Legalizing Marijuana Argument Essay

In America there are a lot of problems, ranging from violence to obesity. A growing concern of many Americans is the drug “epidemic” with the growth of the war on drugs. Marijuana, throughout history, has been demonized and illegalized, however now a newfound acceptance of the drug is growing rapidly with some states fully legalizing the drug recreationally, and others medically.

First, from 1900 to 1940, marijuana, including opium and cocaine were considered part of everyday drugs. As time went on, the U.S. cracked down on crack and opium, eventually outlawing them, but continued to be very “loose” with the use of marijuana. Hoxter a weed smuggler explains how he began in the 1960’s trying weed and years later saw himself unloading four hundred pounds of pot in Vancouver. The story of this man ends in his isolation and argument of why he couldn’t smoke weed even if he stopped selling? He asked a parole officer and she didn’t know what to respond. It is true what Hoxter states, fifty years ago alcohol was illegal and now it’s not, was it bad then? Will weed be legalized? And will the conflicts have been in vain? (Schou 8). Around the late 90’s and early 2000’s, scientific studies started to produce jaw-dropping results. Scientists started to discover that marijuana can significantly help people who have become ill. Medical Marijuana has been tested to help people with cataracts, cancer and severe depression (Zeese 1999). With this new worldwide discovery, the argument about medical marijuana ignited. States wanted to only make medical marijuana legal so it may help sick people, but the government did not want any form of marijuana legal. The law that was known throughout the United States was any form of marijuana was illegal. But now with this new discovery, doctors in states across the country want the

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.

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.

A controversial social topic surrounding our time has been the issue of legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes. Cannabis sativa, also known as marijuana, was classified by the United States government as a class I drug in 1970, which means that it is against the law to possess and distribute this illegal substance (Source 2). However, in recent years, many states have made marijuana more accessible for medical and recreational use. States such as Colorado and Washington have not just decriminalized possession and distribution, but have enacted laws that encourage the recreational use of cannabis. Around 100 million Americans have experienced this drug (Source 1). Essentially one in four Americans

The subject of marijuana legalization has been an exceedingly popular discussion topic in recent years and, as time goes on, only seems to grow more popular. This discussion has resulted in many arguments that support marijuana’s legalization. One popular argument says that since alcohol is worse for you, and alcohol is legal, marijuana should be legalized. However, this argument that marijuana should be legalized because marijuana’s effects when consumed or smoked are better than those of alcohol is a purposeless argument. This argument fails to consider the many negative effects marijuana would have on the individual, environment, and, society.

Throughout America, the legalization of Marijuana has sparked a mark of controversy. Major states such as California and Nevada legalized Marijuana for medical purposes. Although cannabis has been linked to harmful effects in recent history, it’s true effects are slowly resurfacing with new ideas. Unfortunately, heavy criticism arises as the stereotypical view of the “pot smoker” still associates. The pot smoker was seen as an unproductive and uneducated individual in society, exposed by propaganda and assumptions created by private interests who intent to make cannabis illegal for their own benefit. With personal background of cannabis, marijuana should be legalized for all uses.

There are many things that have been debated on for years and the people still haven’t come close to a decision. Among these topics is the legalization of marijuana. Marijuana also referred to as cannabis has become this big controversy topic dividing the nation into two. One side is all for the legalization of marijuana, others are very against it. I for one am all for the legalization of marijuana because it can be used to better one’s medical and mental state.

Abraham Lincoln spoke of prohibition as an “attempt to control a man’s appetite by legislation and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes” (Lincoln). The prohibition and eventual repeal of the prohibition of alcohol taught the United States a valuable lesson about making essentially non-harmful entities illegal. Yet, even today the current prohibition on marijuana reforms has put the United States in a similar situation. Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug in the United States. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, “95 million Americans age 12 and older have tried "pot" at least once, and three out of every four illicit-drug users reported using marijuana within the previous 30 days” (ONDCP). The decriminalization and eventually legalization for the recreational use of marijuana will bring forth benefits in all aspects of life in the United States. Many oppose the idea of marijuana legalization, but there is strong evidence to support the endless benefits its of legalization. 1. For starters, cannabis is proven to not be a life-threatening drug. 2. Furthermore, legalization will result in enormous societal benefits such as tax benefits, decreased criminal behavior, and the creation of new jobs and businesses. 3. Ultimately, the legalization of marijuana will bring forth safeguards and regulations to help insure the safe use and regulation of the product.

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

When it comes to controversial topics, none has stirred the “pot” more than the legalization of marijuana. It is one of the primary focuses on the War on Drugs. Many people use it recreationally. In recent years marijuana has become a medical breakthrough with a potential to treat conditions including pain and nausea caused by HIV/AIDS, cancer, Alzheimer’s and other conditions. Over the years, it has gained a tremendous amount of public support. Two states, Colorado and Washington, have already legalized the use of marijuana (Sanders, 2014). California could be next in line to legalize marijuana in 2016. It could be a matter of time before we see marijuana legal in all fifty states. The United States policy makers need to be more open-minded and understand that marijuana is not as health-threatening as they think it is, and should consider legalizing it because of its medical value and many more positive attributes.

The word marijuana scares a lot of people in today’s society. The Government has influenced the American people to automatically assume all who smoke pot are considered criminals and villains. The Government hides from people the good side effects the drug has on many individuals who have been diagnosed with a variety of serious ailments. The current drug laws are doing more harm than good. Legalizing marijuana would benefit our society in many ways. It is unfair and unjust to treat marijuana users more harshly under the law than the users of alcohol or tobacco.

To blaze or not to blaze? The legalization of marijuana is a key component in the development of our society. It comes with medical benefits, saves government funds, and creates a safer community for our people.

I think that the federal government should be equal to the state governments because sometimes you will run into a problem with the law when something is legal in a state but not federally. One example of this would be the legalization of cannabis in the state of California for recreational/medical use it is against federal law. which makes it confusing to know whether or not you are breaking the law. Also, it makes it difficult to move to some other states in the united states like Texas, Idaho, Florida, Oklahoma ETC. Because all those states do not have any laws that legalize cannabis in any way. So if you were to move there and you do cannabis for medical or recreational reasons it wouldn´t matter and you would be breaking state and maybe