The Recent Legalization Issue Regarding Marijuana in America - Essay Example

Marijuana Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Thesis ment 3 Discussion 4 The Argument 6 Justification 7 Conclusion 8 Works Cited 10 Introduction Marijuana has its history in the roots of Asia’s central and southern parts. The name ‘marijuana’ has its origin in Mexico. It has been evident in the Chinese manuscripts and Indian scriptures that the medicinal properties of marijuana had its own charm among these populations. Marijuana is said to have entered American market through the hands of Christopher Columbus in the year 1492 A.D. It was first from North America that Cannabis was brought to use for the purpose of industrial goods. Till early part of 20th century, the recreational use of Cannabis was not in trend. Though the harmful effects of marijuana soon popped out but there has not been any reported case of casualty in the history so far. Hemp and Cannabis have always been a point of confusion. Ten to twenty percent contents of Psychoactive Cannabinoids (THC) distinguish Cannabis from Hemp (Cannabis Now Magazine, “History of Marijuana in America: The Early Years”). . Thesis Statement The discussion intends to make an argumentative essay about the recent legalization issue regarding Marijuana in America taking into account its age old stand in the whole of the continent. Discussion 17th century onwards the production of marijuana was promoted in many parts of America. The Cannabis Sativa Plant whose long fibers were in considerable demand as it could be used for producing products such as cloths, sails and ropes among others. As a matter of fact, the production and use of marijuana was seen to be legal and compulsory as per the first American Marijuana Law passed in Virginia by the Assembly of Jamestown Colony. According to this law, it was made compulsory for the farmers to grow marijuana or the Indian hempseed as it was called and Pennsylvania laid down exchange of hemp to be a matter of legal tender levying tax on it. Men holding great reverence in America such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson also contributed towards encouraging the spread of marijuana among the commoners by cultivating it (Cannabis Now Magazine, “History of Marijuana in America: The Early Years”). Positive Sides of Marijuana At a certain point of time, the cultivation of Cannabis reached to heights as good as 40,000 tons thus making it America’s third largest crop by the year 1850. To add to the increasing popularity of Marijuana, North America in no time recognized the medicinal value of the herb and thus its use as an essential ingredient in the medicinal products was put to practice. Marijuana was said to be useful for relieving Migraines, it also played a pivotal role in mood–alteration situations like labor pain, nausea and rheumatism among others (Cannabis Now Magazine, “History of Marijuana in America: The Early Years”). 19th century onwards, the recreational use of marijuana was brought to practice though in small scale but was the stepping stone to turn situation adverse (Cannabis Now Magazine, “History of Marijuana in America: The Early Years”). Downfall of Marijuana The famous Spanish–American war is seen to be the turning point and most importantly the reason behind the ban that is seen on marijuana today. The great influx of the Mexicans in the states of America was in the post revolutionary era. These Mexicans cultivated marijuana in humongous quantities and used it for recreational purpose. There arouse a strong prejudice against the Mexican immigrants leading to formation of a notion that marijuana smoking would bring delinquency and create criminal minds. It was late in 1930s when Federal Bureau of Narcotics started drafting a bill in order to make marijuana taxable and hence began a campaign leading to the said national ban (Cannabis Now Magazine, “History of Marijuana in America: The Early Years”). Gradually, the ban was brought to practice by 29 such American states who were suffering poor socio–economic situations during The Great Depression. At that point of time, the unemployment had reached its peak and the Americans were finding it difficult to compete with the Mexican immigrants in the field of jobs. Thus, ailing to such conditions, marijuana was affected on the harder side and thus was brought to complete ban. As a result, the healthy medicinal history and vivid industrial application was camouflaged leading to the downfall of the herb (Cannabis Now Magazine, “History of Marijuana in America: The Early Years”). In recent times, there have been considerable arguments made by a number of campaigners in the US pointing out their reasons behind upholding the existing ban on marijuana. They have argued that around 850,000 arrests are made each year due to marijuana offences which enforce a needless burden on the police. It also affects the lives of the commoners especially the law-abiding citizens of the nation (Foster, “Obama Lets the States Decide on Marijuana”). According to the point of debate here it can be said that American government must consider the upsides of lifting the ban over marijuana production (Cerdá, Wall, Keyes, Galea and Hasin, “Medical Marijuana Laws In 50 States: Investigating The Relationship Between State Legalization Of Medical Marijuana And Marijuana Use, Abuse And Dependence”). The Argument The legalized use of marijuana must be supported by all and sundry considering its contribution in various major medical fields. For example, chemotherapy or the radiation therapy used for the cancer patients has proven marijuana to be safe. The ancient industrial uses of the herbs such as production of clothing, ropes and many other useful end products must not be overlooked in terms of the beneficial use of marijuana. Moreover, except treating the cancer patients, marijuana is found to be effective and most prescribed for combating nausea thus stimulating appetite. Other than these, marijuana finds its importance as a valued element used for alleviating pains. From the past history, it can be learnt that marijuana has been a mood–altering agent and was used in case of labor pains. The immune–modulatory and the anti–inflammatory properties of marijuana, portrays the herb of low–risk to the diabetics (Cerdá, Wall, Keyes, Galea and Hasin, “Medical Marijuana Laws in 50 States: Investigating the Relationship between State Legalization of Medical Marijuana and Marijuana Use, Abuse and Dependence”). The Economic Advantage The above explanations shed light on the various medicinal advantages that marijuana may cater in case the US federal government decides to lift the ban and make the use of marijuana legalized with proper regulation. There are certain economic reasons that might stand advantageous as well. The legalized use of marijuana shall contribute to the various industries namely the medical industry, the paper industry and the cloth industry. The tax that shall be collected from the legalization of marijuana shall add positively to the economy of America (Balanced Politics, “Should Marijuana be Legalized under any Circumstances?”) Justification There are other drugs in use such as tobacco or alcohol and marijuana does not stand more detrimental than these. Marijuana’s use for personal or recreational purpose may be checked by levying heavy tax and controlling its circulation among the commoners. Steps must be adopted in order to make marijuana available to specific hands that would use the herb for purposes inducing positive change in the society (Wilson, “Highs and Lows of Using Marijuana”) The use of marijuana for recreational purpose proves advantageous in reducing stress and enhancing creativity among its users. However, tracing back to the history of marijuana with America it can be said that it was mostly due to prejudice and other various reasons that do not connect to the properties of the herb due to which it was put into ban. It was a result of the war between Spain and America that changed the scene in the country and the regulations imposed on the use of marijuana proved to be strong tool against the then Mexican immigrants in America. The advantages of marijuana were recognized ages ago and it still remains profitable in every aspect for America, be it economy, health or other such areas. Conclusion There might be a strong disagreement against the legalization of marijuana from companies such as DuPont and other paper producers, but that should not affect the process at any cost as this step today shall definitely prove to be positive for the society in the coming years of existence (Scribd, “Cannabis Abuse - Research Study”). Legalization of marijuana shall contribute to increase employment opportunities for the economy thus helping in bringing about better stability. From the environmental point of view the rain forests of South America which are already on way of extinction shall find hopes of being saved. Marijuana usage has no reported track record of causing death thus it may be concluded that its addiction is only mental and not physical, catering to which a vehement addict of herb can be helped to revert back to the main stream of life after a prolonged period. By taking into concern about mental addiction, there are a lot of consumables that mankind is mentally addicted to such as tea and coffee which also contain drug in certain quantities. If they are not subject to prohibition then the use of marijuana should also not be prohibited. Works Cited Balanced Politics. Should Marijuana be Legalized under any Circumstances?, 2011. Web. 14 Dec. 2012. Cannabis Now Magazine. History of Marijuana in America: The Early Years, 2011. Web. 14 Dec. 2012. Cerdá, Magdalena, Melanie Wall, Katherine M Keyes, Sandro Galea and Deborah Hasin. Medical marijuana laws in 50 states: investigating the relationship between state legalization of medical marijuana and marijuana use, abuse and dependence. Introduction, n.d. Web. 14 Dec. 2012. Foster, Peter. Obama Lets the States Decide on Marijuana. Telegraph Media Group Limited, 2012. Web. 14 Dec. 2012. Scribd. Cannabis Abuse - Research Study, 2012. Web. 14 Dec. 2012. Wilson, Jacque. Highs and lows of using marijuana. CNN 12 Nov. 2012. Web. 14 Dec. 2012. Read More