Should Marijuana Be Legalized?

Since the 1970’s, marijuana has been an extremely controversial drug. While some argue that it does not harm to your body, and can do good in the world, others classify it as a “gateway” drug. As the number states in the U.S. legalize the drug increases, 26 to be exact, the debate is only getting more heated. Also known as weed, cannabis, dope, etc., marijuana has been scientifically proven to do good in the medical world, be safer than alcohol and tobacco, and increase a growth in our economy.

Since the first efforts to legalize marijuana in the 1960s, Americans have become progressively more accepting of requests to liberalize laws restricting possession and use of marijuana, but the shift has not been a straight line. After 11 states decriminalized marijuana possession in the 1970s, recoil led by suburban parents led too much harsher implementation of drug laws. But since California legalized medical marijuana in 1996, outlooks toward the drug have relaxed significantly.("A Brief History of Public Opinion on Marijuana Legalization.")

Decriminalization provides a solution the problems related to drugs. Decriminalization is not making drugs legal, it is treating the drug addicts as a patient instead of making them feel like they are criminals and putting them into a jail although selling drugs is still illegal. Drugs must be decriminalized because decriminalization has proven that the death rates and crime rates have decreased and the use of drugs have decreased in decriminalized countries such as Portugal, Uruguay and drugs have decriminalized in some of the states in Unites States of America.

Mary-Jane, cannabis, reefer, hash, pot, grass, tree, ganja, dope, chronic, no matter what you call it, they’re all just disguises for the wacky tobaccy. There’s been a recent rise in our country to legalize, and even promote marijuana use. Whether it be for so-called “medical purposes”, or whether it be because it’s our civil liberty, regardless, the citizens of our country are adamant about legalizing cannabis. At first glance, most people might agree. “What harm could some stoners possibly do?”, “They’re going to use it anyway; we might as well tax it.”, “If alcohol and cigarettes are legal, why shouldn’t pot be?” are common statements one may hear from those in favor of legalization. Well, I’m not so easy to convince, and you shouldn’t be either. The facts hidden behind the smoke and mirrors tell a different story, one that doesn’t disguise the ugly truth. Marijuana consumption can have harmful effects on users’ behavior, health, and psyche; it is for those reasons that as a nation we must admit marijuana is not harmless.

The legalization of Marijuana; Weed, Mary Jane, Bud, whatever the person may call it, is a highly debated topic in the United States. There is no doubt that marijuana has a bad reputation in society. Marijuana is a shredded mixture of dried flowers, stems, and leaves from a plant called Cannabis Sativa. The main chemical found in marijuana is called THC, which causes a “high” when it connects to nerve receptors in the brain . The side effects, like most drugs, are temporary, and if used responsibly, harmless. People who consume marijuana stereotypically are lazy, uneducated burnouts.

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

Marijuana is currently illegal in the United States, and according to popular belief, is considered a dangerous substance like any other and decriminalization of this substance would send a message to the nation’s youth that marijuana use is acceptable, resulting in higher use rates. Some believe that it is dangerous and needs to be contained, while others believe it should only be a civil infraction, and not a crime punishable with steep fines and jail time. Marijuana offenders can experience jail time and fines up to $1000. First time marijuana offenders however, are offered drug treatment programs instead of prison time. There are several court cases involving the fight for, and against marijuana. Some of these include Ravin v. State and Gonzales v. Raich. The Gonzales v. Raich court case was the closest the Supreme Court had ever come to suggesting that marijuana use should be decriminalized in any manner. Marijuana should be decriminalized due to the consequences of possessing something that is basically harmless and could potentially have medicinal uses.

Over the past decade the marijuana industry has grown traumatically. This notoriously famous illicit drug has grown to overcome its stereotypical label of a “gateway drug” and has become a medical breakthrough. Throughout the United States, states have become more acceptable to the use of marijuana by legalizing not only medically but for the first time in in the US, Colorado and the state of Washington legalized the recreational use of marijuana for in-state residents as well as out-of-state residents. State governments have placed an economical system and strict guidelines to ensure the proper handling of a new law. Although few states have legalized the drug American has not quite accepted it. There are numerous debates between experts and scientist referring to weed and it all comes down to one question. Is it bad for you? The United States should legalize marijuana everywhere, because it economically boosting when properly regulated, medical marijuana also has many personal health benefits, and lastly there have been many medical breakthroughs involving the use of cannabis.

Growing up every child was told that they had inherent rights, but they didn’t comprehend the concept completely until they grew up and were face to face with it. The Declaration of Independence clearly states that every person is endowed with unalienable rights which include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If every person is allowed these rights then it is in anyone’s right to do what they please in order to achieve happiness. Many people believe that the government is standing in the way of their pursuit of happiness. Every person has something different that gives them happiness which is partially why the government and society don’t see eye to eye. The current laws against drugs and controlled substances such as marijuana

Four proposals made it onto the ballot for the Massachusetts general election; the fourth question is for legalizing the use of marijuana recreationally. Over the past few years, several states have started to decriminalize the use of cannabis for medicinal and recreational purposes. In Massachusetts, the legalization of marijuana has been a growing possibility gaining momentum recently. Prior to the 2016 elections, recreational use is legal only in Alaska, California, Colorado, Oregon and Washington. Currently, the possession, use and sale of the drug is illegal in Massachusetts, and there are harsh punishments for any transgression. Some of the benefits of legalizing recreational marijuana are job creation, saving the government money, promoting safe use, and eradicating mobs and cartels from the industry. I believe that these pros outweigh the cons of allowing the recreational use of marijuana and thus it should be legalized.

The use of marijuana has been around since B.C. times and was banned by the US government in Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. However, the debate over the legalization of cannabis sativa, known as marijuana, has been one of the most prominent and controversial issue in society today besides same sex marriage. Over the centuries, a shift in opinion in the favor of legalization has been seen. There are five jurisdictions in the United State that have rejected the failed prohibition of marijuana and changed their laws to legalize small amount of marijuana: Washington, Colorado, Alaska, Washington, D.C., and Oregon. Recently, Representative David Simpson (R-Longview) filled a bill to legalize marijuana in Texas. Cannabis is the largest cash crop in

There are people who are criticizing why marijuana should not be legalized and why it’s dangerous to health. According to the research performed by Harvard University, “kids who used marijuana only recreationally showed significant abnormalities in the brain” (1). In a related study from the University Of Maryland School, Of Medicine found that “Regular marijuana use during adolescence, but not adulthood, may permanently impair cognition and increase the risk for psychiatric diseases, such as schizophrenia.” (1) May cause death. In similar circumstances, people who advocate against marijuana being legalized may talk about, how marijuana is a gateway drug and if marijuana is legalized than drug use among kids will increase drastically. The position that I just stated is wrong and here’s why. What if your son or daughter or mother is passing away and the only thing that will assist them live little longer is marijuana and it 's illegal in your state, what would you do? I am not stating that cannabis can help people live longer, but it helps people feel much better and delays some internal diseases from spreading. I am proposing that Marijuana should be legalized in the United States. There are main three reasons as to why marijuana should be legalized: Economic reasons, Medical reasons, and criminal reasons.

Cannabis has numerous slang terms such as weed, pot, dope, Mary Jane and reefer. Regardless of its many nicknames, it is most commonly referred to as marijuana. Marijuana and its various forms can be taken in multiple fashions. Consumers of this drug commonly smoke it as a joint or a blunt, but it can also be vaporized, eaten, applied as a cream, and even consumed as a tea. With elections coming up, marijuana use has recently made headlines for its emergence in proposed legislations, which would legalize the recreational consumption of marijuana in several states if passed. These legislations, however, do not take into consideration the many negative effects of marijuana use on the body, the wide availability to underage children, and potential harm to others. All of these negative aspects of marijuana use should consequently make any recreational use of marijuana illegal.

Are you against the legalization of marijuana? Or do you live in a state where marijuana is legal? Marijuana is derived from the Cannabis hemp plant. It is considered a gateway drug. A gateway drug is a substance that may lead to further abuse of other drugs or alcohol. Some of the negative effects of marijuana are said to be dry mouth, addiction, dizziness, appetite increase, anxiety, lung problems, memory impairment, lack of motivation and depression. Marijuana has many other names. Some of these names include herb, pot, grass, bud, ganja, Mary Jane and most commonly weed. Many Americans oppose the legalization of marijuana due to its supposed side effects. In spite of these accusations, this drug should be constituted because it would decrease the number of incarcerations due to minor drug offenses. When compared to other drugs, there is no valid evidence showing that marijuana has caused any sudden deaths. Marijuana should be legalized because of its benefits to the states and its use as a medicinal aid for ailing patients. There are a variety of reasons why marijuana should be legalized in all 50 states. These reasons range from creativity boost to one’s pain being eased during mental and physical issues.

People across the country, doctors or not, argue that marijuana is very successful in treating a range of health conditions people commonly have including: Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis (M.S.) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). More doctors are on board with legalizing marijuana every year. Physicians say that, “...creating a legal and regulated marijuana market is the best way to ensure public safety, combat the illicit drug trade and roll back the negative consequences of strict enforcement policies on disadvantaged communities.” Doctors have found that it has improved their cancer patients when they gave them marijuana or even cannabis oil. It is said that, “A number of small studies of smoked marijuana found that it can be helpful in treating nausea and vomiting from cancer chemotherapy.” It has also been said, “...to help improve food intake and prevent weight loss in patients with HIV.” It also has the properties of helping