The Pros And Cons Of Marijuana In Texas

I. Attention Statement: Legalizing marijuana in Texas has been a long-standing debate since 2005. Recently, just last June, a major breakthrough has been made on this highly contentious issue. The legislature passed the bill into law on the legal use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. However, progress has yet to be made on legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes, which accounts for most of the criminal activities in our state.

The truths about marijuana are slowly starting to resurface, the government keeps ignoring that cannabis could one day be as powerful for the U.S. Unfortunately, these truths about marijuana are under a lot of criticism because of the stereotype of what people see as a "marijuana or cannabis smoker." There is a great difficulty in this law because marijuana is still recognized as a harmful and dangerous substance in some states. This can cause problems because each state has their different views and opinions on the matter, and have their own rules and how the rules apply towards it. The twenty-six states and the District of Columbia currently have laws legalizing marijuana in some form, but California, Massachusetts, and Nevada just passed the law for recreational use. The states that have medical marijuana and recreational legalization are Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Nevada, and Alaska. The states that only have medical marijuana legal are Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico, Arizona, Hawaii (Ingraham). However, legalizing marijuana could have some benefits instead of being a drug with some bad reputations. Marijuana should be legalized because of medical reasons, safety reasons, and have some benefits to society.

The question of whether or not marijuana should be legalized for recreational and medicinal use has been a three decade long conversation. There are many pros and cons to legalizing marijuana. There are many different ideas about the effects of marijuana, but as with any drug answers are going to vary depending on the person you survey. Age, health, and mental stability are all factors to consider how a drug can positively or negatively affect you, and marijuana is no different. To be legal or not to be legal is the million dollar question up for debate.

The legalization of marijuana is a very debatable subject, some people think it is bad and should be illegal, and some people think it is good in some ways if used properly. It should be legal because it has few negative effects, it serves other purposes than getting people stoned, and it is better than other drugs.

Legalizing marijuana has been a topic of debate for centuries. In fact, the sale of marijuana has been regulated since the 16th century. Although the U.S. changed their policy on marijuana since that time, legalization is still a topic amongst lawmakers within America. Many want to legalize medicinal marijuana because it is an effective treatment for illnesses, while others oppose the legalization of recreational marijuana because it is a drug that causes the user to become stoned which can lead to impaired judgement and other consequences. Because the consequences of smoking marijuana outweigh the benefits, the state of Texas should only legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes.

The well known debate over the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in The United States has been ongoing since 1935. Recently Colorado and Washington have legalized the use of marijuana for recreational use. By doing so, the legalization of the recreational use of marijuana has become more of an issue than it already was and now brings other states to question whether or not they should legalize marijuana (Breecher). Which brings about the question is the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in Texas a good idea? I believe that legalizing marijuana would be a good idea. Just like the use of alcohol people should be able to choose if they want to use marijuana. Advocates of legalizing the recreational use of marijuana would agree, legalizing the recreational use of marijuana could yield substantial tax revenue, save the government money by decreasing the number of arrests and incarcerations, and quite possibly create a safer driving environment.

Texas has always stood apart in terms of reputation; known for its sprawling landscape, unique geography, proud heritage, and conservative views. Due to these characteristics, it is no surprise that, in the case of Marijuana, Texas has tended to lean towards a strict and firm set of guidelines. The initial piece of Texas state legislation passed concerning Marijuana was in 1919, when Texas decided to prohibit the drug within the state. Texas was the third state to do so inside the United States, and the law’s implementation set the foundation for proceeding policies.

Before 1937, marijuana was freely bought, sold, grown, and smoked in the United States. Since that time, all of these activities have been illegal, but many groups and individuals have fought to decriminalize marijuana. The congressional decision to classify marijuana as a Schedule I drug in 1970 has made the legalization campaign more difficult, since it officially established marijuana as a dangerous, addictive drug with no medicinal benefits.

Texas has had a long history of being a state that marijuana is smuggled into across the border with Mexico. The anti-marijuana laws in Texas are some of the strictest in the United States with high fines and long prison sentences. Currently under Texas laws the possession of 2oz or less can result in 180 days in jail and or a fine up to $2000 dollars, as well as your license being suspended for 12 months. So why does Texas take a such a harsh stance against marijuana? Why does Texas keep throwing money on fighting a war on marijuana? How many more of our fellow Texans are going to have their lives ruined over using a plant that grows out of the ground. Through research I will show and explain how the current aggressive laws and policy against marijuana in Texas effects not only the users, but every Texan.

Over the past few years, a portion Texans have joined in with other citizens across the United States to push for the legalization of Marijuana. Since Texas is considered a neighbor of Mexico, legalization of cannabis has its pros and cons. One beneficial outcome would be the use of marijuana medically. However, the drug has been used to make money from being transported illegally across the Mexican border. So far, "twenty-three states and the District of Columbia currently have laws legalizing marijuana in some form" (State Marijuana Laws Map).

Texas should legalize marijuana because regardless if they do or not it’s still going to be in Texas, it would better if they just legalize it so they can make money off of it.

Legalizing marijuana has always been an interesting topic for many people to dispute about. Some people say it is good, while others say it is bad. No matter what topic you speak about, it has its pros and cons. For example, marijuana can be used in great ways if legalized. Through money given from dispensaries to the crime rate lowered because of the ability to acquire marijuana in legal ways. Some bad examples are that it can be a gateway drug and can cause one to want a “better high” to people thinking it affects people's lives. Legalizing marijuana (medical and recreational) will help the United States with money, crime, and other numerous ways.

The topic of marijuana is without a doubt one of the most controversial topics in the United States. Even more of a debate, is whether or not marijuana should be legalized. There are so many questions that surround this seemingly harmless and "safe" drug. Some people deplore the use and handling of marijuana while others applaud it and want it legalized. The people that want it legalize simply want it for recreational use. This signifies that the drug will be for pure pleasure. There is no strategic and practical reason behind legalizing it. In Texas, there is a strict crackdown on anything that has to do with marijuana.

Marijuana is a current popular topic today. Currently legalized in 29 states, marijuana has medical benefits, but also some negative benefits. Marijuana should be legalized in Texas because it benefits people with serious illnesses and it financially benefits the state.

Marijuana is a controversial substance. It is considered a schedule 1 drug by the DEA but it is still legalized in 4 states for recreational purpose which include Colorado, Washington, Alaska and Oregon. Laws against the use, possession and cultivation of this plant are different in different parts of the world. People have been debating about its advantages and its disadvantages for many years. There are a lot of myths about marijuana and very few seem to be true. Most of the people know very less about this so they tend to go with all the ideas that the society has about it. It has a potential to play a significant role in the economic development of a country and lower the crime rates.