Should Marijuana Be Legal?
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Institution

Should Marijuana Be Legal? Marijuana is a drug extracted from cannabis sativa plant. It has several uses, which include smoking, fuel, and manufacturing of fiber. Smoking takes the lead in its uses and bears the identity of the plant. Large volumes of documented facts about this drug are in existence, but the legality of the drug remains arguable. In some countries such as America, the drug is illegal, while it is legalized in other countries such as Jamaica. Research has proven beyond any reasonable doubt that the spread and use of the drug among populations is deep-rooted even in countries where it is illegal. This stamps a question on the illegality of the drug and the effectiveness of its prohibition status. The beneficial documented facts about legalizing the drug critically surpass the benefits gained if it is prohibited. Everything in this world has two faces, the positive, and the negative. Individuals have personal freedom that is protected by the constitution of a given country. Prohibition of marijuana induces restrictions to the excise of this freedom by those who use it (Rosenthal, Kubby, & Newhart, 2003). The government has a right to withhold this freedom, only when its use interferes with or harms another individual. The use of marijuana has neither known direct interference effects to non-users nor does it harm the health of the user; this is unlike other legalized drugs such as alcohol. Therefore, the prohibition is illegal when it limits the freedom of self-determination accorded to all human beings. Religious expression is another freedom individuals are entitled to and has to be protected and respected by the government and law. Individuals uphold different beliefs and religious practices; curtailing the religious practices of one religion and upholding the other’s is tantamount to discrimination based on religious believes. This contravenes the constitution. Thus, the use of marijuana by Rastafarians in religious ceremonies should be accepted in the same way the use of alcohol is accepted by the Catholic Church in masses. Prohibition of marijuana will deny these individuals their freedoms to practice fully the religion of their choice. The immorality of any drug can only be determined by a set moral belief governing a given community. Prohibition of the drug has brought more harm than good; this is according to evaluation research done on the effectiveness of prohibition strategy. The war on the drug has been rampant, but results show a contradicting result; there is an increase in its use. The legal prohibition has not stopped users and traffickers from accessing the drug (Rosenthal, Kubby, & Newhart, 2003). Resources allocated to the campaign have been wasted, with more costs added to the taxpayer, who now feeds and maintains prisoners in jails because of the use of marijuana. The prohibition has also created a black market, which elevates the prices of the drug. Consequently, due to the increased prices and effects of drug addiction, users engage in crimes to fund their craving. The government also loses a lot of money, money it would get through taxes if the drug would it be legal. Politicians have an indirect personal benefit in the campaign against marijuana. By virtue of taking a moral stand on the fight, drug, or its effects on the community, it gives them audience and a political mileage. Therefore, their stand may not be based on truth and facts that would benefit the community, but rather on assumptions that give them audience (Rosenthal, Kubby, & Newhart, 2003). In the operation of their businesses, most of the drug traffickers have political support from various corrupt government officials. The same politicians come in public to proclaim the gospel of prohibition of the drug. The fight is counter effective. Criticism on drug wars, use the theory of “forbidden fruit” to show that legalizing the drug would have an impact of reducing the drug popularity and usage. This is because legal supply of marijuana would lower its price and directly harm the illegal drug industry. New drug users are always being enrolled into the system because of curiosity and peer pressure. If the drug were made available, the curiosity would fade. The availability of the drug would lower its prices, and many anticipate that the price reductions will boost the growth of the industry. This is not true because of inelasticity of its demand. This is particularly possible only if an effective regulatory system such as that of medicinal drugs is incorporated into the plan (Lloyd, 2011). The regulation would also clear off any marketing activities associated with illegal drugs. Drug traffickers and users have committed more crimes because of the illegality of the drug, and its marketing methods. Marijuana has other uses apart from being a recreational drug. The drug is known to boost appetite, and can be applied in medicine as a drug for AIDS and cancer patients (Boire & Feeney, 2007). The hemp plant is a natural resource just like any other that has agricultural and industrial benefits. For example, the plant can be used to make fiber and high quality paper. Making it illegal means these benefits would be wasted. Legalizing marijuana would improve its production and allow for the use of modern manufacturing process that produce highly purified quality substance for human consumption. The expected output for this is a reduction in health costs resulting from the use of unpurified product. Cases of overdose and intoxication would be minimal because of standardized and regulated dosage. The legalization of the drug would also provide a legal ground to put to task the companies that manufacture and distribute the drug. This would force them to take the responsibility of improving the health of their customers. A telling example is tobacco-manufacturing companies that have been sued and forced to take responsibility by creating awareness of the harmful effects of their product to their users. A typical packet of cigarette has the following phrase “Smoking Tobacco is Harmful to Your Health” printed on it. Alcoholic beverages also have their concentration clearly marked on the container. This warns the public of what they are about to consume and gives them a choice to exercise free will. Marijuana use, though considered immoral has no direct, harmful effects to third parties that could be induced by a user (Dale, 2006). However, prohibition of the drug disrupts families by subjecting others to prison, jail, and death. With the legalization of marijuana, these families would maintain stability and run smoothly. These are among the failures that have been associated with illegalizing wars and campaigns. Evidence lies in countries, which have achieved success through legalizing the drug. These countries have recorded zero crimes associated with the use of the drug, unlike in those countries that have prohibited it. In conclusion, human beings have a free will to choose the use of any drug whether it has medicinal effects or not. Only the individual has the choice whether to give up this freedom or not. The government is limited in directing individuals, what to choose or leave. The government has no right to restrict individuals from willingly taking harmful drugs and exposure their bodies to risks. A standing example to this is the cases of obesity that causes hundreds of death annually, yet the government cannot control the amount of food individuals eat. It is also evident that marijuana can be legalized since it has remarkably few harmful effects to the community at large. Its control can also be well managed and overall usage reduced. When prohibited, the reverse effects we observe today will continue to persist in the years to come. This arises due to the failure of the war on drugs to produce tangible fruits as provided by the evidence.

References
Boire, R. G., & Feeney, K. (2007). Medical Marijuana Law. New York: Ronin Publishing Limited.
Dale, H. V. (2006). The Origins of Cannabis Prohibition in California. Contemporary Drug Problems, 26(2), 13. Retrieved from http://www.canorml.org/background/caloriginsmjproh.pdf
Lloyd, J. (2011). Tough New Cannabis Laws for WA. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved from http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/tough-new-cannabis-laws-for-wa- 20110717-1hjq2.html
Rosenthal, E., Kubby, S., & Newhart, S. (2003), Why Marijuana Should Be Legal. New York, NY: Running Press.