Should Marijuana Legalized?

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Should Marijuana Be Decriminalized?

Since the dawn of our civilization there has been a prevalent undertone of drug utilization. Whether an antibiotic, tonic, stimulant, analgesic, anesthetic, opiate, anti-depressant or painkiller; drugs, whether medical or non-medical, have found themselves in the spotlight of our culture and in our societies. Our widespread multi-culture of drugs has become a nuance to the very backbone of our moralistic values as a county, as a population and as people. Specifically speaking, marijuana has become a thorn in the side of our culture. Debates on the legalization of this street drug have amplified as of late and have been an interest of both smokers and non-smokers. Either way, marijuana although very popular with many, common knowledge suggests that everything popular isn’t always the most beneficial. Marijuana should never be legalized. Legalization of marijuana could eventually lead to the legalization of many other pitiless activities. Marijuana is often used as a stepping-stone drug, leading to heroin, cocaine, or other harder drugs. Besides it being morally wrong, damage would be done to users that abuse the drug, especially young people.

According to Narconon International, Marijuana has been in existence since ancient times. Found in a Chinese medical reference, marijuana was described as an agent to achieve euphoria dated back from 2737 B.C. (Narconon, 2014) Sounds very innocent when stated in that fashion. Despite the ancient’s preference of utilizing marijuana, times have drastically changed. We were once a society whose value was held in its truth and morals. Our culture contained strict laws that were often followed in order that things flowed properly. Abortions were illegal, the...

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...e of their habit, roughness and wrongdoing, unemployment, under-employment, expanded illness,etc., is borne by whatever remains of us - and it is in the many billions yearly. (Gucciardi, 2007)

References:

Joffe, A., & Yancy, W. (2004). Legalization of Marijuana: Potential Impact on Youth. Pediatrics, 113(6), e632-e638.

Khamsi, R. (2013). Going to Pot. Scientific American, 308(6), 34-36.

"Why Marijuana?" Marijuana Info. Narconan International, 2010. Web. 20 Feb. 2014.

L. Johnson et al. 1981. Marijuana Decriminalization: The Impact on Youth 1975-1980. Monitoring the Future, Occasional Paper Series: Paper No. 13. Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan.

Gucciardi, A. (n.d.). Why is marijuana illegal? Retrieved from http://naturalsociety.com/why-is-marijuana-illegal-examining-the-health-aspects-of-cannabis/

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