Should Marijuana Be Legalized?

Possession and use of marijuana is illegal in over half of the United States, but it is still the third most popular recreational drug in the United States. The debate for this drug to be legal has been going on for many years; some states have legalized the drug for medical use, and some for recreational use as well. Other states seem to disagree; they are not in favor of making the drug legal for medical use or recreational use. It has been proven that marijuana has a positive impact on society. Marijuana should be legalized as it would reduce crime, provide health benefits, and it is a safe drug.

At the beginning of the year when marijuana was legalized in the state of Colorado there were a lot of concerns and complaints, most of them had to do with the children being able to access marijuana easier or being more likely to be exposed to it. For many anti-marijuana activists though there was the fear that legalizing this drug would increase the number of marijuana users, and would potentially increase crime rates; concern was raised that the number of pot users would possibly increase from the legalization, and would then lead to an unwelcome acceptance of drug using behaviors as well as drug users within the community. I have found evidence that this fear is

Marijuana, most commonly referred to as, "weed," is the country 's most utilized drug that society purchases, sells, and produces. While the controversy against marijuana being used for recreational purposes continues, numerous people believe that it could be used for medicinal purposes. Pro-marijuana advocates vote and support the idea of legalizing marijuana, so that researchers can study and better understand how cannabis effects the brain and body. One of the most frequent studies tested with marijuana is, the positive effects it has on health issues. This report seeks to provide this guidance by summarizing the most recently published scientific research (2000-2013) on the therapeutic use of cannabis and cannabinoids for 20 clinical indications(NORML.org - Working to Reform Marijuana Laws). Researchers have found at least two types of chemicals in marijuana that has medical potential. One of the chemicals

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

The recreational use of marijuana worries many people. Dating back thousands of years, to the first recorded use of marijuana it was used as an anaesthetic to numb the pain of surgeries. However progressively throughout the centuries people have found to take advantages of the initial purpose of the drug. Many methods can be used to reap the high benefits of the drug, these can be through smoking of the drug, either through cigarette like called ‘joints’ or through a ‘bong’ or ‘pipe’, which are glass-based objects. Also, marijuana is edible. Many recipes can involve marijuana to be used as a drug, which can include ‘hash brownies’, ‘marijuana gum’ and other forms. According to FRANK, marijuana is a short term high and allows the user to feel calm and chilled out. However, according to them marijuana in the long term can mess with your body. For example, it can reduce and deteriorate the growth hormones in the body. Also, in the short term can leave the user in a state of paranoia. This is what many people worry about if marijuana was to be legalized. However, it can be argued that sedatives, e.g. Nitrous oxide ‘laughing gas’, used for medical purposes i.e. removal of wisdom teeth are also similar to the short term effects of marijuana. Both users experience relaxation and in a state of euphoria. Nonetheless, these

There is substantial evidence that certain components of marijuana can contribute to the healing and cure of many minor and major ailments. However, most of these studies have to be performed and proven off of U.S. soil or in secret since the FDA has not approved the medicinal use of marijuana and it has deemed a Schedule I drug by the DEA. Unfairly so, marijuana is treated as heroin in the eyes of the federal government. Marijuana can be manipulated by cross breeding to create certain strains with positive healing properties rather than other properties which cause the “head high”, often times considered psychotropic. The CBDs inside of marijuana have helped with epilepsy syndromes, cancer, bowel diseases, HIV/AIDS, and mental disorders

Marijuana, also called Mary Jane, pot, weed, or grass, is usually smoked in pipes, paper, or cigars called jots and blunts. For medical purposes some have been known to brew it in tea or mix in food (Drug-Free World, n.d.). Smoking marijuana has been known to give smokers the quickest high which usually wears off in several hours. Smokers experience this high from the hallucinogen compounds found in marijuana, such as the commonly known compound THC. Marijuana, in fact, has more than 500 chemicals that make up this drug. Some of the effect associated with marijuana includes sensory distortion, short term memory loss, poor coordination, increased appetite, anxiety, and increased heart rate. Studies have found that despite its side effects, marijuana has been effective with treating pain association with different types of disorders and diseases (Feature, A, n.d.).

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.

Marijuana is a very significant and controversial issue in today’s society. Derogatory claims have been made about marijuana, otherwise known as cannabis or hemp. Marijuana arrived in North America with Christopher Columbus around 1492 A.D. The leafy flowering hemp plant, known as marijuana, was used for industrial goods such as clothing, ropes, and sails (Tudor). Distinguishing between marijuana and hemp has always been confusing. Plants containing less than one percent THC are called hemp, which is used in the production of industrial products. Plants containing ten to twenty percent THC are known as marijuana (Tudor). Without properly educating themselves on the history about marijuana, numerous individuals are against the legalization

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.

Marijuana legalization would allow for legal distribution and taxation of cannabis as well as decrease expensive enforcement and incarceration costs. Political authorities debate whether legalization or decriminalization is necessary. Derived from the hemp plant called Cannabis sativa, marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States (Glauser). Usually smoked in a blunt, joint, or pipe, the dry, shredded brownish-green mix of stems and leaves can be mixed in food, or brewed into a tea. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannibinol (THC) is the main active chemical that rapidly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream when someone inhales marijuana. Once the THC reaches the brain, the chemical reactions lead to the “high” that users experience when they use marijuana. Only lasting a few hours, these effects are short term. More realistic concerns question whether or not users will become addicted to cannabis. “Compared to other substances, marijuana is especially un-addictive; it’s often paired with drugs like alcohol, cocaine, and heroin, but when discussing addiction, a much more appropriate comparison would be to caffeine” (Glauser). As a non-addictive substance that can be therapeutic, reduce arrests, and boost the economy, marijuana should be legalized.

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.

Medicinal marijuana “refers to using the whole unprocessed marijuana plant or its basic extracts to treat a disease or symptom.” The marijuana plant has many different cannabinoids in it. These chemicals, if used incorrectly or in a harmful manner can cause pose major health concerns and even result in something as serious as death. Marijuana is often called the gateway drug and giving the plant that name completely changes how people view it. However, contrary to the problems that are encountered, there are several cases in which marijuana has been very effective. Marijuana contains over 100 cannabinoids that alter the body in one way or another. The human body naturally produces some of the chemicals found in marijuana. These

Economic analysts from all over the United States have predicted that we spend $20 billion dollars a year to fight a senseless war on marijuana. According to the United Nation over 94 million people in the United States have admitted to using marijuana at least once. This number is not shocking, because marijuana is a safe and harmless drug. Marijuana is used for several different medical purposes. It is also healthier than already legalized drugs. The prohibition on marijuana is failing, there is no valid evidence that it decreases drug use. People view marijuana in a negative light, because of the propaganda and bias opinions they have heard their whole life. If people would wake up and open their eyes, they will realize the legalization

Marijuana, also known as cannabis and by numerous other names, is a preparation of the cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or medicine. Marijuana in Wikipedia says that “Marijuana is often consumed for its mental and physical effects, such as a "high" feeling, a general alteration of conscious perception, heightened mood,