The Editorial Board At Northeast Ohio Media Group

In the society we live in, everybody wants to be right. People will have their own unique stance on any controversial subject, and marijuana is no different. Marijuana is a very important topic of discussion especially in the current election season. The drug is discussed on television, social media, and virtually everywhere on the internet. In the article “This Is Why Marijuana Should Be Legal Everywhere” associate viral content editor for The Huffington Post, Renee Jacques, challenges traditional notions of the prohibition of marijuana by brilliantly using rhetorical appeals to persuade you to join the majority. Contrary to Jacques, John Hawkins, writer for www.townhall.com, takes a different stance in his article “5 Reasons Marijuana Should Remain Illegal” holding tight to the traditional, negative view of the drug by using a mixture of logos and pathos to make you question why any human with a brain would smoke cannabis. Although both writers use rhetorical strategies to persuade you to their respective side of the argument, the differing degrees the authors use those strategies renders Jacques’ article much more persuasive to a general audience.

A controversial topic often being advocated for by sitting governors is whether the legalization of marijuana is more beneficial or harmful to the economy. Marijuana, also known as weed, is a mixture of the dried and shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the cannabis sativa plant. It’s the most widely used illegal drug in the United States, even though studies have shown results that the benefits of using marijuana for medicinal or recreational reasons far outweigh the negative matters that may be associated with its use. While marijuana is still a controlled substance under federal law, thirteen U.S. states currently have compassionate use laws in place, which allow for regulated medical marijuana use. By legalizing marijuana, the government is helping the economy by reaping medical and financial benefits, not only at the state level, but also at the federal level. Taking into account the numerous studies done with marijuana on whether it is for recreational use or medical purposes, the government cannot go wrong in legalizing marijuana because of such an impact it will have. Marijuana should be legalized for recreational purposes because it will help society economically and socially.

The topic of legalizing recreational marijuana in the United States has been a very controversial one. States such as Colorado and Washington have gone on the offensive and have legalized recreational marijuana and have enjoyed the high revenues brought in from cannabis sale. On the other hand other states have kept low profiles because they are wary of the possible negative outcomes of legalizing recreational marijuana and are using the states of Colorado and Washington as guinea pigs to see what their next course of action on this controversial topic should be. This is not only a highly debated topic among politicians, but also by the people. According to a poll conducted by the Pew Research Center 52% of Americans

Marijuana is a drug that is an ongoing issue in the United States for many years debating about whether it should be legal, so in 2010 the state of California proposed the “Tax, Regulate, and Control Cannabis Act” for voters to vote on which would make marijuana illegal. Charles Stimson, a former assistant U.S. Attorney specializing in crime, had strong opinions about what he thought about the issue and was paid to write an article by the Heritage Foundation where he could voice his opinion about legalized marijuana. In his article “Legalizing Marijuana: Why Citizens Should Just Say No,” Charles Stimson tries to persuade his audience, voters of California, that they should vote against legalized marijuana. He tries to persuade his audience

In the essay “Marijuana Should Not Be Legalized,” there are four supporting arguments stated of opponents on legalizing marijuana. For instance, opponents argue “scientific reports show harmful effects of habitual marijuana use” (2). In addition, prominent politicians in Massachusetts contend “legalization provides a veneer of acceptance that will encourage children and teens to try it” (3). Furthermore, “legalization will give the cannabis industry the same incentive the alcohol industry has to encourage excessive use and lobby against tax and regulation” is argued by opponents (6). Lastly, the essay counters “legalization has already had negative consequences on

Right after the U.S. Department of Justice announced in March 2009 that it would no longer prosecute marijuana patients and providers whose actions are consistent with state medical marijuana laws (Meyer & Glover, 2009, para. 1), political windows suddenly opened for California marijuana reform advocates to push for legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. As a result, California Proposition 19, the Regulate, Control & Tax Cannabis Act, became a ballot initiative on November 2, 2010 statewide ballot. Supporters argued that legalizing creational use of marijuana would help California to regulate the use and sale of marijuana, reduce correctional costs, redirect its court and law enforcement resources to other more serious crimes, and collect additional exercise taxes and sales taxes that would help with California’s budget shortfall. In spite of being a

On November 8th 2016, Arizonans will exercise their right to vote for or against Proposition 205, the Regulation and Taxation Act, that could legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Arizona. Currently, in Arizona, marijuana has only been legalized for medicinal purposes and participants must be registered and carry a medical marijuana identification card. Similarly to when Colorado, Washington and Oregon all proposed the same measures to legalize the recreational use of marijuana over the last four years, there is strong opposition as well as solid support of the amendment in Arizona. In spite of the rhetoric from the opposition, the passing of proposition 205 will prove to be far more beneficial than risky as it will generate revenue

In the 2012 Oregon general election Oregonians narrowly defeated Ballot Measure 80, The Oregon Cannabis Act when 55 percent of registered voters voted no. Measure 80 would have allowed unlicensed adults the right to personal cultivation, and use of marijuana as well as allow commercial marijuana cultivation and sale to adults through state-licensed stores. Currently, marijuana cultivation, possession, and delivery are prohibited except for approved medical conditions. After the election The Oregonian newspaper published an editorial written by The Oregonian Editorial Board stating Oregon lawmakers should legalize the

Imagine a world where marijuana became legalized.Most believe that legalizing marijuana would would be a be dangerous thing to do and should stay illegal , while others see it as a use of good reliable sources.From a philosophical point of view, individuals deserve the right to make choices for themselves. Marijuana has been tested and proven to provide a very positive impact on the American society for many reasons. Some of these reasons are for America’s economy, health and even crime. The debate to legalize marijuana in the United States of America has been fought over nonstop since the existence of the drug and its effects. Marijuana should become legal in the state of New Jersey.

This article is about many people that want to make profit from selling marijuana, and the challenges that it brings in the California markets. For all these people that cultivate and sale this drug will be hard for them to make a profit in the California market because of the state's legendary regulation and the enormous black market. California will be another state in the united states that will be legal to sale marijuana to adult 21 and over starting, on January one, but before all this happen the states of California will have to prove some rules. In my opinion not matter how good the regulation is it will be impossible to stop people of misusing this drug. There will be many young people walking into a wrong path because many young people

Despite the size and scope of the pro-pot campaign, Issue 3 failed on November 3, 2015. Some have said, with the increased momentum towards marijuana legalization in the United States, it is just a matter of time until another marijuana related issue makes its way back onto the ballot in Ohio. Currently, a number of other groups are already looking to the next election and the possibility of passing their very own version of a marijuana amendment to the Ohio

But manages to also include some ideas that might have greater impacts like the industry becoming money based and starting to lobby for their product as well as health implications on the state. Like I stated before it gives facts that support the authors cause but does not give any sources of the facts and has unsupported assumptions. In my opinion with the slight bias towards the legalization it still managed to put out the facts and get the message across of the state benefits including lower incarcerations, lower crime as well as a good tax revenue that will help fund the state education on marijuana. As well as lowering the black market for illegal

In the Washington post article, “25 states now call marijuana “medicine.” Why doesn’t the DEA?”, by Christopher Ingraham, the journalist portrays the politically popular question over the legalization of marijuana through the eyes of Ohio’s recent legislation and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) opinion. Ingraham begins by stating that John Kasich recently signed Ohio’s medical marijuana bill into law, while expressing that it is restrictive, in the sense that it does not allow users to smoke it. Therefore leaving them to eat or vaporize it. It also prohibits patients from growing marijuana and only limited conditions are able are to receive this form of treatment. Ingraham later continues to say that medical marijuana activist established

Mr. James Franklin is the director of the organization called, Make Pot Legal Now and believes that Nancy Harrison, the governor of Midland is opposed to the legalization of marijuana and he claims that marijuana has many benefits if it is legalized. Also, local businesses could possibly sell marijuana, but will follow the rules of the law. Also, the marijuana transactions in West Bend, Colorado are very successful and crime rates have decreased. For instance, Mr. Franklin claims that there will be many economic benefits and people will not have to spend their tax money on arrests or being charged if marijuana was legal. Mr. Franklin is implying that Midland could be a safer and better place for the people living there.

Healy wrote this article stating her negative opinion on marijuana, and in addition explaining why she agrees with the research. The National Institute of Drug Abuse agrees with her that marijuana is harmful to our brains and hearts, particularly younger ones. This statement tells all of her opinions on the matter, “But as I see it, in an age of responsibility, protecting our young people’s health is the stronger imperative and should rightfully keep policymakers from cozying up to this brain-toxic drug” (Healy 10). Bernadine Healy is out to convince her consumers and audience they should not agree with the legalization of marijuana in the best interest of their