...The Decriminalization of Drugs: Costs and Benefits to Society The University of Pennsylvania Michael F. Harker March 21, 2009 Criminology 200-401 Instructor: John MacDonald Abstract History In 1973 the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was formed to control drugs in America. Cocaine became popular again towards the end of the 1970’s followed by crack in the 1980’s (DuPont, 1995, p. 463). These two drugs helped to account for a large increase in violence that was spreading like a pandemic. Today the DEA still faces large problems with crime due to drugs;however it is now in the form of organized crime. It is becoming increasingly difficult to stop shipments of drugs into and out of the U.S. as the leaders of drug cartelsare beginning to set up headquarters in foreign countries. If the U.S. does not take some action with reducing the penalty for certain drugs, then these drug lords will continue with their violent ways, and America will face even more problems with drugs than it currently does. The Problems Faced Today and Their Solutions A major concern of many proponents of decriminalization is that of the economic burden on society. Gary E. Johnson, former governor of New Mexico, stated,“legalization means we educate, regulate, tax and control the estimated four hundred billion dollar a year drug industry” (Johnson, 2001). By reducing the amount of money that is spend on the whole system for controlling drugs, the government would have more money to spend...
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...November 9, 2013 The Decriminalization of Drugs It goes without saying that America faces a drug addiction that is beyond anything we could have ever anticipated. It is reported that an estimated 22.5 million Americans suffer from a dependency from a drug of some sort, whether it may be stimulants, depressants or hallucinogens (NIDA 2). However these victims of addiction are often demonized for their condition and are treated as criminals by the infallible U.S. Government. As a result there is a trend of 1 in every 100 adults will end up incarcerated for a drug related offense such as possession (Drug Policy Alliance 1). So instead of treating addiction itself, many politicians decide that it is necessary to place these undesirables into prison in an effort to reform their ways. This trend of mass incarceration gained momentum in the early 70’s during the Nixon Administration with his “War on Drugs”, but in reality over the past 4 decades we have only seen the increase of drug addiction, overdose and any hardly any progress as a result. So where do we go from here? Well many liberals would whole-heartedly suggest that we legalize all controlled substances for recreational use, but that is a pipe dream reserved for a utopian society in a novel. Therefore I suggest a similar yet more conservative approach to this problem: the decriminalization of drugs. Instead of legalizing, which involves taxation and regulation of controlled substances; decriminalization simply removes the association...
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...formed in response to the society’s environmental ethical code. This is how does people demonstrate moral relativism even if it is highly liberal; however it does confide wreath ethical principles of marx and utilitarianism, Brian’s franchise is hurting no one. Which support his right to pursue a good career. Beside business would only harm himself which he chose to pursue the business in such hostile climate of the United States, where he would certainly. Marijuana dependence occurs in 9 percent of Americans who have ever used the drug, and between 33 percent and 50 percent of those who smoke it daily. Approximately 3.6 million Americans are daily or near daily users. In 20 years of marijuana dependence counseling studies at the University of Washington, those who’ve sought help averaged 10 years of daily or near daily use and had unsuccessfully tried to quit more than six times. There might be a big difference between legalization and decriminalization when it comes to the dependence issue. Surveys indicate increasingly...
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...Jennifer Boyd PHY-105 Shelley Evans 05/08/2016 Should Marijuana Be Legal? Marijuana has long been labeled a Schedule I drug by the US government. A Schedule I drug, has no medical benefits, known to have high a potential for abuse, and is declared not safe even with medical supervision. How can that be you ask, when many studies have shown the benefits of the use of marijuana for certain medical conditions. It is prohibition at its finest, serves no purpose and is a violation of our rights of liberty, due to the misrepresentation of marijuana. The legalization of marijuana has many benefits with increase revenue for the state, enormous medical benefits, and a significant decrease in violent crime and gang activity. A study done in 2010, by Cato, legalizing marijuana would generate over $8 billion in federal and state revenue annually. (HuffingtonPost, 2013) The cost of keeping marijuana illegal to this day is astronomical. “In 2012, Colorado voters approved Amendment 64, which legalized marijuana for full recreational use. The state now stands to raise hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes over the next decade.” The largest boost of revenue from the sale of marijuana comes from taxes. In 2014, Colorado, had a vast number of pot tourists visit the state and bring in over $10 billion in funds, even with the increased snow activity that would normally lower their tourism. Another benefit that comes with the legalization of marijuana is the money saved from unnecessary...
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...and many other established countries outlawed its use, smoking marijuana had been a widespread activity for thousands of years (Meltzer, 2004). Marijuana has been illegal in America since 1923. Since the authorities banned the recreational use, sale, and growth of this substance many groups have sprung up and protests have been organized to fight for the right to possess and use the plant (Meltzer, 2004). Opinions appear to be pulled in two directions: that the use of marijuana is an extreme social, moral, and health ‘danger’ that must be stamped out, or that it is an innocuous, pleasant pastime that possesses health benefits and should be legalized(Zimmer,1997). It may be some time before all the truths concerning the use of this ancient drug in our society are fully known. An understanding of the history and attitudes of peoples who have long used the plant may play a large role in furthering our handling of the situation in modern society (Zimmer, 1997). It behooves us to consider the role of marijuana in man’s past and to learn what lessons it can teach us: to maintain wise restraint in our urbanized, industrialized life or, to free it for general use. It appears that Marijuana may be with us well...
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...displayed in this article. First off, TIME magazine is a well-known newsmagazine that has been publishing articles on politics, world issues, and business related topics since March 3, 1923 (TIME magazine, 2012). They are also partners with Cable News Network (CNN) which is a respected news source. Both of these factors are enough to convince the majority of individuals to think they are reliable sources when reading information regarding certain topics. For the most part they are, unfortunately I found a correction noted on the bottom of this article which causes me to think otherwise. The correction states “ The original version of this article misstated a statistic concerning policing in the U.S. Marijuana accounts for 47% of all drug arrests, not all arrests” (TIME magazine, 2009). In most cases I would give TIME magazine the benefit of the doubt and accept that the mistake as a simple mistake or typing error. However, since this article involves a controversial topic and government...
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...With the November 2 elections right around the corner, there has been a lot of debate about the numerous propositions that are on the California ballot. One of the most controversial proposition is Prop 19; the legalization of marijuana. This is not the first time that a proposition regarding marijuana has been on the voter’s ballot. In 1996, California Proposition 215 (the Compassionate Use Act) passed, allowing the use of only medical marijuana. Proposition 19 takes marijuana legalization a step further, creating full legalization in California, and treating marijuana more like tobacco or alcohol. Proposition 19 should be passed, making it a stepping stone towards a national referendum on marijuana decriminalization and leading to a reduction the national debt. If passed, Proposition 19 will legalize the use of marijuana under California state law. It would permit local governments to regulate and tax the commercial production, distribution, and sale of marijuana. But with the legality of the buying and selling of marijuana, there would come many rules and regulations that are stated in the proposition that would adjoin to users. According to Yeson19.com, the proposition was very carefully written to protect medical user’s rights while at the same time, written to regulate the use and impose constraints on those same individuals (Control & Tax Cannabis). In addition, these laws could be viewed as fairly similar to current laws regarding the use of tobacco and alcohol. Some...
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...marijuana, but it was a small percentage compared to the number containing opium or cocaine. It was in the 1920's that marijuana began to catch on. Some historians say its emergence was brought about by Prohibition. Its recreational use was restricted to jazz musicians and people in show business. "Reefer songs" became the rage of the jazz world. Marijuana clubs, called tea pads, sprang up in every major city. These marijuana establishments were tolerated by the authorities because marijuana was not illegal and patrons showed no evidence of making a nuisance of themselves or disturbing the community. Marijuana was not considered a social threat. (http://www.narconon.org/drug-information/marijuana-history.html). The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 classified marijuana along with heroin and LSD as a Schedule I drug, i.e., having the relatively highest abuse potential and no accepted medical use. Most marijuana at that time came from Mexico, but in 1975 the Mexican government agreed to eradicate the crop by spraying it with the herbicide paraquat, raising fears of toxic side effects. Colombia then became the main supplier. The "zero tolerance" climate of the Reagan and Bush administrations resulted in passage of strict laws and mandatory sentences for possession of marijuana and in heightened...
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...There is always a great debate, for many years, on if marijuana should be legalized for all purposes, to include medical and recreational. The question should lie as to what is the actual harm that comes from making the drug legal. Why not legalize the drug and place a tax, just like the tax occurred on tobacco. In the 1890’s, marijuana/hemp was replacing the cotton plantations and it was a major cash crop in the southern states. The product was being placed in some prescriptions; it was even listed on the United States Pharmacopeia from 1850 until 1942. During this time, using marijuana for recreational use was not illegal. In the 1950s it was an accessory of the beat generation; in the 1960s it was used by college students and "hippies" and became a symbol of rebellion against authority. It was being used by musicians and the people in show business. During this time clubs were opening in most major cities and these were tolerated by the community because the patrons did not disrupt after using the drug. The government has tried to use criminal penalties to prevent marijuana use for over 75 years and still to this day marijuana is now used by over 25 million people annually. Now that Colorado and Washington have legalized use and possession of marijuana and 20 states have legalized its medical uses, many people, including virtually everyone who has studied the matter, hope that other states will also legalize and ultimately force the federal government to repeal...
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...Legalization In most countries, possession and use of cannabis that is also commonly known as marijuana is considered illegal. In fact, it can be noted that for many years, cannabis has been considered to an illegal drug in most countries. Nevertheless, today, some countries have legalized cannabis while other countries have not. In particular, small quantities of cannabis have been allowed in regions such as Europe, North America and South America. Moreover, in the United States, some states such as Washington and Colorado have also legalized the possession and usage of marijuana for medical purposes. On the other hand, various penalties are imposed for use or possession of cannabis in most countries. The penalties generally range from simple to severe punishments. Possession of small quantities of marijuana is not punished the same way as possession of large quantities. In this argumentative essay, I seek to argue the reasons why cannabis should be legalized, and why it should not. Primarily, cannabis should be legalized since it is used for medication, and its legalization means better and higher quality health standards. For example, Sativex is a recent drug that has been discovered to cure Multiple Sclerosis (Kmietowicz 89). The drug has been used in the United Kingdom to treat MS patients, and it has been found to work effectively. Therefore, banning of cannabis would be a disadvantage to people who suffer from diseases that use cannabis as a major component in their medicine...
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...Some will argue “there should be a right to physician assisted suicide under United States law to enable qualified patients to avoid unnecessary suffering, to enable qualified patients to die with dignity, and to respect those patients’ right to autonomy or self-determination” (Wellman 19). PAS is a humane and compassionate act to end an individual’s suffering when there is no hope of recovery. The loss of quality of life and tolerance for pain is unique to each person, therefore they are the ones that are most qualified to know when the time has come to make the decision to end their life. On the other hand, opponents of legalizing physician assisted suicide make several different arguments against the decriminalization of physician assisted suicide. They argue that the natural sacred way of life shouldn’t give an individual the legal right to decide about death. Some people are arguing that only God can decide when the end comes, and others are arguing that even without involving religion, human life should be considered too precious and short to...
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...Legalizing THC By Crystal Zambrano THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol is the chemical responsible for marijuana’s psychological effects. Many feel that marijuana is a harmful plant that can endanger lives and just another problem to be dealt with in society. But times are changing and people are recognizing the pros outweigh the cons for legalization. There are many reasons why marijuana should be legal but today I will focus on its benefits to the medical industry, the health risk as it compares to alcohol, the benefits legalization will have on our economy, and the penal system. For centuries marijuana has been used for medicinal purposes. It has many beneficial properties including: sedative, anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsive, reduction of dizziness, increases appetite, anti-nausea, and a bronchodilator. This can be a relief to so many people with medical conditions such as AIDS, glaucoma, hepatitis, multiple sclerosis, eating disorders, insomnia, seizures, cancer and many other issues. We don’t have the right to turn down a cancer patients request for THC as a treatment, or a child with epilepsy. I believe must have the option of medicinal THC for our loved ones, knowing it could alleviate their pain or prevent their seizures, how could we possibly tell them no? According to the CDC, excessive alcohol use is the third leading lifestyle related cause of death for people in the U.S. each year. In 2007 there were roughly 47,000 deaths due to alcohol and alcoholic liver...
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...yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat (BibleHub, 2014). This bible verse is the Senator’s attempt to get the use of recreational and medical marijuana legalized in the State of Oklahoma. Oklahoma has strict laws against the use and possession of marijuana, and a source used by the Senator shares some statistical information about the use of marijuana. The poll has support for medical marijuana use at 71% and support for decriminalization at 57%, but the poll did not ask about legalization (Sharpard, 2013). Under current Oklahoma law, possession of any amount can earn one up to a year in jail for a first offense and from two to 10 for a second offense, nearly two-thirds of respondents (64%) said offenders should be treated instead of jailed (Sharpard, 2013). Nowhere in the article does Senator Johnson mention the effects of marijuana have on individuals and their well being. The risks of marijuana use can vary from individual to individual, but one fact is known: marijuana can hang around in a person’s system anywhere from several days to weeks. While the drug is still in your system there are lingering effects. * Distorted sense of time * Paranoia * Magical or “random thinking” * Short-term memory loss * Anxiety and depression Marijuana is...
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...With recent changes in state laws regarding marijuana for medical use and even recreational use in some states like Colorado the debate on whether or not to decriminalize it’s use all together has never been stronger. To really address this issue we need to take a look at a few different aspects. To start the history of how marijuana became illegal in the first place. How legalizing marijuana would impact the Criminal Justice System and Economy of the US, and the social impacts of incarcerating individuals of seemingly minor drug charges. In short I hope to make a compelling argument for the decriminalization of marijuana. The first thing that came to my mind when thinking about whether or not to decriminalize the use of marijuana was, why is marijuana illegal in the first place? I did a little research and found some interesting information about the origins and uses of Hemp/Marijuana and how it became illegal. Marijuana was only recognized as an illegal drug as recently as the 1900s. Before this the Hemp plant was used to make fabrics, rope, food and much more. In fact one of the first laws in this country regarding Marijuana was enacted in Jamestown Virginia in the 1600s ordering all farmers to grow hemp seed. Over the next 200 years laws were passed that would send farmers to jail in times of shortages for not growing it because hemp was so important. It was even a form of currency early on and one could pay his taxes with hemp. Hemp was even the primary crop of George Washington...
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...What does research demonstrate about the effects of marijuana? The Effects Marijuana Has On an Individual Michael Garcia Motlow State Community College Introduction The use of marijuana is a much debated topic in most states. Marijuana has many effects to the human body that many people could agree on. Some effects may be good and some may be bad. Researches have come up with a conclusion on the effects it has towards the human body. For example, it helps with nausea and vomiting for people who are have chemo therapy. It is hard to determine all of the symptoms for using marijuana, since it is illegal in most states in the United States. In the view of a nursing student, she believes that people don’t have enough proof and facts about what happens to the body once it consumes marijuana. Either way she thinks they are some side effects in consuming marijuana like Hypertension, coughing, fast heart beats, and many more in consuming marijuana like Hypertension, coughing, fast heart beats, and many more. Dr. Michael Schwartz is testing and trying to figure out most of the effects marijuana does to the body. Review of Literature Colorado legalized the use of medical marijuana in the year 2000 (Scriber 1). This allowed people with serious illnesses and that are close to death. The people who have this benefit have to go through a physician approval. In the article Marijuana legalization in Colorado: a nursing student’s perspective, Kelly C. Scriber mentioned that...
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