Should Marijuana Be Legal?

Cannabis has been illegal since the Marijuana Tax act of 1934. Yet out of a population of 284 million American citizens, 70 million Americans claim to have smoked cannabis at some point in their lives. Prohibition of cannabis is therefore apparently ineffective at changing the habits of a population, just as prohibition of alcohol was ineffective in 1919-1933. Making otherwise law-abiding citizens fugitives does nothing more than fill the prisons and alienate the populace from their government. In fact the total cost to taxpayers of solely marijuana-related incarceration (in local, state, and federal prisons and jails) of 15,400 people exceeds $1.2 million per year.

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

Another limitation set forth in the Constitution is that of anti-commandeering. Even though federal governments can enact law they cannot use the states as instruments of federal governance. Often overlooked, this argument used in appropriate cases to limit the Supremacy Clause, is found in the Constitution’s Tenth Amendment, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. “The anti-commandeering principle applied to the issue of medical marijuana raises the question of protecting states’ prerogative to legalize activity that Congress bans. In a case where Congress legalizes an activity that the states have banned the issue of conflict need not arise because the individual’s choice remains whether to engage in said activity or not. In the instance of Congress banning an activity legalized by the states, conflict emerges with unclear boundaries.

A controversial topic often being advocated for by sitting governors is whether the legalization of marijuana is more beneficial or harmful to the economy. Marijuana, also known as weed, is a mixture of the dried and shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the cannabis sativa plant. It’s the most widely used illegal drug in the United States, even though studies have shown results that the benefits of using marijuana for medicinal or recreational reasons far outweigh the negative matters that may be associated with its use. While marijuana is still a controlled substance under federal law, thirteen U.S. states currently have compassionate use laws in place, which allow for regulated medical marijuana use. By legalizing marijuana, the government is helping the economy by reaping medical and financial benefits, not only at the state level, but also at the federal level. Taking into account the numerous studies done with marijuana on whether it is for recreational use or medical purposes, the government cannot go wrong in legalizing marijuana because of such an impact it will have. Marijuana should be legalized for recreational purposes because it will help society economically and socially.

The role of how marijuana is used in the United States is being reexamined, rethought, and recalibrated, Barcott emphasize throughout his book. The new adjustment in America's relationship with cannabis cannot be measured in just monetary or social terms, “there are more profound movements going ahead here; social realignments, social alterations, and budgetary modifications” Barcott believes. Barcott show marijuana came to be one of the most vilified drugs in the market ever since the war on drugs was announced in the 1980s. However, the author shows how those who were against that movement are now cheerful that the way of that line of thinking is finally coming to a close. “Weed the

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

Marijuana has been a hot topic of conversation over the last few years, as some states in America have legalized it medically and recreationally. By discussing the legal aspect of marijuana, the economic benefits, medical usage and how marijuana affects the family, we can see the positive and negative impact that marijuana has on sociology.

The legalization of marijuana has been a topic of debate for many years. This may be because of the cultural diversity that the United States of America is known for. Recently, bills were passed in Colorado and Washington to implement the legalization and regulation of recreational marijuana use. These events along with the ever growing popularity of the drug in society, media, and entertainment are proving to be more than anti-marijuana advocates can handle. In this paper, I explore the financial, social, medical, and political benefits of legalizing marijuana.

The flame ignites, the smoke builds, the mind relaxes. It’s a process that at one point, could have

In the preceding years, when ferocious battles were waged over the wisdom of legalization, both in direct conversations and of course, on the internet, marijuana proponents made boasts about what a major positive impact on government budgets making pot legal would have. To people familiar with economics, basic math and tax policy, these arguments seemed very weak, and that is exactly what they have been proven to be in the first years of Colorado’s new drug era.

Marijuana legalization has been a controversial topic requiring a public policy solution in the political realm. There have been various arguments made for and against the legalization of marijuana. There are several states that have legalized marijuana use for medicinal purposes while others have let their guards down completely allowing citizens to use it not only medicinally, but recreationally as well. While the use of marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, there is much discussion by other states regarding policies to support marijuana legalization and many policy makers proactively planning for the possibility

Image a time where surplus funding for our children’s educational futures existed and no school lacked the resources needed to properly educate every student regardless of economic status. This is what our futures would look like if we had available the sizeable tax revenues from legalizing marijuana. The fight for marijuana reform has been an ongoing battle, and every time this matter is argued, those voting against marijuana have triumphed. A report on PBS.org titled “Busted – America’s war of Marijuana” states that since 1937 attempts to criminalize marijuana began to emerge, starting with the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. This

Legalizing marijuana would make the drug easily accessible, which could potential lead to abuse and potential health effects in adolescence and adults that abuse the drug. This law could potentially increase crimes and the number of arrests for driving under the influence of drugs, which puts the safety of our citizens at risk. States should consider their options in order to fight legalizing of marijuana in their states. This paper provides some concepts around the impacts a state could incur and encourages the state to look beyond dollars earned and to ensure the state understands some of the impacts associated such as higher accidents and fatalities, increased criminal activity and a higher number homeless people. This could be solved by maintaining the federal regulations on controlled substances by the federal government. It is encouraged that the state careful consider if this is a viable option for the state and consider enhancing the policies around medicinal marijuana

The legalization of marijuana is an issue that has divided many Americans. While some Americans call for its legalization, others are set on keeping the drug illegal. Recently, however, there have been changes in public attitudes about marijuana and its legalization. This has led individual states to enact marijuana laws that create tensions with federal law. This paper will examine the recent events of legalizing marijuana for medical and recreational purposes, and the conflict between federal and state marijuana laws.

The purpose of this content is to strategically examine the overwhelming plethora of information surrounding the legalization of marijuana. Many sources available have been used to identify the mental, physical, economic and social issues surrounding the facets of marijuana use on both ends of the spectrum. While the judicial system is holding to the values entrusted to them through society; they are red taped by the economic repercussions. The health benefits that are aspired through marijuana are undoubtedly alluring to those who suffer with chronic illnesses. Research shows marijuana has the potential to enhance medical innovation and patient well-being. Weighing all aspects of both sides is the only fair way to determine whether the legalization of marijuana will be beneficial to society and the judicial system.