Power Of The Plant How many Americans have been in a situation that they couldn't help or fix, although they have tried everything they could think of? Joe sufferers every single day with the disease Parkinson's. This causes Joe to constantly shake out of his own control. He struggles on a daily to do the simplest things in life like holding a spoon steady. He has been prescribed a variety of different drugs for the past 10 years and none of the medicine worked for this man until his doctor prescribed him with medical marijuana. Joe has never supported the use of marijuana, but he thought he would give it a try. Minutes after use, the use the chronic shaking went away and he was able to speak clearly without stuttering. He was relaxed …show more content…
For example, most of these people would say Marijuana is a gateway drug. Which means some users who choose to ingest marijuana into their body over a long period of time tend to build a tolerance for the drug, which would later lead to the desire to try new drugs to peak their high again. Due to the stereotypical view of what most people think about this drug and how the perception of a lazy, unmotivated “smoker” sticks with most americans is sad. These same people will say Marijuana users will not only become highly addicted to the drug, but they will also more than likely drive impaired on the substance itself. “ ASAM contends that legalization would increase use, thereby increasing the negative effects of use such as addiction, drugged driving, and illicit use by teenagers.” (Marijuana Legalization honest debate). If a user chooses to use the substance on a daily routine, it could become habit forming. After the user is dependent on the drug they tend to set aside the important stuff in life. For example, one may chose to leave or set aside their job or their family members to get their next high, which later could lead to unemployment from the lack of motivation the user is experiencing or loss in family members. Legalizing this drug induced apathy and could lead to high unemployment rates in the states that do choose to legalize …show more content…
We are now teaching students about medical marijuana in states like Colorado and California that has already legalized marijuana for recreational use, there are college courses students can take to learn about the cannabis industry. Not only do they get to grow their own plant, but they have teachers to walk them through step by step on every aspect about the plant and how it works. Later these students could open their very own dispensary if taken seriously. Legalization will increase safety control in schools, this means there will be very little marijuana being sold on the streets due to the high quality cannabis being sold in dispensaries to users 21 and older. Providing these schools for students will reduce a lot of drug crime violence. “The price of marijuana would drop significantly—up to 80%—with the market price for users depending on taxes and regulation.” (American Society of Addiction Medicine) this shows the benefits of the legalization process and how it could be helpful in the future. Most Americans are aware of the drug violence that goes on in many states, and as more and more states choose to legalize marijuana, fewer people will have to be illegally getting the drug, leading to crime rates dropping significantly. Legalizing marijuana weakens big drug cartels by taking away their main source of income. In most states drug distribution rates dropped between 20% and 30%
It has also been shown that marijuana contributed to the decrease in alcohol consumption, traffic fatalities and suicides (Estoup, Moise-Campbell, Varma & Stewart, 2016, p. 1881). Some also suggest that with legalization, there should be regulations which could assist with minimize the effects which may arise with daily use. These suggestions include placing taxes on marijuana products based
In the past decade, a number of movements to legalize the use of marijuana has been gaining momentum. According to the 2016 Gallup survey, a record high 60% of Americans say that marijuana should be legalized and this figure marks a 9% increase compared to 2014. Support for legalizing marijuana was 31% in 2000, 50% in 2016 before reaching 60% last year. This shows that despite government efforts to eliminate its use, marijuana is becoming more popular. It is clear that
Many in favor of legalization would state that marijuana has minimal health risks, is not addictive, can treat many major illnesses. One interesting statistics suggests that the legalization of medical marijuana actually lowers the abuse or experimentation of marijuana use in youth. Also, legalization of marijuana in all states suggests an overall decline in crime rates. One can assume that legalization would provide necessary medical treatments for those who need it, less abuse of marijuana use, and a lower crime rate involving drugs. It has been said that marijuana is safer than many other drugs that are already legalized, and marijuana has never killed anyone from an overdose.
Since marijuana was legalized there have been dramatic results. States that allow the use of marijuana have increased the public’s awareness of the drug’s effects. After an increase in public awarness, many people are setting the drug aside due to long-term effects. If other drugs were made legal in the United States and their long-term and short-term effects were taught, it is very likely that there would be a decrease in their use. People are less inclined to get hooked onto drugs when they realize it could kill them.
With the pressure to legalize marijuana rise for government officials, protesters argue that decriminalizing marijuana would help society and benefit the people living in the Unites States. In states that have already legalized marijuana, it has been documented and proven that marijuana usage has been higher than before legalization, even if the consequences were very severe (“Marijuana Decriminalization”). If people are so highly dedicated to continuingcontinue using marijuana, even with their lives and future at stake, what could stop them? Marijuana has been proven to be a “gateway” drug, therefore, if marijuana were to be legalized, eventually other harmful substances could be legalized as well causing many deaths and various forms of
Colorado, Washington and Oregon can be used as examples, showing us that a tax rate of 30 percent is not sufficient in reducing black market crime surrounding marijuana. Many proposals suggest that a rate between 10 and 25 percent may be more efficient in eliminating the black and gray market1. If Ohio implemented a tax of 15 percent, they could still produce 192 million
The black market, controlled by criminal organizations, poses a threat to public safety, as it operates outside the regulations. However, by legalizing drugs and establishing a regulated market, the government can gain control from illegal organizations and direct production, distribution, and sale through the regulated market. According to research from the National Public Radio (NPR),” Making pot legal and regulating it like alcohol, they say, could raise millions in tax revenues, and wipe out the black market” (Will Legalizing Pot Wipe Out The Black Market). As people choose the legal market over the illegal one, the demand for illegal drugs diminishes, causing a direct blow to the criminal organizations' revenue streams. Legalizing drugs can lead to a reduction in drug-related violence, as turf wars and conflicts over control of the black market significantly decline.
As a nation we have come to point where we must take a unified stand on the issue of marijuana. Since 1937 the drug has been deemed illegal by the U.S. government but over the best decade, people have been pushing for the decriminalization of the cannabis plant. As a non drug user, i have researched the internet in search of unbiased information regarding the drugs health, economic, and crime influences on society. The fruits of my labor have brought me to the undisputable conclusion that our continued restriction on possession and use of the drug not only violates the liberties of U.S. citizens, but it also is costing Americans Billions of dollars, and something, our lives.
People believe that if marijuana is legalized users will get addicted. Marijuana use disorder become what is known as addiction when “the person cannot stop using the drug even though it interferes with many aspects of his or her life” (“Is Marijuana Addictive”). Although addiction is a problem, out of all the people who use marijuana, only 9% become dependent on it (“Is Marijuana Addictive”). Also, opioids and painkillers are very addictive as well, and they can lead to an overdose resulting in death. The second concern is abuse.
The legalization of marijuana would create an increase in jobs because it will create a new industry. It can create many businesses related to marijuana such as spas, textiles, paper, marijuana dispensaries, and many others. All of these will help boost the economy. The only reason it was banned was because of a man named William Randolph Hearst wanted to eliminate a textile competitor because he was using hemp to create his textiles. Hearst was big in the media so he launched a marijuana prohibition movement and later got marijuana banned in Congress.
The Dichotomy of Marijuana Terrance Lafromboise University of Montana Marijuana has issues with perception. While many view it as a gateway drug to harder substances, others keep an open mind to its health benefits. When consuming marijuana you can develop problematic use known as marijuana use disorder (MUD); however, it doesn't take a form of an addiction until severe use. This includes individuals that are unable to abstain from the drug regardless of the personal issues it imposes (NIDA, 2017-2). Compared to other ethnicities, research has shown that Native Americans use illegal substances like marijuana at more significant rates (Mitchell, 2003).
Today the demands are changing in different states. In States such as Colorado and Washington, marijuana has been legalized for recreational use. This move raised several questions as far as decriminalization of marijuana is concerned. Besides portraying the US in a bad light, legalization of marijuana for recreation increases the risk of developing mental problems, increases government expenditure on public health, jeopardizes the future of children, and is a gateway to other dangerous drugs. Increased health problems and public health expenditure-
When looking at the solution to making this happen correctly there are clearly right and wrong ways of handling the disruption of marijuana when it becomes legalized. Moreover, there has been a clear wrong model within the alcohol industry, “But if the model for alcohol hasn’t worked well with alcohol, why immediately replicate it with marijuana?” (Lopez). Furthermore, within other industries whether it be in the alcohol or tobacco industry there is a clear issue with the way they advertise in the media. It is clear that they are just trying to make money by selling it as something it is not.
Why Marijuana Should be Legal Marijuana is a very prominent issue in society today. Many false and slanderous things have been said about marijuana in recent times. But the truth about marijuana continues to reveal itself. Sadly these truths are being criticised because of the stereotypical view that many people call the typical “pot smoker”.
Students who smoke weed are inapt to getting lower grades and less likely to graduate. Workers who smoke are more likely to experience a variety of absences, problems, tardies, accidents, etc.compared to workers who don 't. Marijuana is an addictive and dangerous drug. Sources Used: Margolis, Robert. " Legalizing Marijuana Would Harm Teens." Legalizing Drugs, edited by Stuart A. Kallen, Greenhaven Press, 2006.