The Marijuana Controversy - Essay Example

The Marijuana Controversy Legalization of marijuana is a major controversy in the US. According to the California Proposition 19, which is also known as the Regulate, Control & Tax Cannabis Act, marijuana activities must be legalized and local governments must be empowered to regulate activities pertaining to marijuana (Rawson, n.p). The act also proposes to allow local governments to collect taxes and fees related to marijuana and also other penalties related to the criminal and civil aspects of marijuana.

This proposition however, was defeated and did not make it to law. Those against marijuana, mainly the right wing republican Americans, argue that since marijuana is associated with several health risks like memory deficits, lung disease, throat cancer and heart disease, it should not be legalized. Another influencing factor in this regard is increased risk of accidents and criminal activity associated with marijuana. The proponents of legalization of marijuana, mainly the left wing activists and the Libertarians argue that the war pertaining to the drug is a failing one because; those imprisoned in regard to the drug are not cured of their addiction despite being in jail.

Hence it would be more appropriate to legalize marijuana and control its transactions pertaining to purity, taxing and trafficking, like alcohol and tobacco. Legalization allows more control of the drug trafficking and safer and also more responsible use of the substance. The advocates of legalization also opined that crimes associated with marijuana would decrease in case it was legalized (Rawson, n.p). In about 14 states, mainly in the West, marijuana is allowed for medical purposes and several thousands of patients are seeking relief from many ailments through marijuana (Edmund, 5).

Thus, the issue before the Congress is whether to continue with the current federal laws for prosecution of medical marijuana patients and their propagators federally as per the guidelines of Controlled Substances Act, or to relax the laws and permit medicinal use of cannabis parts. The 111th Congress introduced 2 bills, the Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act in which medical use of marijuana is allowed in the recommendation of doctors and the Truth in Trials Act, which allows defendants to reveal about the medical purpose of use of marijuana (Mark, 3).

In 2009, the Truth in Trials Act ordered to stop raids by the Drug Enforce Administration with regard to medical dispensing of marijuana. The ironic aspect of this controversy is that the arguments on both the sides are same, i.e., alleviation of marijuana problem, but through different means. The anti-marijuana sides believes in punishment. However, the loop hole in the arguments of this side is that in many case, individuals who are subjected to legal action are actually innocent or have committed petty crimes.

These individuals are likely to resort to more dangerous abuse of marijuana after coming out from jail. Those arguing for marijuana legalization suggest tht since marijuana is a part of the US culture, it must be accepted and regulated. However, this is likely to increase abuse of the substance and there is no evidence to support the fact that legalization of marijuana is more safe and useful. Works Cited Brown, Edmund. "Guidelines for the security and non-diversion of marijuana grown for medical use." 2008. Department of justice.

1st July, 2011 Web. Eddy, Mark. "Medical Marijuana: Review and Analysis of Federal and State Policies." Congressional Research Service. 2010. 1st July, 2011 Web. Rawson, Stephen. "What's the problem?" n.d., 1st July, 2011 Web.