Pros And Cons Of Legalizing Marijuana

Topics discussed also include what social or economic effects that decriminalization of marijuana has had on the United States society. The heated-debate situation of marijuana today mainly results from the discrepancy between federal laws and state laws. By analyzing different laws, we can gain an insight into why marijuana is legal today in most states. Also by looking at the social and economic consequences of marijuana legalization in certain states, we can better understand why other states still consider marijuana illegal. This article provides a different and unique angle to explore the research topic by comparing legislative difference among laws.

Marijuana should be taken as a medical remedy and not a financial gain by the government. By having a hefty and easily obtainable amount of marijuana on the streets we allow our youth to gain access to this drug stimulating the “stepping stone” effect which inevitably leads to the use of harder drugs. Extreme marketing techniques from marijuana distributors will attract consumers by using tacky and attractive

This subject has been debated numerous times over the past few years. People’s points of view and researches about the topic have varied greatly. Some people believe that marijuana should be legalized, while the rest feel should stay prohibited. Proponents of marijuana argue that there are numerous medical benefits and that the drug is not more harmful than tobacco or alcohol. On the other hand, opponents argue that marijuana is too dangerous; its legalization would increase the chances of the drug falling into the hands of teens and that marijuana use often progresses to the use of more dangerous drugs like heroin and cocaine.

Marijuana has had a significant amount of medical breakthroughs in its ability to help treat many diseases and disorders such as, glaucoma muscle spasms and even anorexia and bulimia. However, despite these many medical advances, there still lay many controversies surrounding the topic. Marijuana supporters argue that the drug should be used in medicine and be legalized for recreational purposes; on the other hand, those against marijuana argue that it is a gateway drug and should not be used in medicine or recreationally.

Lately, the topic of marijuana legalization in the United States has been tremendously debated by government officials and marijuana users throughout the country. The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 banned the use and sale of marijuana in the United States (ElSohly). Marijuana should continue to be illegal because of its toxic smoke, use as a gateway drug, and damaging effects on the developing brains of our youth. I personally believe marijuana should remain illegal in the United States for the benefit of our children, our society and our nation. Some people in this country honestly think that marijuana can be beneficial and base their reasoning on the recent legalization of marijuana in Colorado.

A final factor to consider when looking at the reformation of federal marijuana laws are the social costs associated with the criminalization of cannabis. The American federal government, through the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, categorizes drugs based on their potential for abuse and possible medical uses. A schedule V drug is considered to have clear medical efficacy and a low potential for abuse, while a schedule I drug is considered to be highly addictive and of no medical value. Of all the schedule I drugs, considered federally to be the most dangerous of controlled substances, only marijuana has been legalized on a state level, in direct conflict with Federal law. According to the Drug Policy Alliance, these federal laws, constituting America 's "war on drugs," have led America to imprison more people per capita than any other nation in the world (The Drug War).

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.

Conversely, certification of marijuana may clue to calamitous effects on our society. The concerns over negative effects on physical and mental health,

Truth Behind the Smoke During the 1940’s marijuana was seen by the United States in a negative light and Americans believed it offered no positive impact to American society. Since this time America has slowly changed its view by legalizing marijuana for medicinal use in very few states. The full transition began, however, once the following states Washington, Colorado, California, and Oregon legalized the use of marijuana for medicinal and recreational use. The legalization of marijuana has caused the United States to see the positive effects through marijuana’s medical benefits, lower incarceration rate, and an influx of revenue for the government.

The effects of marijuana both physically and mentally are only partly responsible for the dispute of its legal status as the government has to also take into consideration its effect on the economy and youth. In this essay, I will be discussing the pros and cons of the legalization of marijuana. Although studies show that marijuana is the least harmful recreational

Marijuana is considered the third most frequently used recreational drug in America and is thought, “to be no more harmful or addictive than alcohol or tobacco” (Fois, 2013; NORML, n.d.). Said statistics suggest that decriminalizing the use of marijuana

Marijuana is a frequently misunderstood drug. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit substance in the United States. Many assume that smoking marijuana can be hazardous, but little do the people know about the benefits it has to offer. Marijuana is a naturally grown plant that has been known to help those sick with cancer, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, mental and physical illnesses, and many more. In the article, “Medical Marijuana: Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection 2015” written by an anonymous author, the author mentions that the legalization of medical marijuana would give patients the free right to ease their pain in the own comfort of their home.

In American society, the use of marijuana, whether it’s medical or recreational, is a highly discussed topic. There are arguments for and against both recreational and medical marijuana. Between the arguments of safety and practicality, the truth about this drug has gotten mixed around and changed. Although it is believed that marijuana would only negatively affect our society, the use should be federally legalized, at least medically, in all 50 states because it has a very low risk when it comes to an individuals health, would improve the economy, and aid medical advances.

Recently the legality and criminalization of drugs, specifically cannabis has been greatly debated in the United States of America. Cannabis is a flowering plant that originates in Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent and has been used for centuries for hemp fibre in certain papers, medicinal purposes and recreational use (ElSohly). The recreational use of cannabis also known as marijuana was deemed illegal more recently in the United States’ history since 1937. In the articles, “Harmful Effects of Marijuana Use Are Exaggerated” by Paul Armentano, “Colorado and Marijuana Legalization One Year Later: What Has Changed?”

The history of marijuana as well as the information and studies drawn and discussed in this essay show that marijuana legalization for medical and/or recreational purposes will not only positively impact society, but also change the society’s idea of marijuana use as a deviant act. Deviant behavior negatively impacts society, therefore the idea that marijuana use is a positive impact for society will, in turn, change the idea that marijuana use is an act/form of