Marijuana Should Be Legalized - Essay Example

Marijuana Should Be Legalized Marijuana is a substance that has given way to much controversy in the United States of America. There are people who believe that it is alright to use marijuana. They hold that marijuana should be legalized. This will allow the citizens to use marijuana without being bothered by the law. On the other side there are people who think that marijuana is a harmful substance. It is something that is not good for both the users and the society. As per such people, marijuana should never be legalized. They fear that legalizing marijuana will lead to many bad things. However, in a practical sense, marijuana should be legalized in the nation because citizens have the right to use marijuana for fun and medicinal purposes, without being bothered by legal hassles and wrong views about marijuana. As per the American Constitution, every citizen has the right to pursue happiness (Gerber 126). The Constitution of America allows the citizens to do things that add to their happiness (Gerber 126). It is a fact that there are many people who believe that using marijuana no way adds to human happiness. Such people consider marijuana to be an addictive substance that may make people sick and turn them into addicts. However, there are also many people who believe that using marijuana will make them happy. They think that the freedom to use marijuana will really add to their sense of happiness and well being. Many people may not agree with such views. Still, people who want to use marijuana do have the right to do so. Eventually, it is for the people to decide as to what they want to put in their bodies. Denying them the right to use marijuana by making marijuana illegal will certainly deprive them of their happiness. Besides, this is also against the spirit of the American Constitution. If people can be given the right to use alcohol or tobacco, there is no reason why they cannot be given the right to use marijuana. Hence, marijuana should be legalized so that the people who want to use marijuana may do so with ease. This will add to their pursuit of happiness and will respect their basic rights. This will allow people to use marijuana without being harassed or bothered by the police. The other thing is that the illegal status of marijuana is based on a number of lies and disinformation. Such incorrect information makes people have wrong views about marijuana. Hence, they support a ban or prohibition on marijuana. People need to get the right and truthful facts regarding marijuana. The fact is that marijuana is not at all toxic to humans (Gerber 41). People can safely using marijuana without being afraid of getting sick or ill. Besides, marijuana is not as addictive as it is usually considered to be (Gerber 122). In fact, marijuana is far less addictive as compared to many other substances such as tobacco and alcohol (Gerber 122). Also, practically speaking, marijuana is not at all a dangerous substance, as it is usually considered by many people. Therefore, if it is legal to consume alcohol or tobacco, the use of marijuana should also be legalized. It is really unjust to make tough laws for the marijuana users, while allowing the alcohol or tobacco users to do whatever they like to do. This is more relevant considering the fact that marijuana is not more harmful as compared to many other legal substances like alcohol and tobacco. Hence, like these substances, marijuana should be legalized at the earliest. One big reason that justifies the legalization of marijuana is the medicinal properties that marijuana happens to have. Since ages, many cultures have been known to use marijuana for its pain relief and medicinal properties (Earleywine 15). Many people use marijuana because they believe that it is good for them. People suffering from a variety of diseases prefer to use marijuana to control their pain and suffering (Earleywine 174). Marijuana is known to act as a cure for many medical problems like acute pain, digestive problems and issues, nausea, etc (Earleywine 9). Many people, who failed to find a cure through the traditional medicine, turned to marijuana for relief. The other thing is that marijuana is also used by many people to ease and relax their mind (Earleywine 27). Many people have experienced that marijuana relives them of their stress and tension in a much better way as compared to alcohol. Marijuana has minimal side effects as compared to many traditional medicines. Marijuana is used by such people suffering from various illnesses, who believe that the benefits they get from marijuana far exceed the harm or risk involved in the usage of marijuana. Hence, marijuana should be legalized because it is used by many people as a medicine. The legalization of marijuana will allow the people to use marijuana as a cure, without being worried about getting on the wrong side of the law. It is unfair to ban a substance that is used as a medicine by many people. In fact it is cruel and harsh to do such a thing. Moreover, it is right and practical to legalize marijuana because prohibition on marijuana has failed to stop people from using marijuana (Stossel 37). Since decades the government has been trying hard to stop people from using marijuana by making tough laws and illegalizing marijuana. The state has put in place legal penalties to prevent people from using marijuana. Still, the number of people using marijuana in America has been steadily increasing. Tough laws and penalties have failed to prevent people from using marijuana. The very belief that marijuana will ever be totally removed from the American soil is impractical and silly. Laws against marijuana have no way succeeded in preventing people from using marijuana. What they have done is that this has given way to an illegal market for marijuana (Stossel 38). Just because people cannot buy and use marijuana in a legal way, they turn towards criminal gangs that sell marijuana in the illegal market. On the one side the prohibition on marijuana has failed to stop people from using marijuana. On the other side it has created an underground market for marijuana dominated by criminals and mafia. Also, buying marijuana in an illegal way places marijuana users in many risky situations. The foreign mafias cultivate and smuggle marijuana into the United States to make money (Stossel 38). Hence, the best way to end this black marketing of marijuana is to legalize marijuana. Marijuana also needs to be legalized because many American citizens and groups have been trying hard to get marijuana legalized. A significant section of the American people has been campaigning for the legalization of marijuana since decades. The supporters of marijuana do believe that the legalization of marijuana is no way against the American values and laws. It is time that the state should respect the sentiments of such citizens by legalizing marijuana. It’s been a long time since the issue of marijuana has remained unsettled in the country. Marijuana needs to be legalized because people have the right to use it. Besides, marijuana is no way more harmful as compared to many other legal substances like alcohol and tobacco. Actually marijuana is a substance that is used as a medicine by many people. Strict laws against marijuana have totally failed to stop people from using marijuana. They have only given way to an illegal selling and buying of marijuana. Thereby, the state must respect the rights of thousands of marijuana users by legalizing marijuana. Works Cited Earleywine, Mitch. Understanding Marijuana. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002. Print. Gerber, Rudolph J. Legalizing Marijuana. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2004. Print. Stossel, John. “Legalize All Drugs”. Freeman October 2008: 37. Print. Read More