Arguments Against Marijuana Legalization

In 1545, the Spanish brought marijuana to the New World. It was introduced in Jamestown in 1611, where it became a major commercial crop grown as an innocent source of fiber (specifically, hemp). By 1927, the production and possession of marijuana had been outlawed throughout the United States, causing a prohibition that is still in effect 80 years later. Since then, the world has seen the violent rise of drug cartels and the high price of fighting illegal marijuana use (Narconon). Marijuana should be legalized because significant research shows that legalization will benefit our society socially and economically.

Growing up, I’ve always been taught that drugs are bad, and my parents have always told me that there is nothing good to them. I remember taking D.A.R.E in fifth grade, learning how marijuana was bad for you and that you should go to jail if you use it. My teachers and parents were my role models though, so I took in everything they told me as a fact, until now. Now I realize that drugs are a good thing. Drugs are a way of life, and they are used by millions of people everyday. There are drugs such as advil, which is used to help patients who suffer from many things, including headaches and fevers. But the drug i’m talking about is marijuana.

How many times have you heard or read about legalizing marijuana in the last year? I have heard about it numerous times whether on TV, on the radio, on the Internet, or when reading a newspaper. Many people wants marijuana to be legalized and each has his or her own reason. Some of them want marijuana legalized to reduce drug related violence in southern states that border Mexico and in big cities such as Chicago. Others want marijuana legalized to offset the impact of the current rescission by generating additional revenues to states from collecting taxes on marijuana. Many people believe that marijuana is not a drug and that it’s simply a plant therefore it should be legal just like tobacco. Finally, there are people who

For many years there have been many people and organizations that do not want marijuana legalized, and there are also a lot of people and organizations that do want to legalize marijuana. It is has been shown by research that this is a drug, but also has benefits to help with health issues. The plant has been a called a miracle herb, which can help people lose weight, regulate and prevent diabetes, fight cancer, help depression, treat autism, regulate seizers and other benefits (Whitley, 2015) . However, these facts have not stopped many people being against marijuana usage.

In more recent history, the late 1900's were filled with important decisions by politicians regarding marijuana. During the Kennedy administration in the 1960's, Vietnam was a major issue, and the public, especially college students, turned to marijuana as a form of dissent. As this happened, enforcement lessened; courts dismissed marijuana charges or imposed only "modest fines." (Gerber) In 1960, there were only 169 marijuana related convictions in the entire United States. During this time, marijuana was seen more as an escape and protest. Time Magazine saw marijuana use as an attention worthy means of protest. (Time) Crime rates did not rise, and no major health problems had appeared to be caused by the drug. The 1962 White House Conference on Drug Abuse concluded that there was only "weak" evidence indicating that marijuana leads to using harder drugs. (Eldridge) At that point in time, it almost seems as if we were the closest we've ever been as a nation to decriminalizing the drug.

There is an intensive debate in society, today, about legalizing marijuana. Supporters of marijuana highlight that legalizing will not increase its consumption, and in fact will provide individuals with a legal choice. Opponents argue that legalizing marijuana will increase consumption, which would expose consumers to health risks as extreme as cancer. I believe marijuana should be legalized by the federal government. It is already being consumed in the society, and legalizing marijuana will facilitate monitoring its growth, usage, and help collect taxes. Marijuana has overwhelming support in the medical field as an alternate medicine. Also, marijuana will provide a legal alternative to individuals who rely on illegal and dangerous drugs, such as cocaine and heroin. Legalization will significantly reduce marijuana trafficking and curtail black market activities. Furthermore, legalizing will divert the cash stream from black markets to the states and the federal government, in the form of taxes. The additional revenue can be used to do additional research on

There is a lot of controversial arguments over whether the medical field should fully embrace the use of Medical Marijuana in the treatment of patients. There is evidence based practice that proves Medical Marijuana can help treat patients with signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, Breast Cancer, Diabetes, Glaucoma, Mesothelioma, Multiple Sclerosis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis. The lists are endless of benefits of how Medical Marijuana helps treat patient’s signs and symptoms. There is also arguments against using Medical Marijuana to treat patients. Arguments against the use of Medical Marijuana include: evidence based practice lack consistency, concerns over side effects, and that it interferes with memory, learning, judgment, and perception.

Marijuana has been used in religious ceremonies or for medical purposes for thousands of years. I have always been against the use of Marijuana up until four years ago when my husband at the age of twenty seven underwent invasive surgery on his knee and has never been the same since. Colorado took a huge step several years ago legalizing marijuana for medical use and in recent years took the plunge to legalize it for recreational use. Marijuana is not always a bad thing nor is it always a good thing. A lot of people will compare it to any other mind altering substance and have very valid points. I would rather have a loved one or myself smoke marijuana or ingest it, instead of popping pain pills or other harmful substances put on the market by the pharmaceutical industry; Recreational use can be safe and accepting if it is regulated correctly and used responsibly.

The legalization of marijuana and other controlled substances is a highly discussed and controversial topic. Opponents have generally repeated arguments formed from long lasting government propaganda in the past, and proponents have been working tirelessly to break down those preconceptions. There are many arguments for and against the legalization of marijuana, and in many ways it is the same discussion that led to the end of prohibition. Generally, the opposing arguments are geared toward moral standards and focus on correlation as causation; the arguments for legalization are generally based on university studies and case studies from other countries and states that have already legalized marijuana. This essay will attempt to dispel the

Marijuana, also known as ganja, mary jane, pot, and dope is widely used by teens and adults. Today, society has come a long way officially 23 states have legalized marijuana for medical purposes. Although many people believe that marijuana is a gateway drug, and has been discouraged by society, it has been proven that “less than 8% of Americans smoke marijuana versus 52% who drink and 27% of people that smoke tobacco cigarettes” (Moore). This concludes the idea that alcohol is the real gateway drug, and marijuana holds less side effects. Recreational marijuana use would not pose a massive threat to the health of humans the way that alcohol destroys internal organs. Legalizing marijuana would allow more research about the

Marijuana is the most used drug by teens and adults today. There are many strong arguments against the legalization of marijuana; there are also many valid reasons to legalize the drug. Although marijuana alters the natural brain functions like: memory, attentiveness, and coordination, keeping it illegal will not stop people from using the drug, but it imposes on other issues that need to be solved. With legalizing marijuana it would give law enforcement motive to focus on real crimes, the government would make a huge profit by taxing it, and it can also be beneficial for some medical needs.

Many people are opposed to the Adult Use of Marijuana Act for a variety of reasons. One such reason is that marijuana use can not be measured. “Unlike liquor,” George Skelton of the LA Times reports “there’s no 0.08% blood alcohol equivalent for marijuana. There’s not even a common Breathalyzer to measure drugged

We demand the release of all people imprisoned on marijuana charges and that their criminal records be expunged. We demand that all property seized in marijuana raids be returned to the rightful owners at once. We demand that our law enforcement officers make more efficient use of our tax dollars and use the resources they have at their disposal to go after violent criminals and crimes that actually have victims. We demand the right to grow marijuana for personal consumption, just as alcohol can be brewed at home legally and so long that it is not sold it should therefore remain untaxed. We demand that you stop treating us like second class citizens for consuming something that is less dangerous than alcohol and tobacco, both of which are legal and cause numerous deaths each year. Cannabis has never caused one. this was a statement made by the USMP (united states marijuana party).

In recent years we can see that many states in the United States like Colorado, California, Washington and many more in the process, voters have accepted to legalize marijuana for recreational purpose. Legalizing was supported by a majority of people due to its positive effects such as an increase in tax revenue, freeing up law enforcement resources and making trade more open. Given those arguments, the question is will the U.S be better off when it legalizes drugs? The supporters of legalization have argued that due to the unfair judgment of drug enforcement, minorities have been targeted a lot, which has led an increase in the number of people in juvenile and probation

Marijuana has become one of the most controversial drugs in America. Ever since its cultivation began around 1611, marijuana has puzzled people with its effects. Many question marijuana?s classification as a schedule one drug. A schedule one drug is one that has a high potential for abuse and no medicinal value. Some argue that the war on drugs, in particular marijuana, has cost taxpayers billions and is wasting funds that could be used on more important tasks such as improving transportation or education. As drug arrests rise, so do the populations in state prisons. This has become an immediate problem with no real solution. The legalization of possessing small amounts of marijuana can contribute positively to the medical and