Legalizing Marijuana - Research Paper Example

Legalizing Marijuana Introduction Marijuana is popularly know to be the most harsh and heavyweight drug in the whole world. Marijuana is not only considered to be the most damaging weed, but also the most illegal drug in most countries in the world. Punishment of having marijuana in some countries is related to capital punishment of murder. That is how this weed is unwanted by many communities in the world. Contrary to this there are countries where marijuana is known to be a basic need. Jamaica is one of the countries. There are varieties of marijuana incorporated even in food, for example marijuana cake. This paper will explore the main proposal of legalizing marijuana in United States. This is not an easy proposal since based on social ethics and religious belief, it is considered by many as unsocial act. The broad discussion revolves around the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana in United States. Discussion Legalizing Marijuana is a controversial issue that has drawn mixed reactions in our society today. Although there are many slanderous claims that have been made about marijuana, the truth are currently surfacing slowly (Caulkins, Hawken, Kilmer and Kleiman 30). However, even though the truth is surfacing now, it is unfortunate that there is hot criticism due to the stereotypical perception of marijuana consumption (Caulkins et al 30). The debate has been intensified on this topic and most critics have bitterly provoked the proposal citing the side effects marijuana poses on users. Facts still remain despite many traditional hypotheses on medicinal property of marijuana; the herb is still regarded to be a dangerous drug unfit for the society consumption due to abuse (Caulkins et al 30). Marijuana has been painted negatively by the fact it is perceived to impact laziness and unmotivated character among consumers. In fact the federal government of the United States treats marijuana as an illegal, addictive drug, and its consumption in the United States is prohibited and punishable by federal law (Caulkins et al 30). It is also argued that when marijuana is compared to other commonly used drugs like alcohol and tobacco, marijuana is least harmful in these drugs categories. This means that legality of marijuana should be prioritized as compared to the other drugs. To this extent, several states, including Nevada, Colorado and California have already legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes (Caulkins et al 30). A few states have also legalized recreational marijuana. What do you think? Should marijuana (medical and/or recreational) be legal in the United States? This paper will explore the pros and cons involved in legalizing marijuana in United States. The most appealing reason for opposition of marijuana being legal in because many people know it based on its negative effects to the users. Furthermore, because of this belief, marijuana was among the drugs included in the national fight against drug abuse (Gerdes 6). This is so despite research shedding light that the economic benefits of marijuana is by far outweighing its harmful effect and that should call for its legalization (Gerdes 6). Marijuana which is also referred to as Cannabis sativas in Latin, was first recorded to be useful in 7000 B.C. the Chinese, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans are all on books for using this herb for medicinal purposes (Gerdes 6). This cannabis has been linked with the potential of healing stomach ailment, cramps and ulcers (Gerdes 6). The herb penetrated its way to Europe through Napoleon’s troops after realizing that it offered more than just drug value (Gerdes 6). In America, the drug found its way into the markets with help of Mexican immigrants. The reason why Mexican drug cartels pushed his drug into US was because of huge profits attached (Gerdes 6). When alcohol was banned and prohibited by the federal government, everybody turned to marijuana as an alternative and this is what accelerated its consumption. According to Miron, marijuana prohibition demands a large budget allocation for law enforcement and denies the government of tax revenue from marijuana production and sales (15). Legalizing marijuana would save the US government $7.7billion annually (Miron 15). From this amounts $5.3billion will be added to local government’s annual budgets and the remaining $2.4 billion will be added to the federal government (Miron 15). Aside from these savings, legalizing marijuana could even generate much needed annual tax revenues (Miron 15). Furthermore, many people use marijuana, or some of its components in treating a number of medical conditions and advocate for the legalization of medical marijuana in the United States (Miron 15). This is a large amount of money will help the government in providing better social services to the American public, for example improvement of rehabilitation facilities, low-cost housing for marginalized immigrants, health (Miron 15). Notable to mention is that, the legalization of Marijuana is also being backed up by the fact that it would reduce most of illegal trade and associated crime (Iversen 2). Back in the year 1969, the United State for the first time recorded the higher number of 16% Americans supporting the proposal to legalize Marijuana. According to the same poll man called Gallup, these numbers have continued shooting up gradually to 36% and 56% in the year 2005 and 2009 respectively(Iversen 2). This shows clearly that the negative attitude and perception people had against marijuana is gradually diminishing. Huge revenue collection is the core reason as to why people are gradually changing their negative attitude towards marijuana. In the state of California, it has been estimated that $15billion worth marijuana is sold on annual basis (Iversen 2). This would literary translate to more than $1.3 billion bagged on tax collection only of retail sales of marijuana in one state only (Iversen 2). With this kind of figures ready on the state and the federal government fingertips, who will oppose legalization of marijuana? Moreover, California is one of the states that legalized marijuana consumption for recreation (Iversen 2). As a little kid, most people were cautioned by their parents on the dangers of drugs including marijuana. This is the attitude that has been prevailing among many people globally. This attitude germinated back in 1930. This negative propaganda was formulated with an aim of appeasing private interests and reinforce racial stereotype (Marijuana Legalization: A Bad Idea 10). In this case, Dr. Robert Hearth of Tulane University conducted an investigation in the year 1974 concerning the effects of marijuana (Marijuana Legalization: A Bad Idea 10). The doctor used monkeys as his test subjects. The monkeys were each given 30 joints of marijuana as a measure of testing negative side effect the drug has on the body. After 90 days, most of the monkeys started to die and that is when the propaganda declared by the doctor that marijuana kills brain cells begun (Marijuana Legalization: A Bad Idea 10). For six years, the doctor never shared the report of the study until 1980; when it was revealed that the monkeys were suffocated to death and they did not die due to marijuana (Kilmer 7). According to Kilmer, the truth of the matter is that no one has ever been recorded to have died from consuming marijuana (7). The medical implication marijuana has on human body is linked to short term memory damage and slight reduced lungs capacity (Kilmer 7). These side effects cannot even be close to what alcohol and nicotine from tobacco negatively affect the human body. But it is very unfortunate that the least harmful drug is illegal while the most dangerous drugs are legal (Kilmer 7). Furthermore, the addictive capability of marijuana cannot be compared to the other drugs like nicotine, alcohol, heroin and cocaine (Kilmer 7). Conclusion In summary, it should be noted that despite many people have negative perception toward marijuana, there are benefits that are attached to its legalization. By the fact that scientific evidence has linked marijuana to minor side effects on the consuming human body, then it should be given a chance like other drugs. The federal government has the mandate of regulation drugs consumption and marijuana is not an exception. Alcohol is legal but its consumption regulated. The same can be applicable to marijuana. There should also be the policy governing the age limit of the consumers of marijuana. This will grant equal right to the consumers as much as human health is protected. Works Cited Caulkins, Jonathan P, Angela Hawken, Beau Kilmer, and Mark Kleiman. Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know. 2012. Print. Gerdes, Louise I. Marijuana. San Diego, CA: Green haven Press, 2002. Print. Iversen, Leslie L. “The Science of Marijuana.” 2nd ed. Oxford, NY: Oxford University Press, 2008. Web. 15 March, 2014. Kilmer, Beau. Altered State?: Assessing How Marijuana Legalization in California Could Influence Marijuana Consumption and Public Budgets. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Drug Policy Research Center, 2010. Print. Marijuana Legalization: A Bad Idea. Washington, D.C.: Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive Office of the President, 2010. Web. 15 March, 2014. Miron, Jeffrey A. “The Budgetary Implication of Marijuana Prohibition.” June 2005. 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