution, the remaining states still skepticize the harmlessness and usefulness of this particular drug; therefore, it remains illegal in the majority of the nation. The government officials and citizens of the opposing states believe the drug creates a threat to citizens due to its “overly-harmful” effects mentally and physically and offers no alternate purposes but creating troublesome addicts hazardous to society; however, they are rather misinformed about marijuana’s abilities. While marijuana has a small amount of negligible effects to its users, the herbal drug more importantly has remarkable health benefits, and legalizing one of the oldest and most commonly known drugs would redirect America’s future with the advantages outweighing the disadvantages.
Proposition 64 was recently passed in California making recreational marijuana use legal. California has been among the few states that have taken this step towards accepting marijuana so far. Recreational marijuana use was not commonly accepted and was looked down upon until doctors found medical benefits in marijuana and proved it was not as harmful as the majority thought previously. The battle between whether this drug is harmful or helpful is still relevant today. Over the years, the population’s support for the legalization of marijuana has increased. Although the court case Gonzales v. Raich shows lack of support for the advancement of marijuana on the federal level, other state cases such as California Proposition 215, which allows
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.
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.
Many people say that marijuana should not be legalized in the United States, however, another percentage of the society says that marijuana should be legalized. Those who agree and disagree need to inform themselves about the pros and cons of marijuana. It is very important to see different point of views from each side because there are several consequences and benefits that the use of marijuana can cause. Legalizing marijuana can be dangerous because many people are not informed of the diseases they can get from using drugs. In most cases people try marijuana to see how it feels and how their bodies react, but there are many who try it once and they keep on doing it very often. Marijuana should not be legalized in the United States because
Marijuana will benefit tremendously on boosting tax revenues. On September 12th, 2014 an article entitled “ Marijuana Legalization: Pros And Cons” from Portland Tribune written by Peter Wong. Wong reports over the debate of Earl Blumenauer, a U.S Representative and Josh Marquis, a district attorney. Marquis argues we should keep the law the same and leave it how it is. On the other hand Blumenauer states were wasting tax dollars and even failing to protect children from it. In his article Peter Wong quotes U.S Representative Earl Blumenauer. Blumenauer states ,” We are wasting your tax dollars on failed Prohibition…”(qtd. In Wong 1). This is a cultural shift happening right in front of us. There is money being thrown down the drain and drug
The Pros and Cons of Drug Legalization Should drugs be legalized? Drugs are resources that are capable of affecting the American economy in many ways—both positively and negatively. Drugs often have a bad name, even though they help us everyday in medical cases. and the drugs with the worst reputations are not the most abused drugs. One may benefit from the legalization of drugs in many ways, while others would suffer greatly.
A major argument of those in favor of the legalization of marijuana is that there are absolutely no negative health effects resulting from the usage of cannabis, but this could not be farther from the truth. Every day, teens and adults seriously impair their judgment skills, learning skills, motor skills, and other important brain functions necessary to complete basic everyday tasks. However, those who regularly participate in the usage of marijuana seem to be completely unaware of these effects on the brain and the rest of the body. Despite these blatant health issues directly related to the usage of marijuana, laws are becoming more and more lenient on the production, sales, and usage of cannabis. This is absolutely absurd, as there is no simply no reason for the government to authorize the usage of a literal poison to the masses. The negative health effects of marijuana are many, and put those who often use marijuana at extreme risk later on in their lives.
Despite the 1976 ruling by the federal government that marijuana has “no acceptable medical use”, sixteen states have passed medical marijuana laws that allow for patient use o...
The drug marijuana has been around for many years. Until recently, the public opinion for the most part has been one of no tolerance. People were once appalled by marijuana and the drug was closely associated with many sketchy practices like gangs and criminals. But within the last few years, a trend has started that is shifting American’s minds into thinking that marijuana isn't so bad after all (Galston and Dionne Jr.). Many activists are pushing for the legalization of the drug for both medical and recreational purposes. Let’s start with medical marijuana. According to procon.org, there are twenty-three states where the use of medical marijuana is legal. Twenty of these states require the user to live in state (“23 Legal
In the mean streets of Los Angeles, marijuana is often called, “weed”, “pot”, “grass”, “tree”, “mary jane”, and many others. The plant that makes people either unite or divide. It has always been a very controversial topic that America’s been fighting through years. Drug wars, protests and speeches were heavily announced during the high of its peak during the 1960’s. Many influential people joined and fought for what they believed was right. Unfortunately, their words and battle towards the legalization of marijuana have not quite take place just yet. On a lighter note, pro-marijuana movement are continually crusading with high hopes on their goals. Their argument of its medical purposes have been clinically proven -- yet the drug is still commonly mistaken as a very deadly and evil drug. People who suffer from anorexia, AIDS, cramp and other illnesses are now seeking for other alternatives besides the very expensive traditional drugs given to them. Police and the law take possession and being under the influence of marijuana and may be ch...