An article recently posted on CNN caught my attention. Stuart Gitlow, wrote an article called “Marijuana legalization is a risk not worth taking” bashing the possible positive outcomes that can be brought from marijuana legalization and viewing this delicate situation from a very narrow point of view. The opinions presented are strictly Gitlow’s views, not brought about by anyone else. In this article, Gitlow starts out by comparing marijuana to cigarettes back in the 1980s. He references back to when he was in college and how he would see cigarette smokers everywhere. He then compares this to current day society, even though smoking rates have drastically dropped it still is a huge problem. He tries to basically say that if marijuana is legalized …show more content…
In the start of the article he tries and imply that if marijuana is legalized that it will end in the same outcome that cigarettes did. Marijuana cannot only be used for recreational use but also can be prescribed as a form of prescription medicine to treat several illnesses, pains, and diseases, which was not addressed to the audience. If he did then readers would have a little background knowledge on this drug. Furthermore would a man with a PhD or such a high degree prescribe something that can possibly hurt his or her patients? These doctors and physicians are the ones who see marijuana as a medicine not as a dangerous drug. Comparing marijuana to cigarettes is not a good claim Gitlow made. When have you ever heard of someone using nicotine products to treat a disease or illness? Nicotine products are the cause of many illnesses or diseases and even death. Yes, marijuana can cause COPD as Gitlow states but who says you have to smoke marijuana to get the positive effects from it? There are many different ways you can ingest the THC from marijuana into your system without smoking it. You can eat THC edibles, drink THC drinks, takes TCH pills and many more forms are available to avoid smoking marijuana to get its affects. The article lacks an enormous amount of information that would assist the reader to make a decision if marijuana is indeed bad and should not be …show more content…
“Since only a small percentage of state prisoners are there for marijuana offenses, how much would we be saving in criminal justice costs?”(Gitlow 2015) He is basically saying that some help is the same as no help. I hope the audience would view his opinions on this negatively so judges can stop giving shorter sentences to criminal who deserves longer ones for violent acts. Marijuana is legal to buy in the states of Washington and Colorado but there are still 48 states yet to jump on the bandwagon. Those that believe marijuana should be legalized feel it would alleviate our criminal justice system, overcrowding in jails, and save billions of taxpayer dollars. Illegal sales would not exist to such a high extent as they are right now. This would make all criminal activity associated with it null and void. The justice system could then focus on other issues that are having a real impact on our
In a 1970 article about drugs, narcotics, and the government, “Drugs: Case for Legalizing Marijuana”, Gore Vidal explores how the illegalization of marijuana has created the opposite effect of what the legislation has intended to do. Vidal’s explanation and reasoning behind this idea is not entirely associated with drug users and the population in general, but also has a strong link to monetary gains in government bureaus and large-scale mafias. These financial motive claims are supported by logical appeal and evidence.1 To begin, Vidal points out that, “both the Bureau of Narcotics and the Mafia want strong laws against the sale and use of drugs because if drugs are sold at cost there would be no money in it for anyone” (par. 10). This statement
Thus began his vision, “Cannabis for Guns.” George believes a program that allows citizens to exchange their legal or illegal gun for a small amount legal cannabis could be very effective in reducing violence. The normalization of adult cannabis use through programs like this is a possible side effect the cannabis industry has been striving for. This program could unite people from what seem to be two sides of a coin. Imagine a world where the police reward people with pot and (at least in this instant) not
Marijuana is a controversial topic in America leaving everyone wondering, should it be or should it not be legal? Myself, having the similar question, looked at two different viewpoints regarding the issue. Only instead of primarily focusing on strictly marijuana legalization, I chose to specifically search for legalization of cannabidiol, oil that derives from cannabis. With using cannabis oil, or any drug, there is a risk that the product will give side effects, whether good or bad. According to Professors Wayne Hall and Louisa Degenhardt, they argue the latter: that non-medicinal use of cannabis has negative effects on a person’s health.
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
In today’s world, alcohol is acceptable, and marijuana is just plain terrifying. This “weed” is apparently taught to be a plague to society and only brings violence and criminal activity, Society is afraid of this drug, but fails to realize that both alcohol and cigarettes actually have some nasty side effects that are not present in marijuana. It has been proven that people who use alcohol usually are too drunk to rationalize anything, and can turn violent and aggressive out of nowhere, meanwhile people who use weed are calm and chilled due to its effectiveness as a mood stimulant (Marijuana Policy Project). In comparison to cigarettes commonly known cancerous side-effect, there has been no link to pot and lung cancer (National Organization
They say that marijuana is addictive, leads to harder drug use, interferes with fertility, impairs driving ability, and injures the lungs, immune system and brain. They say that medical marijuana is a front for drug legalization and recreational use.” ("Procon", 2016). Let’s look at driving for example, alcohol warns not to dive after consumption, prescription narcotics also warn people not to drive or operate heavy machinery after consumption. The reality of it is that thousands of people in the United States are still doing it every day even though they are told not to.
Legalization will take the profit out of drugs, 2. Legalization will eliminate the black market. , 3. Legalization will dramatically reduce crime. , 4.
Back in the early twentieth century, marijuana was mainly used for medical purposes in the US. Now, both it 's recreational and medical use is increasingly being consumed by the population and the tendency is to continue increasing. Much has been said about the use of marijuana as a solution to different health problems, and although not everything that is said is true, it cannot be ignored that marijuana can help in the treatment of some cases of adult patients. CNN’s chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, was opposed to the medicinal use of cannabis. Based on his knowledge as a neurologist, he was convinced that the drug was dangerous and had dismissed its supposed therapeutic benefits.
Sorting Through the Science on Marijuana, written by Itai Danovitch, touches on what marijuana is, the innocuous and detrimental effects it can have on a body, and how the legalization of this drug would affect the rates of marijuana use. Throughout the piece, Danovitch speaks from an unbiased point of view; he is neither for the legalization and use of this drug nor against it. Itai Danovitch not only establishes a dependable and impartial article, he also connects to the reader, both, emotionally and logically through statements validated by facts. Itai Danovitch, M.D. receives his credibility from his profession as a doctor. Not only does Danovitch state facts, he also, provides an adequate amount of information along with the citations
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
These people claim that smoking marijuana is harmful to the lungs and brain development of teenagers. Cigarettes have the same, if not greater, damaging effect on human lungs yet the government does not infringe upon Americans’ right to take such health risks. Although there have been no scientific study to validate that smoking marijuana damages brain development, a simple resolution would be to make the legal age for smoking and possessing marijuana in the mid 20’s when the brain is completely developed. The argument of the dangers of marijuana can also be made for the opposing side. Illegal and unregulated marijuanna posing far more dangers to people than if marijuana was regulated by the government.
Thus, marijuana is a drug that brings pleasurable and enjoyable feelings to the mind and body, and with these being the effects it could cause one to move onto harder drugs risking a life of substance abuse. *possible thesis statement, come back once you've established all your points the way you want it* Marijuana is a drug that can be consumed many different ways ranging from ingestion to inhalation. The effects brought upon one who chooses to consume it are described as “pleasant euphoria” and give a sense of “altered perception…” (come back to citation). As mentioned previously, marijuana is a schedule one drug.
The topic of this controversial essay will be about is the legalization of marijuana. I will be advocating for the legalization of marijuana. The legalization of marijuana is so controversial because it was outlawed in the past, but now people are discovering new things it could do and wish to have it legalized once again. The legalization of marijuana can offer medical benefits, generate a lot of tax money, and decreases prisoner space. The legalization of marijuana can offer many health benefits.
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-
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.