Marijuana Legalization - Essay Example

The usage of marijuana has been in practice for centuries and it has been used in different forms and different proportions. No single society can be outlined which is free from marijuana, seeing the excessive usage of marijuana, the debate has been long contested about legalizing it, and giving it a certain place in a specific proportion regarding its usage. However this decision has to be taken in consideration of its implications on social front, ethical front, and legal front and moral considerations. Other considerations would include the factor of determining the proportion and amount that could be termed legal for usage and legal for possession. Over decades, attempts have been made to curb its usage, adults being taken into custody, the dealers being put behind the bars, organizers and suppliers being disbanded, yet its usage never seems to grow small, rather its creeping up in high proportions, for this purpose, the debate ignited over its usage and many states have taken measures in favor of it (Caulkins, Kleiman et.al). Marijuana usage finds its clients in millions from across the United States, and many of them being under age or under certain state of mind and situation where they are not supposed to use it. its usage to abusive extent results in turbulent social life, deviation from goals and objectives in life, deviances of social kind. Other positive usages include dealing with allergies relating to respiratory problems , digestive factors such as appetite, and most effectively it is used in sexual inhibition processes in certain individuals, mental state of an individual under certain depression and other stresses, In all these it has been tested to positive impact as a result it has been advocated for permitting its usage on legal grounds for medical purposes. Considering that, it has been sought that legalizing it may serve the purpose of controlling the monster which has otherwise been an uncontrollable monster despite intense efforts being made over period of time to curb its usage and dependency. The debate got more intense when it was found out that it can be used for medical purposes, and seeing its vast usage along with medical implications, number of states took steps towards legalizing and making it a open market item for the adults. Under the garb of federal law, marijuana is strictly prohibited and clearly defined rules exist in which any one found in its possession, or under its influence will be dealt with severely, the law also defines terms and penalties for its users and its possession holders and suppliers([Car082]). It is the individual and municipal laws of respective states, that have thought of entertaining the thoughts of legalizing it and making it part of their legal life. Over fifteen states are enrolled in debate and race for making marijuana legal for medical purposes. Comparisons are being drawn between the usage of alcohol and that of marijuana and advocates of it say that it has more soothing effect and less negative impact if it is used in a contained manner. As a matter of fact, and considering its usage, a study was conducted which revealed that marijuana is equally sought for as alcohol and also reach to it has become more easy in recent times since the demand behind it is massive as it finds its clients in almost all group members of adult age. States legislation: While legalizing it would need many technical modifications and must be ensured that it does not set precedence for legalizing anything that is of abusive nature or in lexical terms a drug which has more negative usage and connotation than positive impacts on individuals. The legalizing agencies, the think tanks, and the legislators must take into account number of factors. One is being clearly defining the lines of its usage. Its distribution, its purchase, its business which will come into open market must be checked and done so in a calculated manner. The best that can be done is to provide its distribution under a specific condition and under prescribed formula from the government and administrative authorities. No free hand can be given in this regard since it would promote its indiscriminate usage. Secondly the rules must be defined as to who exactly can use it and under what circumstances one may be allowed to use it. In recent times, Washington and Colorado have come up as front runners in race towards legalizing the usage of marijuana loosely coined for medical purposes. Arizona was one of the first to take steps in this regards and it passed a bill in late 20th century(Gottfried, 72) to legalize it and make amendments in the constitution. The opposition units are against it and even if they do permit its usage, they want strict conditions coined to it which would not encourage its usage to the under age or those who are fully clean of this. New Carolina is another state that has shown immense interest in its usage, its legalizing and making it part of the law. Under the constitution Article 64 has to be mended and tempered if marijuana is to become part of the book and stores in open markets. Since then states like New Jersey, Montana are few of them who have taken a step and given it a thought making it part of our legal life and legal activities . On legal front, while the law is still enrolled into punishing those who are in possession of this drug, reforms would be needed to make it part of the law and with consideration of certain individuals who may possess it must be made part of the law and legislation. Similarly licensing to certain specific members should be granted and business and commerce rules should be modified in this regard. In California, similar event was seen for the purpose of legalization of marijuana in 2010, after a lot of debate and advocacy, it was unrolled in to the corridors of decision making, yet certain impeding elements did not allow its legalization in full capacity. Just as alcohol is permitted in a contained manner, and with considerations of certain individuals who must abstain from them, marijuana usage can be molded in a similar manner by defining who may use it and who may be barred from its usage under certain specific circumstances such as driving, mentally being unstable, being more susceptible to addiction and over dosage. All these states that legalized or made a move for legalizing it, first amended the laws in terms of removing the sentences of its possession, its transport and supply and reducing or almost eliminating the factors in which it can be used prescribed or possessed. Movements have been initiated in past for purpose of curbing the usage of marijuana, however it has become part of almost every society, thereby need is to come flexible at it and handle it in a political manner by allowing its usage yet discouraging its excessive usage and with prime goal of slowly, in a phase wise manner make societies free of the menace of marijuana which may take some time, but legalizing would be a step in that direction. Another segment of its advocates believe that its legalizing would result in reduction of violence in difference proportions since local scenes are mostly flawed and exhibit the violent outlook based on the background of marijuana usage, abuse and lack of access as a result frustration and agony. The commercial market will find some base with its legalizing; however the constraints must be strictly defined as its un warranted usage can lead to crippling of entire market and its customers and suppliers. Legalization moved should be launched and put into practical phase with the aim of reducing its usage, along with reducing its negative impacts that have overshadowed the American local societies and other regions in international arena beyond borders. States have taken steps in the direction towards legalizing it and by the look of it , around 2014, to 2016, we may get to see number of states with local laws being reformed and marijuana and cannabis becoming part of the drug stores and other medical centers. Conclusion: Marijuana is not a completely destructive substance, rather depends on how it is used. If it is being abused, it will leave both the mind and body crippled, and if it is used in a controlled manner, it can serve better than many drugs that are available for cure and healing purposes of psycho problems. Excessive usage can lead to handicapping and addiction of extreme forms. Medical marijuana is being contested for in many segments of society and its positive impacts have been derived and deduced by the scientists and doctors as well terming it a vital medicine if it is used in a balanced manner. It is a tool and a weapon at the same time and depends on how it is being used. Its controlled usage can give one a new dimension in life and a hope for tomorrow. References: Carter, Gregory T. and Dale Gieringer. Marijuana Medical Handbook: Practical Guide to Therapeutic Uses of Marijuana. Quick American, 2008. Car082: , (Carter and Gieringer), Gottfried, Ted. Should Drugs Be Legalized? Twenty-First Century Books, 2000. Read More