Should Marijuana Be Legalized?

Marijuana has earned itself a terrible name over the years. This plant has a long history with humans, from early medical uses to spiritual and even recreational use. In recent years, many states have seen the legalization of marijuana for medical uses. Most large scale experiments have been hindered because of the difficulty of getting experiments involving marijuana approved. Despite this roadblock for the research of marijuana, surveys and observations of the medical use of marijuana show that the plant may have legitimate medical uses. The lack of evidence showing that weed is a dangerous drug also pushes for its legalization for recreational use. Based on all of the evidence about marijuana for recreational and medical use, marijuana

In 1545, marijuana was brought by the Spanish the New World. In 1611, the English introduced marijuana in Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in the America.1 Then marijuana became a major commercial crop and was grown as a source of fiber.

Although there has been a “war on drugs” since the late 1900’s, the legalization of marijuana has been a popular topic within the past couple of years. This topic is very controversial due to the fact that many people are unable to see past the bad rap that cannabis has accumulated over past years. Among the other aspects that have already given marijuana a bad reputation, some people are trying to find more and more reasons to postpone the legalization of marijuana. Since the legalization of cannabis in Colorado, Washington and Oregon the debate of legalizing this “drug” in every state became a very important topic. Cannabis has shown how effective it can

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

Colorado attracts millions of tourists every year mostly because of ski resorts, touring and outdoor trips. This list has been enlarged by a legalized access to recreational marijuana in January 2014. People from other states can now stop by marijuana dispensary and purchase up to ¼ ounce of retail marijuana at once. According to the Marijuana Policy Group research, out-of-state visitors purchase 44% of metro area retail demand and about 90% of retail demand in mountain counties. This demand from tourists has increased income of Colorado marijuana dispensaries dramatically. However, as there are only 2 states in the US, which legalized marijuana for recreational use, it is hard to judge whether it is good or bad for our society, but its legalization would definitely have a positive impact on the US economy.

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

In most countries, the use of marijuana that is also commonly known as marijuana is considered illegal. Small amount of marijuana have been allowed in some regions such as Europe, North America and South America. In the United States, some states such as Arizona, Delaware and Colorado have also legalized the “State Medical Marijuana Law” for several beneficial causes. Overall, the legalization of marijuana has have positives and negatives effects to the world for many reasons.

A very well-known topic in today 's society is marijuana also known as cannabis or weed. As a matter of fact, the big question today that many people tend to disagree on is whether or not marijuana should be legalized? Recently, all eyes have been focused on Colorado due to the fact that they became the first state in the U.S to officially pass an amendment legalizing the consumption and use of marijuana.

Martin A. Lee states in Smoke Signals, that “Hemp, the common English name for cannabis through modern times, usually refers to northern varieties of the plant grown for rope, paper, fabric, oil, or other industrial uses” (Lee, 2013). Hemp was a vital product in the colonial times of America, as it provided rope and sails which ships needed. In the 1830s, a man named Dr. O’Shaughnessy conducted extensive studies of Indian hemp while serving the British East Company. Dr. O’Shaughnessy first introduced marijuana into Western medicine where he prescribed it for many reasons including “nausea, delirium tremens, epilepsy, and painful spasms” (Lee, 2013).

Marijuana soon spread from China to Korea, and then to India. By 1400 BC, cannabis had been established in cultures of the Middle East. It spread into Europe, and arrived on the shores of Great Britain with the Anglo Saxon invasions in the fifth century. Marijuana finally arrived on the shores of the continental United States in 1607 at the English settlement of Jamestown in Virginia.

I never dreamed that one-day people could walk into a retail store and buy marijuana! The states of Colorado and Washington are already allowing this (Pro & Con 2014 p.20). I feel strongly that the drug marijuana should not be legalized. Marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug (Pro & Con 2014 p.19). When Colorado legalized this their “state went from the healthiest in the nation to one with thousands of mostly young adults in need of medical treatment (Congressional 2014 p.5). To me this is a big indicator to stay away from it. Some may say that marijuana has benefits but its consequences far outweigh the benefits. I will first inform you of the benefits of marijuana and then inform you of the negative aspects of the drug.

One of the most divisive issues in America today is whether to legalize the cultivation, sale, and possession of cannabis. The prohibition of marijuana cost tax payers an annual of 12 billion dollars a year to prosecute recreational users as criminals which was a component in our deficit today. The current prohibition of marijuana makes criminals of otherwise law abiding cannabis users. Legalization will provide medical benefits of marijuana, and economic benefits of legal marijuana, and the re correct the societal harm that results from the current prohibition of marijuana on the federal level and the majority of states. Those in favor of the current prohibition claim “there are no good reasons to legalize marijuana”, but they do not know all of the plants benefits.

Marijuana is the most popular street drug in America, if not in the entire world. It is a Schedule 1 drug which puts it in the same category as Heroin, LSD, MDMA, Ecstacy, etc., which are the most dangerous drugs in the world that can seriously harm someone. But Marijuana is now legalized in Twenty-Six states, plus the District of Columbia, for medicinal and/or recreational use. Even though cannabis is an illegal drug, hundreds of millions of people are still finding ways to get a hold of Marijuana and the other illegal drugs. There is only so much the law enforcement can do if the people do not wish to listen. It is beginning to impact the lives of americans in a positive way, where they can help themselves why being sick and it allows

Cannabis, formally known as marijuana is a drug obtained from the tops, stems and leaves of the hemp plant cannabis. The drug is one of the most commonly used drugs in the world. Only substances like caffeine, nicotine and alcohol are used more (“Marijuana” 1). In the U. S. where some use it to feel “high” or get an escape from reality. The drug is referred to in many ways; weed, grass, pot, and or reefer are some common names used to describe the drug (“Marijuana” 1). Like most drugs, marijuana has a very long history. People have been using the plant around the world for thousands of years. The oldest record of the marijuana plant dates back to 2727 B. C. in China where the plant was used as a medical herb for treating conditions like rheumatism, gout, malaria and even absent-mindedness (“Cannabis, Coca, & Poopy: Nature’s Addictive Plants” 1). Slowly, the plant started spreading around the world. By 1545, cannabis was starting to appear throughout the western worlds. Being introduced to South America by the Spanish to be used as fiber. The crop also had many other common uses around the world. In North America, cannabis was often used to make paper, ropes, clothing and other materials (“The Origins of Cannabis” 1).