Legalizing Marijuana, An Ethical Perspective

The topic of legalizing recreational marijuana in the United States has been a very controversial one. States such as Colorado and Washington have gone on the offensive and have legalized recreational marijuana and have enjoyed the high revenues brought in from cannabis sale. On the other hand other states have kept low profiles because they are wary of the possible negative outcomes of legalizing recreational marijuana and are using the states of Colorado and Washington as guinea pigs to see what their next course of action on this controversial topic should be. This is not only a highly debated topic among politicians, but also by the people. According to a poll conducted by the Pew Research Center 52% of Americans

In 1974, High Times magazine was founded (Marijuana Legalization Timeline). In the 1980s, first lady Nancy Reagan started the “Just Say No” campaign to influence children to resist peer pressure to use illegal drugs (Marijuana Legalization Timeline). In 1980, arrests were predominantly for marijuana (seventy percent); marijuana possession offenses alone accounted for fifty-eight percent of the total drug possession arrests (MacCoun 24-25). The price of marijuana has increased quite a bit since 1980 (MacCoun 31). For twenty years, seventy to eighty percent opposed marijuana legalization (MacCoun 48-49). In 1996, California became the first state to legalize the medical use of marijuana after marijuana became a controlled substance in the U.S. Marijuana has been shown to be therapeutic in treating patients with glaucoma, AIDS, and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (At Issue). In 1999, the Institute of Medicine conducted a review of the potential health benefits and risks (Marijuana Legalization Timeline). The report concluded that cannabis is useful for pain relief, control of nausea and vomiting, and appetite stimulation (Marijuana Legalization Timeline). Despite this observation, marijuana is still stated to be harmful to the lungs (Marijuana Legalization Timeline). On March 19, 2009, Attorney General Eric Holder announced the Justice Department will not prosecute pot dispensaries that are operating

Possession and use of cannabis, also commonly known as marijuana, is considered illegal. For years marijuana has been an illegal “drug” in most countries. In today’s world a few countries have legalized cannabis while others are still progressing toward it. In particular, small amount of marijuana have been allowed in places such as Europe, North America and South America. In the United States in particular, states such as Washington and Colorado have also legalized the usage of marijuana for medical/recreational purposes. On the other hand, numerous penalties are enforced pertaining the use or possession of cannabis where it is not legal. The chance of the penalties being small are seldom; offenders often receive severe punishments. Possession of small quantities of marijuana is not punished the same way as possession of large quantities of other illegal narcotics. In this essay, there will be an in-depth argument on the reasons why cannabis should be legalized, and why it should not.

Society’s view of the legalization of marijuana is rapidly changing. Many states have accepted cannabis as a valuable form of medicine, and some states have legalized its use for recreational purposes. Citizens operating within the parameters of established law should have the legal right to grow marijuana. Restricting adults from the independent choice to cultivate this plant creates unnecessary issues for both medical patients and recreational users, as well as a strain on the judicial system.

"Marijuana is the second most popular drug after alcohol in the country today. So many people smoke marijuana that the numbers alone seem to legitimize and condone its presence in people's lives. Yet, even in moderation marijuana is not 'safe.' Somehow this information had not filtered down to people who think they are smoking a fairly innocuous drug. Our society perpetuates the myths about pot being a fun, harmless, recreational drug. These myths feed into people's denial of marijuana's problems" (Baum 6). However, the abuse of marijuana is a problem. It is not only a personal problem, but also more importantly a social problem. Throughout history marijuana has been used to serve various purposes in many

The NORML Foundation is a 501 ©(3) non-profit organization based in Washington, DC. Established in 1997, the NORML Foundation’s mission is to thoroughly educate the public regarding the cost of cannabis prohibition moreover they offer alternative advantageous cannabis policy options. Also providing legal aid to individuals who have been victimized by cannabis-related criminal penalties established under current laws. The NORML Foundation has devoted its time on to researching several relevant aspects of cannabis and cannabis policy implication. As an organization that provides cannabis related educational, research and legal services; NORML is working towards the legalization of cannabis nationwide. With guidelines that promote responsible

Did you know that almost half of the population in the United States belongs in jail, according to the law on marijuana? It’s true. In 2008 Time Magazine reported that researchers had found more than 42% of people surveyed in the United States had tried marijuana at least once (Lynch, 2008). So if marijuana use is so common in the United States, why should it not be legalized? In this paper I will discuss both the supporting and opposing positions on the legalization of marijuana. I will also explore the moral and ethical views for legalizing marijuana.

Marijuana is the third most popular recreational drug in America behind only alcohol and tobacco, and is estimated that nearly 80 million Americans use it at least one occasion.   According to government surveys, some 20 million Americans have smoked marijuana in the past year, and more than 11 million do so regularly despite harsh laws against its use. Being used for medicinal purposes or simply for recreational, there are not only laws to consider when the topic of legalization comes up but also ethical concerns as well. For this paper I will outline some of the uses for this drug and some of the benefits of its use. I will apply the

I will take a look at different ethical aspects of the legalization of marijuana, using data provided and studies from the past, I will attempt to further convey my stance as being pro-legalization of marijuana.

Ethical pertains to right and wrong in conduct; Legal is permitted by the law. These definitions tie together with this article because it is an unjust law. Legalization of marijuana has quickly become a controversial issue in America today. The article explains that Marijuana is legalized in various states but it is not ethical. It states that all Americans have their own understanding on the legalization of marijuana, yet they must certainly need to have done extensive research on previous practices the American society as a whole have experienced from the illegal experience from this substance. Also, the article says that the current industry group LPs is trying to adopt a code of ethics that mandates the commitment to safety, and avoidance

There are many “ethical situations” in our society on which various people have various different opinions. The legality of marijuana is one such situation in the society regarding the morals and ethics. It is argued worldwide by

In the United States the legalization of marijuana has been one of the most controversial topics around the country. It is controversial to many people because under federal law the drug “marijuana” is illegal. However due to the positive medical purposes of the drug, under state law marijuana is legal in certain states either medically or recreationally. When you look back at this history of our country, we have been through many periods of growth, expansion, and prohibition. Topics such as the legalization of alcohol, and gay marriage have similarities with the legalization of marijuana because of the simple fact that these changes in society impact the way individuals live their lives. The benefits that this drug can bring to the country have sparked some interest from different scholars studying the topic. However, the negatives influences of the drug have brought up arguments that go against the legalization of marijuana. These issues with the drug can ultimately lead to major health issues, and more adolescent usage. This paper will review different schools of thought about why states in America have legalize marijuana have legalized marijuana medically and recreationally. To answer this question I took the method in choosing three different states in the country to look at the views and laws of marijuana. Each states in America has different needs, and laws. Looking into each individual state gives the best answer to why more and more states are starting

Marijuana is a psychoactive drug that comes from cannabis leaves, stems, flowers, or seeds. It is the most illegally used drug in the United States. The statistics of young adults and teenagers usage have lowered throughout the past years, however the amount of people who believe ‘marijuana is not risky,’ have increased. ( Abuse, National Institute on Drug. ) With the increase usage of marijuana in modern society, many people want to have the drug legalised. If the drug were to become legal, what would the restrictions be? The topic has a great division and diverse opinions and statements, however, even if there were to be more positive outlooks of legalising marijuana, the negatives create quite the difference.

Szalavitz (2011) describes findings that the combined effects of taking marijuana with opioids reduces the need for drugs that carry both tolerance formation with increased use, and the potential for deadly overdose. What this suggests in Mankiw's terms is Principle 3, where "people make choices at the

in “Marijuana Facts” 1). From an outsider’s perspective, one has to ask why is there so much tension and hesitation in legalizing marijuana? If alcohol is the direct cause of many deaths, while marijuana has not been responsible for any, it only makes sense that our health would not be our greatest concern in legalizing the drug. Also, it is important to understand marijuana consumption is less susceptible to overuse than alcohol or other drugs (Marijuana 10:477). Despite this, critics often argue that marijuana is a gateway to other more potent and harmful drugs. According to Dr. Halbach of the World Health Organization there is no pharmacological link between cannabis and opiates (Marijuana 10:477). This demonstrates the physiological unlikelihood of marijuana being a stepping-stone to other more potent drugs containing opiates. Marijuana does have drawbacks and side effects, as any other drug whether medicinal or recreational. However, putting the drug in perspective helps one to understand the contradiction in legalizing other drugs while continuing to ignore marijuana even though it can beneficial in different capacities.