Legalizing Marijuana In Texas

According to Jessica Atkins many crimes in several states are increasing due to the “selling and possession” of the substance. Atkins also pointed out that marijuana is a “natural herb” and it is extremely less dangerous than any other illegal substance. With that being said many also worry about parents who also consume this drug and the effects it would have on their children. Dr. Melanie Dreher conducted many experiments and has inferred that children who are born to marijuana consuming parents show no factors of birth defects, also the child tends to be more intelligent than children not born to marijuana consuming parents. There is also a lot of benefits towards consuming medical marijuana also, it can benefit anyone who has a mental illness and could also help a woman's pregnancy with decreasing the sense of nausea and vomiting. Marijuana is a very controversial topic especially legalizing it but people need to realize that there are substances that are killing many people today that are completely legal under the federal law and it is injustice to keep a drug that has many benefits and could help people

The well known debate over the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in The United States has been ongoing since 1935. Recently Colorado and Washington have legalized the use of marijuana for recreational use. By doing so, the legalization of the recreational use of marijuana has become more of an issue than it already was and now brings other states to question whether or not they should legalize marijuana (Breecher). Which brings about the question is the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in Texas a good idea? I believe that legalizing marijuana would be a good idea. Just like the use of alcohol people should be able to choose if they want to use marijuana. Advocates of legalizing the recreational use of marijuana would agree, legalizing the recreational use of marijuana could yield substantial tax revenue, save the government money by decreasing the number of arrests and incarcerations, and quite possibly create a safer driving environment.

I. Attention Statement: Legalizing marijuana in Texas has been a long-standing debate since 2005. Recently, just last June, a major breakthrough has been made on this highly contentious issue. The legislature passed the bill into law on the legal use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. However, progress has yet to be made on legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes, which accounts for most of the criminal activities in our state.

Marijuana has negative side effects on a consumer that may end up being the reason why the legalization is wrongful. Most drugs have crimes tied along them, and this automatically gives a reason to keep drugs illegal. Along

Marijuana has already been legalized in Colorado, Washington and Oregon, so why not in Texas? Marijuana has not been legalized for one of many reasons. Due to Texans being so conservative and resisting to change they have not legalized it, but many Texans are in favor to legalizing it. By legalizing marijuana, it will create a great deal of revenue for the Texas government. It has been proved that by legalizing marijuana, it will create more tax revenue for the

Texas has always stood apart in terms of reputation; known for its sprawling landscape, unique geography, proud heritage, and conservative views. Due to these characteristics, it is no surprise that, in the case of Marijuana, Texas has tended to lean towards a strict and firm set of guidelines. The initial piece of Texas state legislation passed concerning Marijuana was in 1919, when Texas decided to prohibit the drug within the state. Texas was the third state to do so inside the United States, and the law’s implementation set the foundation for proceeding policies.

     Marijuana does have some negative effects, but compared to other drugs marijuana is harmless. Other drugs are highly addictive were marijuana is not. Alcohol is one of the most leading causes of car crashes. Marijuana is nowhere near being a leading cause of death. Other drugs can lead to cancer where marijuana is used to cure it, and other drugs can lead to deaths. Other drugs impair you vision, but marijuana does not. All the other drugs except alcohol are gateway drugs, and the only way to purchase them is by smuggling them across the border. Many advocates say “we should begin to reflect that reality in our state and federal legislation, and stop acting as if otherwise law-abiding marijuana smokers are part of the crime problem. They are not, and it is absurd to continue using law enforcement resources arresting them.” (Gary) Many advocates also say, “Far more harm is caused by marijuana prohibition than by marijuana itself.”(Gary)

Marijuana is a schedule I substance, meaning that it has the potential for abuse and no accepted medical treatment options in the United States. Already, twenty-four states have legalized some form of cannabis. The majority of those states have just legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes; however recreational marijuana is fully legal in Alaska, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and the District of Columbia. In Texas, it is illegal to possess, sell, transport, and grow marijuana. According to the Texas Controlled Substance Act, possession of 2oz or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor with a jail sentence of up to 180 days. However, Texas officials are now working to create a framework for the

Over the past few years, a portion Texans have joined in with other citizens across the United States to push for the legalization of Marijuana. Since Texas is considered a neighbor of Mexico, legalization of cannabis has its pros and cons. One beneficial outcome would be the use of marijuana medically. However, the drug has been used to make money from being transported illegally across the Mexican border. So far, "twenty-three states and the District of Columbia currently have laws legalizing marijuana in some form" (State Marijuana Laws Map).

On January 1st the states of Colorado and Washington officially began the regulation of legal marijuana sales. Thousands of people from all over the country including tourists from Wisconsin, Ohio, Chicago, and even Georgia lined up out front of dispensaries to make a purchase. Recreational marijuana is being regulated and monitored like alcohol; you must be at least 21 years old to make a purchase. The drug, which is controversial in many states’ legislations, is currently legal for medical use in 20 states, but Colorado and Washington were the first to approve of recreational use (Healy). The geographical concepts involved in the legalization of marijuana include migration, movement and flow, and private/public space.

Although it is a highly common defense that marijuana is not addictive, it in fact is. Many regular smokers find themselves ridden with very similar withdrawal symptoms of a tobacco addict (Marijuana Addiction Symptoms and Effects). Around 9% of people who use find themselves dependent on marijuana (Is Marijuana Addictive?). That may not seem like much, but that is almost 1 in every 10 people hooked on a drug that is supposedly “non-addictive.” Legalizing a drug that causes disorientation, paranoia, depression, anxiety, dizziness, and a slowed reaction time is not safe, not to mention the fact that it is a gateway drug, often leading users to use even more damaging and dangerous drugs (Is Marijuana Addictive?). With the legalization of a drug like marijuana comes increased use and abuse of the drug. Marijuana is unsafe medically for the individual using and for the people around them when the user is under the influence, it will cost the government money and time and it will cost employers tons. Legalizing marijuana would be a huge mistake by our country.

Texas should legalize marijuana because regardless if they do or not it’s still going to be in Texas, it would better if they just legalize it so they can make money off of it.

Marijuana is a current popular topic today. Currently legalized in 29 states, marijuana has medical benefits, but also some negative benefits. Marijuana should be legalized in Texas because it benefits people with serious illnesses and it financially benefits the state.

In Texas it seems as though the state, overall, is very traditional in its ways of thinking.Although there would be many different opinions over many issues that are controversial, such as the legalization of marijuana, it can also be stated that it is the 21st century and people are more open minded to new and different ideas. Through study and research there are pros and cons which could support or oppose the legalization of marijuana. Whether or not there would be any action taken towards reaching this objective, it is conclusive that different opinions will rise due to different cultures intertwining within the same region, therefore making a final opinion towards how approving a law that lagalizes marijuana will affect Texas is unknown.

However, in the early 1980s various states outlawed decriminalization despite marijuana activists having tired to not criminalize the use and possession of marijuana. Research has shown various physical effects of marijuana on the body. Marijuana is considered to relieve pain, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. But, its use does impair memory and cause depression. There are also many social effects of marijuana on society. Some of the social problems of not prohibiting the drug are that its use decreases productivity and cause uncontrollable aggression. Most importantly, marijuana has a large impact on motivation and is easily attainable. People can easily cross-state borders and manage to bring marijuana back to state of residence. All of the legal, physical and social aspects of not legalization marijuana can affect the society in a big manner based on moral grounds.