Should Marijuana Be Legalized?

Marijuana is a misunderstood drug. Many assume that the usage of marijuana, or cannabis, is dangerous, but it can be the exact opposite. So why is the legalization of marijuana in the United States such a problem for many people today? Considered to be a gateway drug and the reason for the downfall of our youth nowadays, marijuana has developed a negative reputation. Lester Grinspoon, a professor at Harvard University, states, “Few drugs in the United States have produced as much affective heat as marijuana, particularly during the last decade. The controversy essentially revolves around the question of how dangerous or safe the drug is." However, many people are persistent users and believe that this drug is no more harmful than

Legalizing marijuana may serve as a medicine for ill and unhealthy people. Marijuana is famously known for its ability to relieve pain for people that suffer with ADDs/ ADHD, Alzheimer’s, seizures, migraines, and physical pain relief like knee or back pain. In addition, marijuana can be used to, “treat those disorders but also cannabinoids, the active components of marijuana kill cancer cells and inhibit tumor growth!” (Torres). American states like Colorado and Washington have already legalized the use of marijuana, not to mention

Medical Marijuana is a growing legalization movement in the United States. Currently, 23 states have legalized marijuana use for either medical or recreational purposes. Many say that the drug has many health benefits and should be made legal. Marijuana, however, is still a harmful drug and proponents of the drug deemphasize its adverse history and tend to focus on its benefits. Research has shown that not only is marijuana ineffective, but detrimental to an individual’s health. The legalization of marijuana for medical use may inadvertently cause unintended consequences that outweigh its medicinal benefits.

Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is a plant used to produce hemp fiber and as a psychotropic drug. There are many ways to consume the plant, but most often, it is consumed through a cigarette. Over many years, marijuana has been looked at as a gateway drug and something attached to violence and addiction. Users of marijuana have been stereotyped to abuse the drug to get high rather than to medicate their bodies. The hip-hop and hippie communities shed a light on marijuana that gave society a good excuse to view it negatively. Many have overlooked the benefits of marijuana by being blinded by the stereotypes society has created. Despite the negative outlooks, there are an abundance of benefits that using

Marijuana, hemp, Mary Jane, pot, reefer, herb, kush, sticky icky, and weed. Whatever one may refer to the drug cannabis as, it is no stranger to the typical American. With support for the legalization of marijuana growing rapidly in numbers over the years, the debate over decriminalizing the drug is more important now than ever. Over 50% of Americans now support legalizing the drug. In a random Twitter survey given out, thirty five of the forty people were for the legalization of marijuana when asked, “ Do you believe marijuana should be legalized?” Many people today believe that marijuana is not as dangerous as it has been said to be. Even the president, Barrack Obama,

Marijuana is an illegal, highly prevalent drug that affects an enormous fraction of America's juvenile population in the present day. Today, there is a large dispute on whether Marijuana should be legalized. Some say that it should be legal due to its medical benefits, whereas others say it should remain illegal due to abusive recreational users and the negative effects it has on the body. Marijuana damages the users health, endangers public safety, and is a gateway to the world of illegal and harmful narcotics. The fact of the matter is that no matter what, legalization of the drug will only cause impairment to society in the long run.

Many believe that Marijuana is addictive, and for that reason, should not be legalized. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Marijuana use can lead to the development of problem use, known as marijuana use disorder, which in severe cases takes the form of addiction.” According to recent data, it is suggested that around 30 percent of marijuana users may suffer from some degree of marijuana use disorder and people who started using marijuana when they were younger than 18 are 4-7 times more likely to develop this disorder (“Addictive”). Similar to addiction, this disorder is associated with dependence to marijuana, which means that the user may feel withdrawal symptoms when not taking the drug. These symptoms can include irritability, decreased appetite, and sleep difficulties. These generally last about a week or two after giving up the drug (“Addictive”). This happens when the brain’s production of endocannabinoid neurotransmitters slows or stops because it has adapted to large amounts of marijuana (“Addictive”). Marijuana disorder becomes an addiction when the user is unable to stop using even if the effects of marijuana interfere with many aspects of their life (“Addictive”). In 2014, it was estimated that about 4.176 million people in the US, roughly 1% of the total population, abused or were dependent on marijuana, but it is hard to estimate the number of people addicted to marijuana because epidemiological studies of substance abuse use

The American people have been watching Reefer Madness since 1936 while reading the foreword: “Marihuana is that drug - a violent narcotic - an unspeakable scourge - The Real Public Enemy Number One!” Many Americans still believe that marijuana is a highly addictive and life threatening drug. However, there have been zero reported cases of cannabis overdose. Marijuana prohibition and propaganda have caused America to fail to benefit from marijuana legalization. The factors of the consequences of the cannabis ban, organized crime being responsible for the distribution of marijuana, the success of Colorado’s statewide legalization, and the American public becoming less opposed to the proposal of legalizing marijuana are causing America to move forward towards permitting cannabis. All of these reasons determine prohibition of marijuana is failing and causing more devastation than the plant itself. These are legitimate motives to have a nationwide repeal of the federal law which outlaws marijuana use or possession.

Marijuana is the most frequently used illicit drug and has been used by nearly 100 million

Marijuana, also known as cannabis, has been deemed an unacceptable and illegal substance in Canada, as well as in many other nations. It is a drug which can alter an individual’s sense of perception and distort one’s senses, and may become addictive if used repeatedly. Although marijuana is looked down upon in society when used for recreational purposes, it serves several beneficial purposes in the medical field. The legalization of marijuana is a prominent growing issue in several Canadian provinces, as it is allegedly believed to benefit the Canadian economy and decrease crime rates if it is legalized and regulated properly. The government spends millions of dollars to enforce new rules and regulation to control the use and trafficking

In today’s society we are currently debating whether marijuana should become legalized. There are currently 19 states who allow marijuana for medicinal use and 4 states who allow marijuana for recreational use. Abraham Lincoln once said “Prohibition goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man’s appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are crimes.” The United States spends billions of dollars a year on the “War against drugs,” it’s time we stop wasting tax payer’s money. How about instead of spending billions, the nation earns billions. If marijuana was legalized it would generate an enormous tax revenue, reduce crime, and give cancer and Aids patients another natural form of medicine.

There was a time when talks of legalizing marijuana went largely untouched by statesmen and policymakers. It seemed that considering legalization was unpopular and that the demand for it existed only in the minds of few. In this ever-changing world, we now see the rhetoric of the matter gradually fade away. That old approach of conservatism seems to be marginalized regarding this groundbreaking social topic. With 75% of the nation expecting that marijuana will find a federal path to legality, the ability to buy, possess, and consume recreational cannabis is perfectly legal in four states. Furthermore, economists have begun to study this subject in great depth. By and large, their analysis has concluded that the nationalized legalization of cannabis would stimulate the American economy. Additionally, black-market criminals would no longer profit from the vast exploitations of the marijuana plant, while licensed growers, retailers, and consumers would all reap the positive ends. In summation, revenue from the federally-mandated legalization of marijuana would prove economically beneficial to both the federal government and domestic businesses. Legalization would, in turn, affect a number of different economic systems, but it might pose some ethical questions for the Catholic Church and other religious institutions.

With progressive advances in technology, advances in medicine and an understanding of the human body have also consistently increased. New drugs are available for safe consumption to combat a plethora of illnesses and disorders ranging from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to chronic depression. As a result of the growing options for prescribed remedies to health complications, there has been a blur on the line distinguishing beneficial medicine to recreational drug use. The growing call in the United States for a legalization of recreational marijuana has led to much criticism of apparent double standards between medications and marijuana. Critics of the current ban in most U.S. states claim that there is no substantial difference to medical pills and smoking marijuana for some sort of health benefit, but the primary use of marijuana is for leisure only and has copious negative health effects as a result. Medications legal in the U.S. all have a medical purpose that recreational weed falls short on in addition to chances of addiction without proper guidance from medical professionals that often come with many legalized pills; over the counter, or prescribed. The satirical cartoon does not effective describe any contradiction in the thinking of those that do not support marijuana.

Drugs are constantly on the rise from place to place around the world. With new research completed on drugs and different medicated diagnosis, the increase for drug use will always have a reason to continue its growth. With these increases, more problems arise including side effects and addictions. Depending on the form of drug as well as the person using said drug, the reaction to the drug can vary as well as its effects.

In the debate to legalize Marijuana there are people for the legalization, and there are people who are against the legalization. Before I get too far into my own side and the opinions I have to go along with it, I’m going to give you some information to help you better decide your own side. The main thing going around right now to legalize Marijuana is Prohibition 48. Prohibition 48 is the amendment to the state constitution proposed by the people of Mississippi. In my research on the subject I found that prohibition 48 is said to be the ending of Marijuana prohibition in Mississippi. This prohibition will legalize medical and recreational marijuana use. It will also follow up with growing up Marijuana and all Hemp products. Forgiveness will be given to all offenders that aren’t violent. The only thing is that recreational marijuana will be taxed and I am not particularly sure how I feel about that. According to Yes to Prohibition 48 “Proceeds from these taxes will wholly and directly benefit Mississippi schools.” The end of this prohibition will bring with it many changes to legal, economy, educational, and healthcare systems.