The Jamestown Settlers where the ones who first brought the Marijuana plant over to North America in 1611. The plant is also commonly known as Hemp to people when it was first introduced. Through the Colonial period in North America hemp fiber was a very important export to this country. In 1762 Virginia would award rewards for those who would cultivate and manufacture the hemp plant. For those who would refuse to produce the hemp plant, faced consequences and penalties. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both grew the hemp on their plantation farms for recreational and medical uses (Medical Marijuana). The current drug laws are doing more harm than actual good. Decriminalizing Marijuana would have a positive effect on the country and even put a dent in drug cartels operations.
Decriminalizing Marijuana has been a hot topic of discussion since the 1970’s. The commissioner of the (NCMDA) National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse, Raymond Shafer concluded that the personal use of Marijuana ought to be decriminalized. Though President Richard Nixon refuted the proposal of Raymond Shafer, 11 states went ahead and decriminalized marijuana and others just reduced the penalties regarding the substance. In (1977-1981) President Jimmy Carter supported the decriminalization of the drug. President Jimmy Carter was quoted saying “Penalties against drug use should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug itself. States chose to relax all fines and
Cannabis has been known to man since as early as 7000 B.C. (Marijuana Legalization Timeline). In 1619, the colony of Jamestown in Virginia passed the first cannabis-related law, stating that it is required for all farmers to grow cannabis sativa or hemp plant because of its strong fiber that they used to
Illegal drug use is a huge part of American culture and one the most controversial of those drugs is marijuana; its technical name is Cannabis Sativa. But whether you call it cannabis, marijuana, pot, reefer, weed, bud, herb, Mary Jane, hemp, grass or wacky tabacci, it is still illegal in the United States. Actually, all over the world the deliberation rages about the harm or benefits that marijuana has to offer. Attempts to legalize it in the United States have been going on since the Marijuana Tax Act was introduced in 1937 and have thus far largely failed. The debate whether or not to legalize marijuana seems to circle around numerous points, including the recreational use verses being a gateway to
Cannabis, regularly known as marijuana, and by various other names is a composition of the cannabis plant intended for utilization as a psychoactive medication and physiological effects. People usually think that marijuana is unhealthy drug that needs to be avoided, but is it harmful than alcohol and tobacco? In modern days, cannabis is used as a recreational or medical drug, depending on the laws provided by different states in the USA. Although marijuana faces a strong opposition, a force for its legalization is extending across the nation. However, what are the after effects if marijuana is legalized? What are the pros and cons of it being legalized?
The craze for marijuana started, in America, in the early 1600’s, at a point there was even a law passed that required every famer to grow marijuana, it was not until the 1900’s that the growing and usage of cannabis started escalating too quickly and in the 1930’s increase in crime and violence linked to using marijuana caused 29 states to outlaw the use of marijuana, however in the 50’s to the 60’s a new “hippy” culture had started and marijuana, and other drugs, were a large part of the culture. This caused new laws to be placed, mandatory and stricter sentencing rules and larger fines. However in the 1970’s there were political changes trying to decriminalize the possession of the drug for non-medical purposes as well as legalizing it for medical purposes. Then during the 1980’s due to large number of protesting parents and campaigns from other parties, the government was compelled to start a ‘war on
Today, the idea of marijuana (cannabis) being legalized has created major controversy within the United States. In the article, “Legislation to Legalize Marijuana Discussed,” Paul J. Nyden discusses the legislation of the legalization of marijuana use, especially for medical purposes. Nyden presents several reason’s to support his thesis, but the main issue is, should supporters of marijuana legislation in West Virginia back various reform laws saying they could offer people medical help, create new state tax revenues, cut prison cost, and enhance an industry already booming underground (Nyden). Some ideas used in Nyden’s article stating most people even delegates like Mike Manypenny, and D-Taylor backing the
The major debate in America today, is whether Marijuana should be legalized or kept illegal. Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug in America, of the nearly twenty million current drug users, 14.6 million are using marijuana (National 73) . Therefore, if marijuana is legalized in America, the number of users will skyrocket. Hence, marijuana should stay illegal in America for the reason that if it is legalized, more adolescents would acquire the drug easier, roads will become more dangerous and finally, more marijuana means higher chances of addictions and use of other harmful drugs.
Marijuana Illegalization has been a problem in the United States since the beginning of the twentieth century. Prior to the federal prohibition of marijuana in 1937, people used these plants for a variety of essentials, including but not limited to: hemp, rope, cloth, and food, and even for medicinal purposes. Marijuana was not banned because it was unhealthy, or because it had terrible effects of the mind and ones’ actions. No, the plant was banned because of corrupt legislators that had an agenda to demonize the use of marijuana for political gain. Before the federal prohibition, Americans loved marijuana. It was not until the early 1900s when Mexicans started crossing the border into California, that the government started to
What could the United States do with 7.7 billion dollars? What could the state of Kentucky do with 5.3 billion dollars? How could the country even get this much extra money? By legalizing marijuana in the United States we could generate such revenue. There are several benefits to legalizing marijuana, which include stimulating the economy in the United States, helping patients in pain, and eliminating illegal drug use one the streets.
Today, more than 20 states are currently approving the use of Medical Marijuana. Gathering statistical data from Gallup Politics in 2013, 58% of Americans say the drug Marijuana should be legalized, for the first time ever recorded. Gallup had first asked the question of legalization in 1969, when only 12% favored legalization. Had I been included in the study, I likely would have been for the legalization. Medical Marijuana had been used for centuries prior to it becoming illegal, and it is important to know what decided the illegalization of medical marijuana, whether there is currently a benefit of treatment with medical marijuana, and the regulation of 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 legalization of marijuana has been a very controversial issue in America’s society. Many citizens of America are very against the legalization due to false assumptions about the plant. The truth has been in the process of being uncovered for a couple years now but is heavily criticized because of the stereotypical picture of a “pot smoker”. This stereotype has brought years of misinformation and propaganda that comes off as ignorant. Marijuana should be legalized, not only for medical purposes, but for industrial and revenue purposes.
Many states have started the process of decriminalizing marijuana and taking away the criminal offense associated with marijuana usage. The idea of making marijuana a legal drug is a cause for concern for many people. Especially, those who believe that using marijuana will cause more reckless and criminal behavior. Looking at research, there are other sides to the argument that recognize methods in which marijuana could be decriminalized with lower repercussions. Regarding the argument of decriminalizing marijuana, this paper will focus on the reasons for decriminalization and setting adequate and safe restrictions.
America is currently embroiled in a debate about the use of marijuana. Our nation is slowly moving in the direction of legalization for both medicinal and recreational use, but we’re still not actually sure of the effects that it will have on our society in the long term. I want to find out if using marijuana at a young age can be directly linked to an early death. By examining a group over a very long term, you could compare the age they started using marijuana and their age when they die.
The legalization of marijuana in the United States would drastically reduce crime in our cities and form a more productive society through its positive uses. The United States government is spending millions and millions of dollars each year to enforce petty marijuana crimes and it’s time for this change. Embracing marijuana for personal, medical, and industrial use will encourage economic growth and stability. Associating taxes along with eliminating risk of illegal activity will increase consumer confidence whereas the ease of growing requirements will boost substantial profit. Over the next couple pages I hope to convince you as to why marijuana should be legalized for the many reasons that I will touch on throughout this paper.
The suggestions and information presented is intended for every day American voters between the ages, with families that may have psychological or physical sicknesses or diseases. Its’ purpose is to hopefully bring a new light and possible understanding to the benefits of marijuana.