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How legalizing marijuana impacts society in a positive way
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The Deviance of Marijuana Smokers Marijuana smokers were once considered regular members of society. In 1937 all that changed when marijuana was banned and made illegal. The smokers were labeled as deviants from then on. I studied marijuana smokers and discussed their deviance. I would like to see whether they are ordinary members of society or deviants. I want to answer the question, "is marijuana smoking a deviant behavior?" I answered my research question through the data I collected. The methods I used were, questions, surveys, and observation. I first interviewed marijuana smokers. I asked them questions about their smoking behavior, and also found out about their views and opinions. I collected data from nonsmokers as well, by asking them similar questions about the deviance of marijuana. Next I observed the smokers in action. I knew this would help me to better understand them. I was openly accepted and allowed to observe them. I played the role of researcher and as I later found out, as a friend. The data gave me insight into my research question because I got information from the smokers themselves as well as those who oppose them. The results from my data were quite an experience. From my questions I found out that marijuana smokers do not consider themselves deviants. They defend themselves by saying that they do not hurt anyone and that they do nothing wrong. This technique of neutralization is called denial of injury. They emphasize the medicinal values of marijuana, saying it can do some good to society. One said, "we are seen as losers, rejects of society." In reality anyone can be a smoker, a friend, relative, or even your neighbor. When they come across a fellow smoker, they see a friend they can relate to. They do not treat fellow smokers differently. They are however treated differently, sometimes negatively, when nonsmokers find out about their habits. Nonsmokers see marijuana smoking as a deviant behavior. To them smoking marijuana is considered a bad thing. They believe smoking hurts you and makes you do irresponsible things. I was told, "smokers are rebellious people who probably have family problems." Nonsmokers support their views by emphasizing the laws on marijuana. For the second phase of my data I studied marijuana smokers during a 'get together'. I was allowed to observe them during a routine smoking session. The smokers started out talking and joking around. The group consisted of long time friends, coworkers, and a few people that only saw
On August 2nd, 1937, United States president Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. The law was passed only 83 days after being introduced in the House of Representatives as House Resolution 6906. This law sought to place prohibitive regulations requiring medical professionals to obtain a one dollar tax stamp in order to continue prescribing cannabis sativa as medicine. However, physicians who wished purchase the tax stamp were also required to divulge an abnormal amount of detail regarding the patient, the condition being treated, the amount prescribed and the date of the prescription. Failure to follow these strict rules while prescribing marijuana resulted in harsh penalties to both the medical professional and the patient. According to the text of the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, “Any person who is convicted of a violation of any provision of this Act shall be fined not more than $2,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both, in the discretion of the court.”
There has always been controversy about marijuana and the affects it has on health and the issue of legalization. Some people believe it is very destructive to one’s health, and yet others feel the complete opposite about it. Is Marijuana truly harmful to one’s health? “Marijuana, the Deceptive Drug”, written by George Bierson, was published in the Massachusetts News. In this article, Bierson determines that marijuana is harmful in many ways. He seems to think that it damages the brain, the reproductive system, and also contributes to the halt of production in the immune system. Bierson also tries to persuade the reader that marijuana is a “gateway drug” that leads to larger drugs in the future. However, by conducting research of my own, I have come to the conclusion that Bierson’s article simply lacks truth.
Having been a Marijuana smoker for five years now, I do not consider myself a junkie, a drug addict, or a detriment to society. I smoke to meet people, and my closest friends were met through Marijuana. The wonderful and mysterious plant we call Cannabis should be embraced, not shunned, as it is today.
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. It has strong ties to the Libertarian party, the Drug Policy Foundation, and the American Civil Liberties Union. These groups use a variety of strategies, which range from outright legalization to de facto legalization under the guise of medicalization, control legalization through taxation. However, drugs like marijuana are addicting and should not be legalized. Marijuana should not be legalized because it can cause overwhelming damage to the society as a whole. As Bennett says, “Drug use- especially heavy drug use- destroys human character. It destroys dignity and autonomy, it burns away the sense of responsibility, it subverts productivity, it makes a mockery of virtue” (Husak 663). People throughout the nation have witnessed law changes regarding the possession of marijuana to its physical and social effects on society. Marijuana should not be legalized for the following reasons namely for the legal, physical, and social aspects of its use.
Have you ever smoked marijuana or do you know anyone who does? A. Many people smoke marijuana for the short term pleasure without knowing the long term impact on them. II. Reason to listen: A. The majority of the audience is young and is exposed the marijuana culture whether through media or real life experience. B.
In order to test my theory I was going to need to use a few different methods of obtaining data. The first method is for me to just use past experiences from my own life. I use marijuana on a regular basis and have friends who do as well, so this is a good base for looking at how people act when using the substance.
The debate between prohibitionists and citizens who believe in the legalization of illegal drugs provide many arguments. Since there are many drugs that are illegal there are many different arguments on what should be legal and what shouldn’t. The biggest debate, and the argument that I will mostly focus on, is the reform of marijuana. Prohibitionists argue that marijuana has adverse health, safety, social, academic, economic, and behavioral consequences (Goldberg 183). Not only do they claim that it causes all of those consequences but it also can cause harm to others including family and friends (Rachels 228). The obvious argument in harming others is driving under the influence of the drug but proh...
Merriam-Webster defines smoking as; to inhale and exhale the fumes of burning plant material and especially tobacco; especially: to smoke tobacco habitually. The key word in that definition would be habitually. One who smokes generally is addicted or formed a habit of smoking. Although distasteful to most people, those who smoke are generally willing to quit smoking yet they're unable to "kick the habit." Smokers understand how hard it is to quit. They admire those who were able to quit. We realize the risk of smoking and the obvious side effects that could result to death. Although all the studies show the death effect of smoking many of us are still unable to quit. In the essay, Phillip brought his girlfriend to a social gathering of which she pulled out a cigarette and started to smoke. The hostess apparently was not fond of smoking when she asked her to put it out or go outside. This started a big debate over smoking of which the smokers went outside and the non-smokers stayed inside. Phillip stayed inside although he should have gone with his girlfriend. He was unsure whose side he was on. He wasn't a smoker but he wasn't fully against it. Throughout the essay he was unsure of which side he should have been on. He discussed his opinion and stories that support both arguments.
... believes this to be very true. But the smokers do not want to be associated with the “pothead” stereotype. They want very much to destroy the connection of marijuana with the tie-dyed, hippy era. Society just assumes smokers are useless, lazy, uneducated bums; which is very inaccurate. There are many hard working people out there that smoke marijuana recreationally to relieve stress. First, this cannot be true because there are an inestimable amount of marijuana smokers that successfully keep their habit a secret. These people are able to blend with society, allowing them to make friends/acquaintances that don’t agree with smoking marijuana. People who use marijuana do not look negatively upon the rest of society. They relate and form bonds with the whole culture as normal people would.
In an the article titled medical use of marijuana the topic is that of people who uses marijuana for medical reasons verses those who uses it just because. There are indications that marijuana is sometimes used to alleviate pain from cancer, to reduce nausea from chemotherapy, and to mitigate the wasting syndrome of AIDS. Studies have suggested that the medical use of marijuana is common among people with HIV/AIDS (CAMJ). There was a survey that involved telephone interviews with Ontario male adults eighteen years and older and completed with 2508 people. In the weighted sample 49 respondents reported using marijuana for a medical reason in the year preceding the survey, a total of 173 respondents reported using marijuana, but not for medical reasons. The remaining 2305 respondents in the weighted sample reported no use of marijuana in the preceding year (CAMJ). In this article it was also stated that compared with nonusers, those who use marijuana for any reason tend to be younger, more likely to have alcohol problems and more likely to have used cocaine in their lifetime. Those who use marijuana for medical reasons were similar to other users but more likely to use cocaine. About 2 percent of the population can claim the right to use marijuana for medical reasons, considering their needs, confronts the growth of a system to make sure they have entry to quality-controlled marijuana for medical use and could increase arguments for decriminalization of marijuana for personal use. The use of marijuana for any reason was linked with a male, comparative youth, smoking cigarettes, a lot of drinking, and the use of cocaine (CAMJ). Additional research has to be performed to decide whether uses with alcohol, drugs and other lifestyle choices influence the want for marijuana use and viewpoint in its medical benefits.
...s look up to their peers and do whatever they do because they think it is the cool thing to do. Many times it is out of peer pressure that people try this drug to begin with. This can all be avoided if everyone is aware of the bad side effects that can occur in their bodies and what is in marijuana that will mess up their lives.
They do not consider the affect smoking might have on them and how that will affect their family and the environment. Cigarettes cause hundreds of thousands of unnecessary deaths each year, and that is why cigarettes need to be made illegal.
In the personal assessment, it asked a series of questions in regard to whether or not I was dependent to marijuana and alcohol. Basically, if I answered yes to any of the particular questions stated then I should indicate problematic use of marijuana and alcohol and should seek help. Based off the interpretation of the assessment it states that I do not have any problematic use with marijuana or alcohol.
The motive for smoking marijuana unlawfully depends on the user. Unlawful smoking of marijuana is done for several reasons; these include peer pressure, pressure from outside the peer group, the desire to relax, and the need to even identify themselves with popular media icons. The effects of the substance also cause symptoms that seem to be highly desirable. When smoking marijuana the user feels a sensation of exuberance, as ideas begin to flow more easily, creative and philosophical thinking emerges. Music becomes more appreciated as a deeper bond is felt. The user's awareness of their senses increase while a pleasant feeling takes over the body. In the end, an enhancement between mind ...
Second main cause of smoking is psychological which seems to be a very important factor for people to get the habit. One of the psychological situations which drive people to smoke is low self esteem. Low self esteem is linked not only to smoking but also other behavioral problems such as drinking. It leads to feeling like a dependent individual who can not make decisions for himself or herself and just follow the crowd. So one conclusion to be drawn from this aspect is that people with low self esteem tend to smoke by imitating the people that they see around themselves especially in public place...