Should Marijuana Be Banned?

In its early days cannabis or “marijuana” as it’s mostly known was first established in 8000 B.C. Later becoming more and more popular cannabis was incorporated in many things such as weave to fine hemp cloths, medicine, and as a fiber for the Chinese and later all across the world. Nowadays marijuana is illegal and has been so since 1970 after the Federal Controlled Substances Act was passed. Now there’s an ongoing controversy about cannabis being legalized or decriminalized for medical or even recreational uses. Marijuana laws are getting looser and looser and states around the world and starting to be more accepted but the drug is still not legalized completely and there’s no concrete reason why.

But only 9 percent of marijuana users develop a dependence” (Boffey). Even still, of those 9 percent that develop a dependence, marijuana addiction is dissimilar to that of heroin, alcohol, or nicotine, from which withdrawal is often an extremely painful, physical experience. In addition, the long-held belief that marijuana is a gateway drug has been debunked, and even quietly removed from D.A.R.E’s list of gateway drugs. As far as medical research is concerned, the clear consensus is that marijuana use is less harmful to human health than most other banned drugs. While tobacco causes cancer, and alcohol abuse can lead to cirrhosis, there is no clear causal connection between marijuana use and any deadly diseases. Furthermore, it is less dangerous than highly addictive but legal substances like alcohol and tobacco. Marijuana use cannot, in and of itself, lead to fatal overdoses, and there is little evidence that it causes cancer. Like tobacco and alcohol, public policy concerns support the notion that it should be kept out of the hands of minors. The downsides to marijuana use are less compelling as reasons to foist criminal penalties on its possession, especially not in a society that allows nicotine use and celebrates

Cannabis also commonly known as marijuana is a product that comes from the cannabis plant. Marijuana is mostly used as a psychoactive drug and as medicine although the cannabis plant does have many other uses. Marijuana although legal in 20 states and the District of Columbia for medical purposes and 2 states for medical and recreational purposes is still federally illegal and is considered by the United States a scheduled 1 drug. This means that according to the United States, via the Controlled Substances Act, marijuana has been found to fit the following three categories; The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse, the drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and

Marijuana has been used as a medicine for millennia by cultures spanning the globe. Ever since 1937, that medical necessity has fallen in America to political pressure, and the cannabis plant remains illegal regardless of intended use. Since then, patients have continued demanding marijuana 's therapeutic effects, thus prompting the pharmaceutical industry to find a legitimate means of meeting their needs without violating federal law. This quest for "legal weed" resulted in the introduction of dronabinol (a synthetic drug commonly referred to by its trade name Marinol), into contemporary American pharmacopoeia. However, this "solution" to the medical marijuana question now poses a double standard: whereas, medical marijuana users still

Introduction of medical marijuana will lead to habitual smoking. The health risks include impaired memory, altered senses, difficulty thinking, and even mental diseases(“Marijuana and the Mind”). It can also lead to more serious conditions such as cancer, strokes, and heart attacks.(Rabin) Apart from its numerous health risks, marijuana is highly addictive. Addiction can be very dangerous and will often times lead to drug reliance. Violence and uncontrolled behavior are results of withdrawal from drug reliance(“Marijuana Addiction”). Moreover, there are much more dangerous addictive drugs on the market and medical marijuana is a gateway to addiction and drug abuse(“Gateway Drugs Lead). The legalization of marijuana could affect the lives of many who are unaware of the risks.

To understand the controversy about marijuana, it is helpful to first look at its history. Marijuana (or Cannabis as it was originally known) has been found as far back as the 3rd millennium BC in burial sites in Romania. Over the centuries it has been found to have been used for medicinal purposes in China and other countries, as well as for religious and spiritual ceremonies in many different countries. Cannabis was brought to America in the early years, grown as a crop, and used medicinally. In the early 1900s, along with prohibition of alcohol, the attitude about the use of cannabis started to change for many people. On the other hand, the U.S. pharmaceutical farms were expanding production and by 1918 were growing 60,000 pounds

The word " marijuana "gained attention in almost every American household today. Those who oppose the legalization of the use of plants that its use is automatic smoke , but those who do not choose to use marijuana is considered to be conducive to maintaining its illegal. On legal objections relating to chemical plant has caused much controversy in the past two decades, is still an important issue. In the Unites States to legalize marijuana would greatly reduce crime in our city , and is formed by the front side with a more efficient society.

American citizens have been hiding in the closet of “parental shame” since the beginning of cannabis prohibition. At first, moms and dads were desperate to hide their personal cannabis use out of fear of shame, incarceration, or even worse, accusations of child neglect. Public perception of the “stoner” has all but crippled the progress of those fighting the cause. We live in a society where alcohol consumption is not only accepted, but glorified. Even the morning talk show hosts on a popular national news network spend their morning sipping on wine yet the mainstream media would like us to think a parent who tokes a joint will simply “forget” their children even exist.

so expensive to obtain that its usage as a medical remedy in the U.S. came to a

With the legalization of marijuana having just come around on a state level, arguments have appeared about the legal status of other drugs. Cigarettes, among the list, have been appearing in recent news as questions arise on the topic of whether or not cigarettes should be legal.

Marijuana has been used as medicine since ancient times. There have been evidences that are found in different locations of ancient human civilizations. For example, there are numerous evidences founded in Assyria, China, India, Greece Egypt, Persia, and in other ancient civilizations marijuana used for ritualistic purposes, pain relief, and the treatment of various ailments. Marijuana could also be cultivated to produce hemp, a type of fiber used for textile such as paper, fabric, and rope. Scott Barbour in his book, “Should Marijuana be legal?” explains, “Marijuana, or cannabis, is a drug that comes from the plant cannabis sativa. The plant’s leaves and flowers contain the chemical delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Although its

Growing up, everyone is told that, “Drugs are bad for you,” time and time again. Now as a kid you don’t really understand the reasoning behind it, but you listen to your authority figure regardless. I remember being told this my entire life and even to this very day. But as I got older I realized that people would still use drugs even though it’’s illegal. I could never understand why someone would go against the law and jeopardize their life just to use drugs? The drug that I am talking about is marijuana, and surprisingly it is all around us. Marijuana is even referred to in today’s media Mainstream media sources that people enjoy, like music, movies, and TV shows, do not even bother to leave the drug out of their system. Now being a young adult and having my own personal experience with the drug and knowing its effects on others, I wonder why it’s not legal. Why is it that this drug has become illegal all over the world? The debate to legalize marijuana in the United States of America has been fought over nonstop since the existence of the drug and its effects. Marijuana has been tested and proven to provide a very positive impact on the American society for many reasons. Some of these reasons are for America’s economy, health and even crime. These reasons could very well help America thrive in the future and that is why Marijuana should be legalized in the United States of America.

We see cannabis on the news all the time nowadays, whether it’s about the new dispensaries that have just opened up in Denver or someone that has eaten one too many weed brownies. Ever since Amendment 64 had been passed in the state of Colorado, it is legal for patients who are 21 and older. Although scientists have done a good job testing cannabis oils, extracts, etc, there still needs to be better testing on patients and some stricter laws and regulations in the state.

Over the course of this semester, our class lecture looked at various drug policies and discussed those of other countries. With all of this new information, I feel like I am better educated to discuss my opinions on what the drug policies should be for our country since the war on drugs is on that cannot be avoid anymore in this country.

When hearing the word marijuana, we instantly think a “dangerous drug,” because that is what we are taught growing up. That there are different types of drugs that are dangerous for us and will only harm our health and our future. Growing up with this information as children, we do not really have other reasoning so we just take in the information and accept it. This information which was given to us at a young age is only questioned after we start to age. If research is actually done in order to gain a better understanding on the topic it will allow to draw own conclusions. For a very long time the legalization of marijuana has been a very controversial subject. It may be as a result of keeping this information given to us as a young child and never questioning it, or perhaps just the lack of knowledge on the subject. Marijuana is a drug because that is what it has been categorized as but it has been used in medicine for thousands of years. The positive impact that it will have on the country, the regulations able to be imposed on it and the many health benefits of marijuana should be a reason as to why it should be legalized.