The legalization of marijuana (cannabis) has been the topic of much debate over the past couple of years. Although these debates have been present for decades, the relevancy of the arguments have skyrocketed with recent changes to marijuana’s legalization status. For example, California passed a proposition to legalize medical marijuana in 1996. 22 states have done the same, with others seemingly close behind. More recently, pot pushers have legalized recreational marijuana in select states (Martin, Time). This makes the debates surrounding the legalization of marijuana extremely important and vital to understand. Through much research, it has been undoubtedly proven that the legalization of marijuana will cause many unintended, harmful consequences …show more content…
The average citizen, someone who would normally not have any contact with pot, will experience increased availability to these drugs, as well as dampened connotations surrounding its use (Turner, The Federalist). Turner furthers, mentioning how you don’t have to be an unlawful citizen to try marijuana. All it takes is curiosity. Inevitably, marijuana will seep into our lives, becoming the topic of conversation, and soon everyone has become normalized with a drug that had been illegal just recently. Another chilling fact is the effect it will have on the nation’s teens. Subject to the atrocities listed above, minors have endless ways to get their hands on “just another fun smoke”. In the state of Colorado, a federal grant-funded agency published a report on detrimental effects the legalization of cannabis had on the population, 2 of which mentioned the increase of college and youth users (Stimson, 14). The dangers public use is the basis for all opponents of …show more content…
They argue that pot is harmless, and state that overdosing on marijuana has led to no deaths (“Drugs of Abuse”, 17). However true this may be, many studies only take into consideration the short-term effects of marijuana. Over a long period of time, marijuana has the capability to destroy students’ chances of completing high school or college, and make it 7 times more likely for them to commit suicide. Indirect deaths are the most common occurrence. That is not to say that the short term effects still aren’t devastating. Sedation, bloodshot eyes, increased heart rate, coughing, and decreased blood pressure are just some of the short term effects that pot has on the body (“Drugs of Abuse”, 17). It’s no wonder that so many die while driving under the influence of
Legalization can lower the crime rate. Not to mention that marijuana is an affordable alternative for those seeking it for medical purposes. In the same sentiment the health benefits of marijuana have surpassed the expectations of even the most skeptical. To end, the taxing of recreational use will impact our public schools significantly in a positive way. The children of the future deserve any chance for success.
In the “Marijuana: A Continuing Concern for Pediatricians” article the author points out the fact that marijuana is in fact “an addictive, mind-altering drug capable of inducing dependency” (Marijuana: A Continuing Concern). After some research this statement has been clearly supported. According to the author of “Marijuana: Breaking Down the Buzz” being under the influence of the drug has led to very poor decisions. Some of the poor decisions teenagers make while being under the influence include; people not completing high school, having failing grades if they are still in school, and doing reckless things while behind the wheel of a vehicle.
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 a survey conducted, it showed that over half (62%) of the Americans surveyed expressed that they would not feel comfortable seeing someone smoking marijuana in public. This shows how unequipped many citizens are to witness the act of someone smoking marijuana in public, and also shows how unprepared Americans are for the legalization of marijuana. If marijuana were to be legalized, society would not be ready to adapt to changing laws. The thought of marijuana being illegal would still linger in citizen’s minds showing how marijuana should not be legalized because of how countless people know it is a dangerous and illegal
As a nation we have come to point where we must take a unified stand on the issue of marijuana. Since 1937 the drug has been deemed illegal by the U.S. government but over the best decade, people have been pushing for the decriminalization of the cannabis plant. As a non drug user, i have researched the internet in search of unbiased information regarding the drugs health, economic, and crime influences on society. The fruits of my labor have brought me to the undisputable conclusion that our continued restriction on possession and use of the drug not only violates the liberties of U.S. citizens, but it also is costing Americans Billions of dollars, and something, our lives.
In the 1960’s marijuana use had no outstanding effects on the United States people but in today's society the use of marijuana had become a huge epidemic over the past years. Even though it has been scientifically proven that marijuana can help seizures, Crohn’s, and effects of cancer, yet many people in today's society still believe that it has no use. In the United States 45 percent of drug arrest in 2013 were due to marijuana, but at Woodstock in 1969 when there was a controversial “Drug War” no one was arrested for marijuana (Merino par. 3). The use of marijuana is more strict in the United States now then it was in
People believe that if marijuana is legalized users will get addicted. Marijuana use disorder become what is known as addiction when “the person cannot stop using the drug even though it interferes with many aspects of his or her life” (“Is Marijuana Addictive”). Although addiction is a problem, out of all the people who use marijuana, only 9% become dependent on it (“Is Marijuana Addictive”). Also, opioids and painkillers are very addictive as well, and they can lead to an overdose resulting in death. The second concern is abuse.
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-
Marijuana, or Cannabis, is a misconceived drug. Many people consider that the usage of marijuana is hazardous, but it can be the exact opposite. So why is the legalization of marijuana in the United States such an issue for some people today? Considered to be a gateway drug and the reason for the collapse of our youth nowadays, cannabis has realized as the vile way. Lester Grinspoon, a professor at Harvard University, states, “Few drugs in the United States have produced as much affective heat as marijuana, particularly during the last decade.
The history of marijuana as well as the information and studies drawn and discussed in this essay show that marijuana legalization for medical and/or recreational purposes will not only positively impact society, but also change the society’s idea of marijuana use as a deviant act. Deviant behavior negatively impacts society, therefore the idea that marijuana use is a positive impact for society will, in turn, change the idea that marijuana use is an act/form of
Why Marijuana Should be Legal Marijuana is a very prominent issue in society today. Many false and slanderous things have been said about marijuana in recent times. But the truth about marijuana continues to reveal itself. Sadly these truths are being criticised because of the stereotypical view that many people call the typical “pot smoker”.
Marijuana, also known as Cannabis, is derived from the Cannabis plant and is used commonly for either recreational or medical purposes. Marijuana is composed of chemicals such as tetrahydrocannabinol (HTC, and over eighty cannabinoids. Marijuana is acknowledged for providing smokers with a “high” feeling. Since the twentieth century, this illicit drug has been banned across the world. However, over the past few years studies have been conducted on marijuana and the results show that it can actually be helpful in many different areas of society.
Harvard Senior Professor in Pharmacology, Dr. Oliver Jameson says, ”New studies have proven that no one has ever directly died from smoking marijuana” (Renee,5). In fact, marijuana has also proven to be the ‘non addictive drug’. In Washington, it has even been recorded that deaths caused by drugs have dropped by 14%, after legalizing canibal. Although it might be true that the increase of drug use with teenagers have increased by 1.3% over the last year, the Supreme Court in 2012, had broadened the authority of public schools to do ‘suspicionless testing’ on students; in other words random drug tests. Ever since states like Washington, Montana, and Florida have taken up on this act, the rates by decreased by 54% in those states.
According to the United States government, marijuana is an illicit drug that is illegal to use and punishments include fines, probation, and jail time. Marijuana is a leafy green substance that comes from the Cannabis sativa plant. It is a psychoactive drug that is also classified as a hallucinogen because of the effects of the drug. Common effects after consuming the drug include a relaxed state, decreased coordination, slower thinking, difficulty solving problems, the “munchies”, hallucinations, paranoia, altered perceptions and mood, difficulty learning, and memory loss (Danovitch). The chemical that creates the mind altering effects is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, otherwise known as THC.