Legalizing Marijuana in the Society Based on the Theory of Utilitarianism - Research Paper Example

? Legalizing Marijuana in the Society Based on the Theory of Utilitarianism and Perspective of Relativism and Ethical Egoism Abstract Legalizing of marijuana is an ethical issue which is much debated today. Some argue in favor of legalizing marijuana and consider it not as harmful as other dangerous drugs. Others argue against any kind of legalization of marijuana as they consider it as promoting drug use in the society. Both parties do have their own views with regards to the issue. In this paper, this particular ethical issue has been discussed in detail through some studies and reports conducted before. It has been compiled to support a specific stand and to justify the right actions toward the problem which is the legalization of marijuana. The paper also discussed how utilitarianism would resolve the problem based on its own definition. The issue of legalizing marijuana has been discussed also using the definition of relativism, emotivism or ethical egoism. At the end, personal opinion about the issue of legalizing marijuana has been discussed. Legalizing Marijuana in the Society Based on the Theory of Utilitarianism and Perspective of Relativism and Ethical Egoism Introduction Legalizing of marijuana is an ethical issue which is much debated. Some argue in favor of legalizing marijuana and consider it not as harmful as other dangerous drugs. Others argue against any kind of legalization of marijuana as they consider it as promoting drug use in the society. In this paper, this particular ethical issue will be discussed in detail. The paper will also discuss how utilitarianism would resolve the problem. The issue of legalizing marijuana will also be discussed using relativism, emotivism or ethical egoism. In the end personal opinion about the issue of legalizing marijuana will also be included. Legalizing Marijuana Marijuana is from the genus Cannabis which comprises to C. sativa and is a crude drug plant that has leaves and flowers. Just like other plants, marijuana is one of the factors that balance the environment as part of the producers. Also, marijuana plant has the ability to alter the minds which means it has the ability to change the work of the brain. It has THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) which serves as its main chemical component and also contains more than 400 other chemicals (Marijuana: Facts for teens, 2004). There are many debates regarding the legalization of the marijuana use. It has been said that marijuana should be legalized for it can give more tax to the government which would eventually increase the economic status of the country. It can also add to the sales and the number of new employments as it increases the production needs of the company. The legalizing of the marijuana will allow the government to regulate the trade of marijuana and in turn earn tax revenue. This money can then be spent on educating people about the dangers of drugs. Addition to the reason why the use of marijuana should be legalized is that, it has medical benefits such as a relieve on nausea suffered by cancer patients who are undergoing powerful chemotherapy, people who suffers with multiple sclerosis and AIDS and treatment of glaucoma as its use lowers pressure on the eye (Legalizing Marijuana, n.d). Contrary to those reasons mentioned above, there are also people who do not want to legalize the use of the marijuana. People who oppose legalization of marijuana argue that it is a dangerous drug and legalizing it will increase its consumption which will not be good for the society (Martinez, 2012). Marijuana is still a drug and has harmful side effects and so, legalizing the drug will allow people to view the use of drug in good light and such an action might also promote the use of other kinds of drug. Some may misinterpret the main purpose, if ever it would be passed as legal one, why it would be legalized. This is why legalizing marijuana is considered an ethical issue because of the harmful side effects it has on the society. It is not good to guarantee small economic up rise and small medication improvement if its opposite result will just delay the current problems the country are facing with. Utilitarianism and Legalization of Marijuana Utilitarianism, as one of those classical theories, can resolve the problem of legalization of the marijuana. According to Oxford dictionary (2012), “Utilitarianism is the doctrine that actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of a majority.” Also, it calls for evaluating an action based on its consequences on the larger portion of the society. The maximum benefit of the maximum number of people in the society should be preserved at all times, according to utilitarianism. This particular ethical theory solves the problem of legalizing marijuana because studies have proven that prevention and education is the most cost effective way of dealing with marijuana. A simple cost and benefit analysis would tell that legalizing marijuana will increase the overall benefit of everyone and therefore marijuana should be legalized (Johnson, 2012). The major reason why utilitarianism would allow legalization of marijuana is that its harmful effects on the society are far from the good it would give or offer to the society. As how utilitarianism has been defined, it longs for the benefits that will satisfy the majority and not just oneself. Though legalizing marijuana production has some harmful effects for most individual, it could also help the country through economics and medications. To further explain the situation, alcohol, as an example, is legal even after its harmful effects on individuals for it also adds to the economic growth of the country through those taxes it gives and the manufacturer’s employees. Therefore, just like the legalizing of the alcohol use, legalizing marijuana will not lead to any major problems. In fact, legalization of the drug will allow the government to earn revenue, for it could offer more employment as part of its production, and regulate the sale of marijuana which will benefit the society (majority). That is why, according to utilitarianism, marijuana should be legalized. Relativism, Ethical Egoism, and Legalizing Marijuana Relativism is the idea that none is actually right or wrong for the meaning of every idea depends on how someone thinks or classifies the individual’s own perspective (ethical relativism, n.d). This is the reason why marijuana should be legalized according to relativism. It is not wrong to make it legal and yet, not even right for it depends on someone on how he will view the situation. Ethical egoism calls for preservation of self interests. Ethical egoism will also justify legalization of marijuana because it is in the self interests of everyone in the society. The drug is available in the market and therefore making it legal will not necessarily increase the use of drugs. The production would depend on one’s selfish interest on how he will indulge and consume marijuana. The government will also earn revenue through legalizing marijuana which will enhance its self interests such as the increase of self esteem of the government leaders and satisfaction of those individual who are addicted on it. Because of these possible selfish actions of the individuals, therefore ethical egoism justifies legalization of marijuana. The issue is contrary on the classical theory of utilitarianism. Utilitarianism calls for majority as it depends if the society would agree if the idea is right. It means that the decision will be acknowledged if the majority says so. On the other hand, the two perspectives (relativism and ethical egoism) are different. Individuality is the main agenda of the second point. As being defined above, relativism is the idea that none is actually right or wrong for the ideas of each man differs from others and ethical egoism deals with the concept of “selfishness” or how would the individual embrace the idea that will satisfy his needs or wants. Both circle the idea of “individuality”. The two perspectives answer the call that legalizing marijuana will satisfy the needs or wants of the individual as how he will interpret or view the point. Determining if the view is right or wrong differs on each point as utilitarianism sees it as how the majority views it and relativism and ethical egoism on individual’s perspective. It is clearly seen how the three approaches differs with each other. The decision if the marijuana would be legalized has been caused of too much debate as the three approaches differ with each other’s perspective. The contraction of each viewpoint will just cause debate for both parties because of their own thinking of what is right and wrong. The choice is upon the decision of the society of which among the perspectives should be considered. Personal view It is hard to decide which among the perspectives (utilitarianism, relativism and ethical egoism) is correct and should be chose considering both has their own good point of views which can serve as a powerful weapon during debates. Both have their own good goals. However, the difference between them is that, one considers the individual’s view and the other towards the majority. So what would be the best support upon pursuing the legalization of marijuana? What should the government prioritize, the fruit that will only satisfy the hunger of an individual or the majority? To choose between what is right and wrong from the view of oneself and the majority’s benefits is a hard task to do for every decision made gives various consequences within the situation. If someone believes that right and wrong can be classified based on what an individual thinks, then it shows how relativism and ethical egoism work. Unlike the two, if someone believes that right and wrong can be known through what will satisfy the majority, it is considered that they believe to the theory of utilitarianism. Legalizing marijuana has become one of the big issues in different nations for the theories mentioned above contradict one another. There were several debates happened before that says it should be and not be legalized because of the effects it acquires. As a personal view, utilitarianism is somehow closer than relativism and ethical egoism. The government should consider the views of their people (majority) of what is right and wrong before doing any decision or passing their laws. Then what are the reasons why utilitarianism theory is better to support the legalization of marijuana? Legalizing marijuana has several benefits towards the majority. The majority (society) will benefit more upon pursuing its legalization. Also, if the government would consider what is right and wrong upon pursuing it through the reactions and commentaries of the society, there would be small probability of conducting debates and rallies. This is because the government only followed what the society dictates. Here are thoughts of the majority of what is right and wrong and its benefits upon legalizing marijuana that would satisfy the needs of all: Legalizing the drug will have much positive effect on the overall economy as it will produce jobs for the unemployed and will also help the government in raising funds, which can then be spend on public projects and programs. Government should regulate the sale of marijuana and should educate people with regards to the harmful uses of drug use. If money would be part of the problem upon having the legalization, well it is not. Through the funds the government will get from the production of marijuana, they will have budget that will help them support those programs and projects. Another point to consider upon legalizing marijuana is that, the understanding of the illegal sale of marijuana will strengthen criminal elements in the society. However, making it legal will lessen the number of crimes attributed to the use of marijuana and even those illegal transactions it has. Money from illegal drug trade will give rise to criminals in the society. Crime mafias are strengthened by the trade of marijuana. All this have extremely bad impact in the society. This is why legalizing marijuana will benefit the society as it legalizes every transaction and the so-called crimes related to it. The society, which talks about the society, will be far from crimes related to marijuana. Legalizing marijuana will provide additional medication in the society. As what was mentioned above, it can cure some illness such as relieve on nausea suffered by cancer patients who are undergoing powerful chemotherapy, people who suffers with multiple sclerosis and AIDS and treatment of glaucoma as its use lowers pressure on the eye (Legalizing Marijuana, n.d). Utilitarianism is a good theory that somehow, would resolve the problem of legalizing marijuana. This ethical philosophy that states that what makes the society is the one that should be considered and prioritized. It is the government’s responsibility to choose and prioritize what will make the society happy. Its choice should always be in line with the needs of the “majority” and not the “individual” alone. The government should consider the needs and views of the country they are handling to avoid opposition against them and rejection of laws. After all, every law that the government would pass will always depends on what the majority needs. With this righteous action, there will be lesser number of opposition from some individuals. Conclusion Legalizing of marijuana is an ethical issue which is much debated today. Some argue in favor of legalizing marijuana and consider it not as harmful as other dangerous drugs. Others argue against any kind of legalization of marijuana as they consider it as promoting drug use in the society. These two points have been discussed in this paper. Both have their own thinking of what is right and wrong depending to whom it will satisfy (individual or majority). Utilitarianism theory states that actions are right if they are useful or for the benefits of the majority. It has been discussed all throughout on how utilitarianism would resolve the problem. Knowing what the theory is all about, the government should consider those “useful” things that the society will achieve upon pursuing something (e.g. legalization of marijuana). If the government is about to do that, there will be less number of people who will oppose them knowing that they are supporting the “majority” and not just the individual. The issue of legalizing marijuana has been also discussed using relativism and emotivism or ethical egoism. Relativism has been defined as the idea that none is actually right or wrong for the meaning of every idea depends on how someone thinks or classifies the individual’s own perspective (ethical relativism, n.d). On the other hand, ethical egoism calls for preservation of self interests. Thus, both justify legalization of marijuana depending on how it will affect an individual and not the majority at all. Personal view has been also included. It was then stated that it is good if the government will consider what the majority thinks about the issue. If the majority calls for legalizing it, then the government should first study their points, ask for some experts and then do the action. The government officials should always consider the needs of the “majority” and not just an individual who might think selfishly. This attitude is acquiring the theory of utilitarianism that has been defined several times. References Ethical relativism. (n.d.). The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Retrieved October 23, 2012, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ethical relativism Johnson, K. (2012). Marijuana Push in Colorado Likens It to Alcohol. New York Times. Web. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/27/us/a-ballot-push-to-legalize-marijuana-with-alcohol-as-the-role-model.html?_r=2&ref=us& Legalizing Marijuana. (n.d) Retrieved from http://www.uri.edu/personal/atro6990/ Marijuana. (2012). In Encyclop?dia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/365182/marijuana Marijuana: Facts for teens. (2004). retrieved from http://books.google.com.ph Martinez, R. (2012). Legalizing marijuana is not good for us. Coloradoan. Web. http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20121008/OPINION04/310090007/Legalizing-marijuana-not-good-us?nclick_check=1 Utilitarianism. (2012) Oxford Dictionary. Retrieved from http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/utilitarianism Read More