Should Australia Legalise Marijuana?
Table of Contents Hypothesis: 2 Introduction: 2 The Effects of Cannabis 2 Can the Drug Be Medicinal? 2 Decriminalisation 2

Hypothesis:
While there are some benefits of using marijuana, the adverse consequences are responsible for some of society’s highest social and legal problems. Therefore is it a good idea to legalise it or at least decriminalise it, so that it would at least save money that is spent on controlling the drug?
Introduction:
Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in Australia. According to a 1998 survey, almost 40% of Australians over the age of 14 have used cannabis at least once (Rees, 2002, p. 15). The majority of casual users of the drug show no signs of serious damage. Although Dr Tim Rolfe, the deputy director of the Dandenong Area Mental Health Services, says that research shows; “An increased risk of schizophrenia for regular users of cannabis” (those who use more than 50 times a year) (Healey, 2002, p. 34). There are arguments saying that if drugs were legal, then more people would become users, therefore it is reason enough for it to remain illegal. Others say that users only take drugs because of the thrill of breaking the law, and by making them legal it would make taking the drug less attractive. Therefore it is just a method of entertainment, and there is no reason for it to be illegal (Rees, 2002, pp. 24-25). In some countries, addiction is seen as an illness rather than a crime and the drug is decriminalised as a personal drug use. With this, users are able to have a small quantity of the drug without being arrested. If the amount of possession is over the set amount, the user is fined but not incriminated. Many see this as a compromise instead of fully legalising the drug. Cannabis produces euphoric and relaxed atmosphere to the user. While influenced by this drug, they