Why Marijuana Should be Legalized Essay

The most versatile plant in the world, with over 25,000 known uses, is currently illegal to grow and produce in the United States. These uses range from hemp paper to hemp biodiesel and even include food products. The raging problem of deforestation can ultimately be solved with the help of hemp industrialization in the United States. Hemp as a biodiesel could relieve our dependence of fossil fuels. Opening up hemp farms and factories to produce the product could create thousands of jobs and a new business for our country. The only thing holding back this wide market of positivity is hemp 's family member, cannabis marijuana. Hemp should be legalized in the United States of America as an industrial product. Its uses date back

Marijuana, more botanically referred to as “Cannabis sativa” or “Hemp,” is a multiuse plant valued for its tough hemp fibers

Cannabis has been used as an agent for achieving enlightenment throughout all of time. It is described in an Oriental medical compendium traditionally considered to date form 2737 B.C. It has a long history of being used as a medicinal herb. Its origins spread from China to India and then over into North Africa and could be found in Europe as early as 500 A.D. It was a major crop in the colonial North America. It was extensively grown during WWII.

Willie Nelson once said, “I think people need to be educated to the fact that marijuana is not a drug. Marijuana is an herb and a flower. God put it here. If He put it here and He wants it to grow, what gives the government the right to say that God is wrong?”

Cannabis was used by almost every ancient civilization for, but not limited to, ropes, clothing, medicine, and recreation. Marijuana has only been illegal for the past 73 years. The interesting thing about it’s illegality is the fact that Cannabis used to be very legal in the United States. Prior to 1937, cannabis was the largest agricultural crop in the United

is wasted on a cause that there seems to be no end to.” In 1989, a

Only last month the Encyclopedia of Astrobiology reported that 6.6% of the general public claimed to have consumed marihuana. There are many reasons floating around on why marijuana should not be a legal substance and it has become a very controversial topic. Marijuana alters the crime rates in the U.S since it is illegal to own or consume. Therefore, enforcing the law on marihuana gets expensive for the state due to the fact that there are many people incarcerated creating a cost of over 44 billion dollars a year (mic.com). So with the legalization of marijuana those costs would disappear and the tax imposed on to the drug would drive the economy up. Society would be ecstatic that the economy would begin to recover but there is still speculation that the drug would be abused. Since the drug would be such widely available that the prices for the drug would decrease there forth making it prone to abuse. Yet, all the benefits it will provide for our society would outweigh the few negative impacts weed legalization would provide.

First and foremost, marijuana is legal in some states in the United States but for medical use only and other countries such as Canada have already allowed for medical marijuana to be used. (“17 Legal Medical Marijuana States and DC – Medical Marijuana – ProCon.org.”) The fact that states and other nations have allowed the use of marijuana for an important aspect like medicine should be considered in the argument of making the drug legal. Especially since it has caused no problems being used that way. Marijuana as medicine can be a pain reliever for its users. It is also beneficial to the everyday person for relief of migraines, OCD’s, ADHD, ADD, and even prevention of Alzheimer’s. The drug also has no proven or tested medical drawbacks (“10 Major Health Benefits of Marijuana.” COED. ) Unlike other drugs like sleep aids, painkillers, alcohol and cigarettes, marijuana is not addictive. Of course the argument could be made that it is but there is no factual evidence that proves this point. People that are anti-marijuana legalization will say that it is unhealthy and bad for you. All of these assumptions

Cannabis sativa, more commonly known as marijuana, is a highly controversial substance in regards to its’ use for medicinal or recreational purposes. The term marijuana refers to the dried leaves and flowers of the marijuana plant which are most commonly smoked for their psychoactive properties. The current research on marijuana as a medicine and recreational drug is inconclusive, but as research continues and legislation is relaxed marijuana can be utilized to its full potential and may be a good replacement for tobacco, alcohol, and some prescription drugs.

Marijuana legalization has been argumentative and complicated issue to our country for as long as one can remember. The prohibition of marijuana has been the subject of debate for decades, but now the discussions are moving from dorm rooms and dinner parties to state legislatures and federal hearing rooms. Over 98 million people over the age of twelve has smoked marijuana. Despite its many practical uses, medical, and of course recreational use. Our government insists on preserving the status of the growth, possession, and use of marijuana as a crime. In contempt of the evidence that the legalization of marijuana would have a positive influence on America in many different ways.

Weed, bud, ganja, chronic, dro, herbs, grass, trees, pot, reefer; these are all names of the one drug that causes so much dispute, marijuana. Loved by so many, and hated by the law. It’s a two sided argument which everyone has their own opinion on. Is there any specific reason why weed should be illegal, or is the government just making money from catching people with it? Is there any real medical purpose for marijuana, or is it just a gateway drug for kids? These are the questions everyone should know the answers to. Whose side are you on?

Cannabis, formally known as marijuana is a drug obtained from the tops, stems and leaves of the hemp plant cannabis. The drug is one of the most commonly used drugs in the world. Only substances like caffeine, nicotine and alcohol are used more (“Marijuana” 1). In the U. S. where some use it to feel “high” or get an escape from reality. The drug is referred to in many ways; weed, grass, pot, and or reefer are some common names used to describe the drug (“Marijuana” 1). Like most drugs, marijuana has a very long history. People have been using the plant around the world for thousands of years. The oldest record of the marijuana plant dates back to 2727 B. C. in China where the plant was used as a medical herb for treating conditions like rheumatism, gout, malaria and even absent-mindedness (“Cannabis, Coca, & Poopy: Nature’s Addictive Plants” 1). Slowly, the plant started spreading around the world. By 1545, cannabis was starting to appear throughout the western worlds. Being introduced to South America by the Spanish to be used as fiber. The crop also had many other common uses around the world. In North America, cannabis was often used to make paper, ropes, clothing and other materials (“The Origins of Cannabis” 1).

Many people claim that there is no known case of people dying due to marijuana. This is a half truth since it’s not the marijuana itself that kills; it’s its side effects. Marijuana causes lung and throat cancer much like cigarettes. As a matter of fact, marijuana is worse for the lungs, since it contains three times as much tar as cigarettes and it’s usually smoked without a filter. They also claim there is not nearly as much crime due to marijuana use compared alcohol. This is also true but for one simple reason. Alcohol is legal and more easily accessible than marijuana. It’s the fact that marijuana is illegal that is keeping these numbers so low. Legalizing marijuana would be like adding fuel to a fire. If marijuana were to be legalized these number are sure to increase.

It is heavily debated as to whether or not marijuana should be legalized. There are numerous reasons for and against legalizing marijuana, some say that the government can tax it, some say that it helps with certain medical conditions. People also say that it is not a gateway drug and does not lead to drug abuse. Then there is the question of should we legalize it now even though there is no way to test the levels in your blood at a routine police stop. There are some really good points as to why marijuana should be legalized and some good reasons as to why it should not be legalized, the truth is that people are going to smoke marijuana whether it is legal or not.

Marijuana is a cannabaceae plant, which has always been associated with negative connotations until recently, when it has been discovered that this plant may be used to cure diseases and improve a country economy. Thus, the American opinion is split on the question of “Marijuana Legalization”. In fact, a survey undertaken by CNN/ORC International Poll states that 55 % of Americans believe that the use of marijuana should be legal, while only 44 % think it should be illegal (CNN). I also share the American majority opinion since there is some evidence that marijuana yields positive results.