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Why Marijuana Should be Legalized Essay example

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Debate on why Marijuana should be legalized
Marijuana is a public name for an illegal substance (drug) produced from the Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) plant. It is also called weed, ganja, grass, kaya and pot. The drug has many chemical compounds and in particular, it has THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) which is responsible for changing mind functions leading to alternations of cognition, mood, behavior, perception and consciousness. “It is the most widely used illicit substance in the world” (World, 2010, p. 198). Its usage includes religious, medicinal, recreational and spiritual purposes. In the beginning of the 20th century, in most countries marijuana was illegalized.
In our society today, a big debate has emerged. People are …show more content…

If the drug use was legalized, there would be ways to regulate and control its accessibility and usage among kids and the youth. A regulated, legal market in marijuana would reduce its sales and use among the young individuals (Marijuana, 1999). Since it is not, many kids and teenagers can easily access the drug and take it in. “Marijuana dealers usually do not care how old you are as long as you have money” (Marijuana, 1999). Since our aim is to lessen the drug’s consumption, we need to have open programs to enlighten the youth about the drug, regulate its usage among kids and have treatment and rehabilitation programs for individuals with Marijuana related problems.
The government has tried to use criminal penalties to prevent Marijuana use for over 75 years (Marijuana, 1999). This has been done by trying “to chase peaceful people who happen to like to get high” (Marijuana, 1999). Locking them in prison only worsens their situation. This is because they can easily get the drug in prison and continue to consume it. These people need to be understood and taken to treatment and rehabilitation centers.
According to Pi (2007), Marijuana was illegalized due to another reason. In 1930, the drug was illegalized “in the United States for population control of Mexican and Black minorities” (Pi, 2007) because legislators were “afraid that one day the minorities would overthrow the white government” (Pi, 2007). Such a reason is irrelevant.

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