The Over Baked Marijuana Debate
Arnold Schwarzenegger once said, “That is not a drug. It’s a leaf.” The leaf he was referring to is marijuana. Skeptics view marijuana as a hazard to society and the well-being of our country’s people. Although, for others it is a solution to their disease. This kind of marijuana is medical marijuana, and it has the ability to provide relief to many, if only it was fully supported.
However, there are many debates over whether or not medical marijuana should be legalized. Essentially, marijuana is a plant with leaves like any other plant (Blachford 267). What sets it apart is tetrahydrocannabinol, otherwise known as THC. This component is responsible for the psychological effects of marijuana (Gerdes 89). An initial evaluation of its usefulness earns marijuana to be classified as a schedule I drug, meaning there is no valued medical use and it’s highly abusive (Dresser web). Although, in the past, the Food and Drug Administration allowed AID patients to use it because it was their last hope (Stempsey web). Then in 1937, marijuana was made completely illegal. Illegalization of the substance was enacted by the Marijuana Tax Act, which also made marijuana for medical purposes illegal (Blachford 265). Some states in 1996 tried to combat its illegal status by proposing propositions to allow prescribed marijuana usage, but it was denied (Dresser web). Eventually, by 2009, fourteen states made medical marijuana acceptable, and currently, in 2014,
Why Medical Cannabis is still federally banned? Well Marijuana has been illegal since the 1950’s, due to the enactment of federal laws like the “Narcotics management Act of 1956” that set necessary sentences that relate to drug-related offenses, as well as marijuana. A Montana grower is now in prison. “Chris Willams a Medical Marijuana grower in Montana now faces the rest of his life in prison because a Medical Marijuana law was canceled.”This law didn't include the medical use of Marijuana. I believe Medical Marijuana ought to be legal below tax and distributed to only patients with treatable diseases.
The use of marijuana for medicinal purposes is a long-standing controversy. For centuries marijuana was prescribed to alleviate symptoms associated with a variety of illnesses. Anti-medical marijuana sentiments began with the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. In 1970, the Controlled Substances Act banned the use of marijuana completely, categorizing it as a drug with no medicinal value, high abuse rates, and detrimental health effects (http://www.farmacy.org/prop215/apha.html). Since 1996, numerous states including California, Alaska, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington have passed medical marijuana initiatives supporting the right to prescribe marijuana for seriously or terminally ill patients (http://www.marihemp.com/marimed.html). The American Public Health Association and the Institute of Medicine represent two organizations that have recently researched and endorsed advancements in the study of medical marijuana. Both groups support the use of marijuana for specific treatments, such as reducing nausea in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, stimulating the appetites of AIDS victims, and limiting spasticity in MS patients.
Medical marijuana has been one of the most controversial topics in politics for years regardings its legalization and any possible benefits. Marijuana is commonly referred to as the “gateway drug” and has been thought to be what causes the downfall of our youth in today’s society. This has caused Marijuana to earn a bad reputation due to the immense surrounding propaganda and bias opinions. Cannabis is the scientific name of the plant which is absolutely natural and free of chemicals, but the psychoactive components in the plant has been proven to be of medical use. If medical marijuana is prescribed correctly it has the potential to help thousands of patients due to the variety of benefits it can medically provide. Medical Marijuana should
The use of medical marijuana is a controversial topic because many find it beneficial as others find the usage to be recreational. Many people may find that the usage of medical marijuana may eventually be over prescribed. The use of medical marijuana has increased over the years for treatments to multiple diseases and conditions, but it was not always this way. Although it has been dated to early years, there were periods of times where medical marijuana was illegal. In my opinion, I think treating patients whom are
Anslinger also tried to confront the public relations nightmare that resulted from many popular entertainers, such as musicians and Hollywood actors, who were known marijuana smokers. Anslinger warned that there were “100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz, and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and any others.” Some jazz musicians even celebrated their marijuana use with songs such as “That Funny Reefer Man” by Cab Calloway, “Gimme a Reefer” by Bessie Smith, and “Muggles” by Louis Armstrong. Accordingly, he kept personal files or “gore files” on many celebrities.
First, from 1900 to 1940, marijuana, including opium and cocaine were considered part of everyday drugs. As time went on, the U.S. cracked down on crack and opium, eventually outlawing them, but continued to be very “loose” with the use of marijuana. Hoxter a weed smuggler explains how he began in the 1960’s trying weed and years later saw himself unloading four hundred pounds of pot in Vancouver. The story of this man ends in his isolation and argument of why he couldn’t smoke weed even if he stopped selling? He asked a parole officer and she didn’t know what to respond. It is true what Hoxter states, fifty years ago alcohol was illegal and now it’s not, was it bad then? Will weed be legalized? And will the conflicts have been in vain? (Schou 8). Around the late 90’s and early 2000’s, scientific studies started to produce jaw-dropping results. Scientists started to discover that marijuana can significantly help people who have become ill. Medical Marijuana has been tested to help people with cataracts, cancer and severe depression (Zeese 1999). With this new worldwide discovery, the argument about medical marijuana ignited. States wanted to only make medical marijuana legal so it may help sick people, but the government did not want any form of marijuana legal. The law that was known throughout the United States was any form of marijuana was illegal. But now with this new discovery, doctors in states across the country want the
The medical marijuana debate is an interesting one because there’s such a wide diversity of opinions and views that oppose each other. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug. They consider these drugs to have no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse and to be some of the most dangerous drugs, because they’re highly addictive and may cause severe psychological or physical dependence. Other Schedule 1 drugs include heroin, LSD, ecstasy and meth. Many who are against marijuana believe the drug is dangerous, harmful and feel it should remain illegal.
The General perspective that society throws on marijuana is that equal to any drug; negative. However, many researchers have found that the effects of marijuana for medicinal purposes can be beneficial to the right patients, as well as the United States government. The negative effects from marijuana use in a medicinal environment are far less than that of most over the counter drugs, while the benefits remain the same. There are instances in which marijuana was legalized for people with prescriptions from licensed doctors; however, full legalization is leaps and bounds away from the current status. Another way full legalization could help is money the government uses to try and fight marijuana
For years there has been a controversy over the legalization of marijuana. Marijuana is a drug made from the top of hemp plant. In the united state, it it classified as a narcotic drug that has been illegal. Since 1937.Unlike most narcotics through, It does not cause physical dependency or addiction. Intoxication may cause sedation, plesent tranquility, mood changes, and altered sense of time space, and body dimensions. Such effects are desired by many and condemned by others. The debate on legalizing marijuana for medical use is not just a simple pro/con debate. It is very complex issue that has many different approaches to it and in each of the approaches there are difference of opinion.
Medical marijuana should be legalized at the federal law for medical purposes because the federal government does not like the idea of legalizing marijuana and bans the use of medical marijuana, but there is a growing number of states that feel differently, so that is why it should be legalized. Back in 2012 18 states including Washington, D.C., legalized medical marijuana. These states legalized it for people with conditions such as epilepsy, cancer, chronic pain, and etc. These states still cannot stop the federal government from imposing its own laws. These federal drug laws were unreasonably extreme. Consider the case of Chris Williams, who opened a marijuana greenhouse in Montana after the state legalized medical marijuana. Many people feel the need to legalize medical marijuana so why not legalize it? The only thing holding people back is the federal law.
Marijuana is the most controversial topic in 2014 and 2015. The argument is to be for or against marijuana. I don’t believe in the legalizing of cannabis, but the situation could be viewed from both sides. You can’t take proper taxes on marijuana because it has been around too long. Marijuana is defined as the “dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant that are smoked as a drug” (i.word.com). Marijuana is very controversial because it is surrounded by so many questions such as: Are people more depended on marijuana? Will legalizing Marijuana increase the use? Does marijuana mess with your mental health?
The whole topic on whether marijuana usage should be legal or not has been a hot debate topic for quite a while now. The use of marijuana has become even more popular, mostly with the younger generations. Many people fought on how it could be useful those who are sick in America and that need medications that could maybe help calm their disease and make it possible to overcome. Currently, you can legally smoke marijuana without a doctors note in 9 states and use medical marijuana in 29 states. 64% of Americans favor legalization, and even a majority of Republicans back it as well. (Robinson)
Some medical reasons that marijuana shouldn’t be decriminalized are that it has long and short terms effects. Examples of the short term outcomes include memory loss, difficulty with thinking, loss of motor skills and increased heart rate. According to the National Institutes of Health show that someone smoking about five joints per week is taking in as many cancer causing chemicals as someone smoking a pack of cigarettes every day. There is no science proof that smoked marijuana can be used for medication. Since cannabis plants are polluted with a range of fungal spores, smoking marijuana may increase the risk of infectious organisms. Taradiff, J. "Marijuana and the War on Drugs. “Marijuana. Farmington Hills, Michigan: Thomas Gale, 2008. 157. Print.
Marijuana is controversial issue in America today. The drug plays a big role in today’s society and people do the illegal drug daily. Marijuana is a misunderstood drug, because it supposed to be used for medical reason and not recreational reason. Marijuana deserves to be discussed and understood. The definition of marijuana drug, the effects of marijuana, and its question of legalization all explain the reason why people should not use marijuana.
Cannabis is the most hated but yet very beneficial drug in the world. The United States has had strict laws against the use and distribution of marijuana since 1937. (The Union, Brett Harvey) Federal and state laws on medicinal marijuana are very different from each other. Cannabis has a lot of health benefits, this is the reason California was the first state to legalize it for medicinal purposes. (How weed won the west, Kevin Booth) People in America have been getting arrested for the use and possession of marijuana since it was outlawed. Charlie Lynch was one of those people in 2008. (Lynching Charlie Lynch, Rick Ray) I believe medical marijuana should be a legally taxed substance in the United States.