...overdoses. Given this fact, the classifications for legal and illegal drugs are quite unbalanced. Marijuana is currently an illegal drug. Its primary contents are the cannabis plant and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Along with cocaine and heroin, marijuana is classified as a Type 1 drug, meaning that its use can result in maximum penalties in state or federal prison. Currently, the only states with legal authorization to medically administer the drug are California and Arizona. Marijuana use should be legalized in all states because the reason for its previous abolition is nonexistent today, research supporting its use is kept hidden from the public, it is safer than most legal drugs, it does not contribute to the use of other drugs, and it proves effective in the medical field. The use of marijuana should be legalized because the government’s reason for prohibiting it does not apply today. According to Charles Schaffer, founder of the Schaffer Library of Drug Policy, “Marijuana was outlawed in 1937 as a repressive measure against Mexican workers who crossed the border seeking jobs during the Depression. The specific reason given for the outlawing of the hemp plant was its supposed violent ‘effect on the degenerate races’” (Schaffer, sec. 1). Government used the prohibition of marijuana as a discriminatory tactic to keep foreigners out of the United States. In outlawing the use of marijuana, the plan backfired – more Mexicans entered with large supplies of the drug. Lawmakers were more...
Words: 1777 - Pages: 8
...22 April 2014 Argumentative Essay: Legalization of Marijuana In most countries, possession and use of marijuana is considered illegal. In fact, it can be noted that for many years, marijuana has been considered to an illegal drug in most countries. Today, some countries have legalized marijuana while other countries have not. In particular, small quantities of marijuana 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 marijuana 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 marijuana should be legalized, and why it should not. Primarily, marijuana 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 marijuana would be a disadvantage to people who suffer from diseases that use marijuana as a major component in their...
Words: 456 - Pages: 2
...Kountz i Outline Thesis statement: Many people argue that marijuana is a mind-altering, dangerous 22, and should remain illegal. This hasty generalization is not correct. Marijuana has many beneficial attributes,18 therefore28 it should be legalized. Marijuana used for health benefits. The applications of Marijuana. Marijuana as a stress reliever. Marijuana increase sick patients appetite. Medical marijuana can improve patients quality of life. Marijuana allows patients to maintain nutrition Marijuanas impact on the United States Economy. If marijuana is legalized it will help stimulate our economy. 1. Legal marijuana will make more business opportunities. 2. Legalizing marijuana will create new jobs. B. Legalizing marijuana would help decrease national debt. 1. Federal government can tax marijuana at a high rate. 2. The federal government can use marijuana tax to go against debt. III. America funds Mexican drug cartels. America pays top dollar for Mexican marijuana. Kountz ii Mexican drug cartels smuggle drugs across the border. American money funds Cartels. Cartels are violent Cartels kill many innocent people. B. America should legalize marijuana nation-wide. 1. Legalizing marijuana would help our economy and patients. 2. Legalizing marijuana will help stop Mexican drug cartels. Notes on outline. ...
Words: 1528 - Pages: 7
...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. The usage of cannabis for medical purpose is the strongest reason...
Words: 1281 - Pages: 6
...Legalizing Marijuana 1 Crystal N. Nichol Tiffany Davis March 5, 2012 Dying To Get High: Marijuana as Medicine People around the world are dying to get high, off the cannabis also known as marijuana to treat certain medical conditions, which is why marijuana is something that should be legally justified to treat specific pre existing medical conditions in all fifty states (Meltzer,2004). The controversial issue of legalizing marijuana for medical use is a worldwide concern, although thirteen states already have legalized marijuana for medical reasons. The legality of marijuana has been a hotly debated subject for decades until the government of US 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...
Words: 1409 - Pages: 6
...Critical Thinking Legalization of Marijuana There has not been one marijuana induced death reported to the U.S Center for Disease Control, yet every year approximately 79,000 deaths are reported for alcohol induced deaths. (CDC, 2010). Alcohol is clearly more dangerous then marijuana, yet marijuana is illegal in 27 states. There are several positive arguments about this controversial subject, which will be addressed in this essay. Legalizing marijuana in the United States would benefit citizens with certain medical conditions, stimulate the economy, and reduce drug related crimes. Even though marijuana is considered a Schedule I controlled substance, meaning it has no accepted medical use, it would still benefit many citizens in the United States with certain medical conditions if it were legalized. Currently 23 States have legalized the medical use of marijuana, as well as DC. (Carter, 2008). Using marijuana as a safe an effective treatment option for citizens who have cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma pain, epilepsy, and asthma provides benefits that cannot be found using anything else. (Carter, 2008).. It doesn’t have debilitating side effects and it gives a relaxing effect which lowers anxiety, reduces nausea and pain, and enlarges and relaxes the bronchial passage. It has been said that marijuana is psychologically addictive which is why it is so important to understand the medical benefits that marijuana offers. Any time something is used...
Words: 1218 - Pages: 5
...Should Marijuana be Legalized? BCOM/275 November 26, 2012 Should marijuana be legalized? Throughout the years, the topic should marijuana be legalized is often heavily debated. For many years the use of marijuana was forbidden and outlawed in the United States, but in more recent years marijuana seems to be becoming accepted. Scientist has found many useful applications for marijuana. Recently, here in the United States, many states have approved legislation for marijuana for medical purposes. Most recently, two states Colorado and Washington have passed referendums that will allow people over the age of 21 recreational use of marijuana without the penalty of a criminal offense. These two states will oversee the use of marijuana for its constituents similar to how alcohol is controlled. Whereas, the government at the state level in Colorado and Washington is in favor for the legalization and passed legislation for the legalization of marijuana, the federal government has not. This causes legal, moral, and ethical issues and begs that questions; should marijuana be legalized? Pros of Legalization One benefit of the legalization of marijuana would be the ability for state and local governments to tax the legal production and sale of it. Currently, because marijuana is illegal the sale of it is not taxed so the local, state, and federal governments do not reap any of the benefits of this “$10.5 billion dollar industry” (Miron, 2005, p.4). In a report written by Jeffrey A....
Words: 2543 - Pages: 11
...CNBC article on “Why we should not legalize marijuana”. A poll reveals that for the first time in history, Americans are more in favor of legalizing marijuana than criminalizing it. 2013 has marked a successful year for marijuana legalization, with Colorado and Washington both passing laws to decriminalize the drug. Now, fifty-eight percent of Americans are in favor allowing the plant to be legal. With the majority of Americans agreeing that marijuana should be legalized, those who are still on the fence about the natural plant should possibly reconsider their feelings. Around forty percent of Americans have already admitted to using marijuana. Ever since marijuana has been known to mankind, not one single account of death from overdose has been recorded. On the other hand, in 2010, 38,329 people died from drug overdoses and alcohol abuse. Contrary to popular belief, marijuana is not as addicting as one may think. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent, recently wrote in his essay, "Why I Changed My Mind About Weed," that we have been "systematically misled" on marijuana. He reports that marijuana leads to dependence in around 9-10 percent of adult users. Cocaine hooks about 20 percent of its users, and heroin gets 25 percent of its users addicted. The worst culprit is tobacco, with 30 percent of its users becoming addicted. Medical marijuana is important to a lot of people. According to a Discovery Health article, marijuana has been extremely successful in relieving...
Words: 462 - Pages: 2
...Marijuana Legalization Many people have been debating for years on whether Colorado should or should not legalize the use of Marijuana for the people of the state of Colorado. With the world evolving and viewing things different, I agree with the use of Marijuana being legalized. Marijuana also known as “weed, pot, or grass” is a green mix of dried, shredded leaves, stems, and seeds from a plant called Hemp. The active ingredients of Marijuana are THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (Cannabidiol). The effects from the use of Marijuana would be increase of appetite, increase of heart rate, lowered blood pressure, sensation of heat or cold, and relaxation of the muscles. The passing of Ballot 64 will allow anybody over the age of 21 years old to use or posses no more then an ounce of marijuana in the state of Colorado. The catch to the Ballot is that the use of Marijuana in public or driving under the influence is still illegal. There are many reasons why you could say marijuana should be legal or illegal in the state of Colorado. Many may say there are positives in the passing of the ballot, such as legal ramifications, medical issues, and economic issues in Colorado. In this essay I will discuss the positives of the passing of Ballot 64. First off many people that oppose the passing of Ballot 64 will say that it will create more crimes in the streets of Colorado. This would have to be false in my opinion. An article from The American Interest says “Legalizing marijuana...
Words: 949 - Pages: 4
...Argument For Legalization of Marijuana Primarily, according to the UN, 3.8% of the world's population uses Marijuana (Crockett). Marijuana is a plant that can grow almost anywhere in the world. It’s a mild hallucinogen that when used, causes a temporary high and the sense of euphoria. Although there is currently a war on Marijuana, through the government's upholding of the law, and a large amount of the American population to overturn the legalization of Marijuana that took place originally in the 1930’s. In view of mass immigration of Mexican immigrants, using “Marihuana” as they referred to it along with came a bad reputation for cannabis. Doctors Malik Burnett and Amanda Reiman even went as far to say “claims were made about marijuana’s...
Words: 1383 - Pages: 6
...Legalization of Marijuana Name: Institutional Affiliation: Marijuana is one of the many names that are used to refer to Cannabis in different parts of the world. The drug is well known in cultures all around the globe and any topic that is tied to it generates intense reactions that are aligned in different directions. The conversation on the legal status of the use of Marijuana is always heated, with supporters and opponents all convinced that they are right (Hudak & Wallack, 2016). However, this essay analyzes this issue since it is one that cannot be ignored. Even the opponents must agree to consider what legalization of cannabis achieves, given that public support for it is only growing. It also seeks to lay out the negative implications of the legalization and finally balances them off against the benefits and makes its conclusions based thereon. Proponents argue that marijuana has been proved to have the ability to influence life positively. This is best captured by the medical use of marijuana in treating diseases. The drug has been proven to have palliative qualities and it has been accepted as a palliative agent in civilizations such as Canada on prescription. Additionally, opinion polls discovered that more than half of the American population would vote in support of using the drug for recreational purposes among adults (Ghosh, 2010). It would be imprudent to ignore the opinions of such a big proportion of the population for political leaders. The widespread...
Words: 818 - Pages: 4
...qwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmrtyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmrtyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmrtyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmrtyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwer...
Words: 2242 - Pages: 9
...Professor Course no Date Marijuana Medicine The term marijuana refers to the components of the hemp plant cannabis sativa after they dry .The use of the whole unprocessed marijuana plant or its extract is what is called marijuana medicine. According to the U.S Food and Drug Administration, this usage is illegal. The usage of some processed extract is legalized by the federal law. These are Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It is compound of marijuana that increases desire for food and reduces nausea .It also act as an analgesic and an anti-inflammatory drug. The other one is Cannabichromene (CBC) which has the same function in addition of being an antiepileptic drug(Owen, Sutter, and Albertson, 4 ). Marijuana plant has been used for many years as a herbal medicine .In the ancient world marijuana plant was used to treat different ailment .In china it was used to treat menstrual disorder. In Egypt it was used as an antihelmithic drug .There is clear documentation of its use as a herb drug. The argument in the modern medicine is the balance between the benefits of marijuana and the health risk it has to the user(Owen, Sutter, and Albertson). In America, 23 states and Washington Dc has legalized the usage of smoked marijuana in variety of medical conditions. The federal is still clear, that the use of marijuana is illegal. According to the Director National Institute of Drug Abuse, the call for the legalization and the acceptance of usage of marijuana as a recreational drug is evident...
Words: 3511 - Pages: 15
...Legalization of Marijuana English 102 Nicole Ramos University of Phoenix The Legalization of Marijuana When an issue receives mixed feedback or stirs up arguments from two different points of views there becomes such a thing called controversy. The legalization of marijuana has always been an issue for many; however they only are basing facts upon it being illegal, so it must be dangerous for the human body? Wrong, the world is so blinded by ignorance that they can’t see statics about alcohol and cigarettes being more harmful to the body and people are dying every day because of these two legal substances. This illicit drug has and can help many medical patients that have been diagnosed with cancer to help cure or ease the pain for good. How is it fair that half the states are legalizing it for medical purposes and even for anyone to walk into a dispensary as if they wanted a scoop of ice cream and then walk out like it’s completely ok? If one state allows it, then every other state should. Not one case has been proven that anyone has overdosed or died because of smoking too much marijuana that alone should show the effects of a true killer that is legal: alcohol, versus one that has never made someone injure themselves to the point of death. In high school students learn that marijuana is known as a gate way drug (studymode).This means that once trying this drug eventually it will lead to wanting to try other drugs. This I know for a fact is wrong because anyone you...
Words: 1600 - Pages: 7
...Kevin Oliveira Professor Madritch Expository Writing 30 November 2011 Leslie Marmon Silko: A Closer Look Into Racist Struggles The controversial dilemma of illegal immigration is a prominent part of politics today more than ever. Leslie Marmon Silko’s persuasive essay, “Fences Against Freedom,” exemplifies the constant battle on racism and immigration our nation faces today. Through her own experiences, she has concluded that the government evokes racism among the population in a negative manner. Silko’s essay explains that the government is a body that is not to be trusted and that their mischievous ways trickle down the ladder to us. She speaks for all persons with mixed ancestry on the point that their lives are daily struggles as a result of our nation’s leaders and their misperceived views on race. Racism is one of the leading social problems that Americans can associate themselves with because it is seen everywhere and it is spreading the wrong message. The ineffectiveness of Silko’s argument, that the government and media is to blame for the apparent racism in the country today, is exemplified through her constant contradiction of statements and child-like motives. Silko blames the government for their actions that have affected her life as well as many other people of different race. Leslie Marmon Silko grew up in Native American home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is well known for her English and writing skills and she was raised as a Laguna Pueblo...
Words: 1459 - Pages: 6
