A case for Legalizing Marijuana - Essay Example

A case for Legalizing Marijuana Introduction In this paper, I have chosen the case for legalizing marijuana. This topic is of interest to me, as bringing out facts regarding marijuana would satisfy my enthusiasm to oppose the misconceptions that many have had regarding the drug. To boost my skills and knowledge regarding marijuana, I will attend various informative meetings on drug abuse, specifically on marijuana use and its effects on the human body. Brief History of Marijuana Ban According to the US Weapon, the drug was termed illegal from the early 1990s, but after the adoption of the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, being in possession of marijuana was termed as a crime (1). The American Medical Association (AMA) came out clear to resolve the misunderstanding on marijuana – on the drug not being of the same level as opium and cocaine (US Weapon 1). US Weapon continues to argue that by 1969, the Marijuana Tax Act had been declared unconstitutional and the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 had been passed (1). At the time President Nixon – according to Gerber (146) – and later Reagan were on a war against drugs; thus, possession of marijuana had immense penalties on the dealers (US Weapon 1). From the above, it is warranted to argue that banning of marijuana was not based on facts but on assumptions and claims grounded on the benefits of certain personalities in the country. Uses of marijuana Bello argues that a lot of symptoms can be treated using marijuana, for instance, during chemotherapy (180). Bello also notes that marijuana is useful for reducing nausea and vomiting, improving sleep, appetite and relieving pain (182). Case for Legalizing Marijuana I am of the view that marijuana needs to be legally recognized in the US. This argument is derived from an evaluation of the assumptions that outlawing of marijuana is simply a false fact. In the words of Gerber, arguing that marijuana is a major cause of cancer is purely invented (128). This is for the reason that tobacco smokers consume lots of cigarettes in a day as contrasted with the marijuana smokers. It is an obvious assumption that no individual smokes the same amounts of marijuana as an individual who smokes tobacco. Moreover, Goldstein indicates that salt and some dairy products are cancerous yet they are consumed (120). Fox, Tvert, and Armentano are of the opinion that though marijuana consists of lots of chemicals, the same applies for drugs such as coffee (64). An evaluation of the number of chemicals in marijuana does not confirm that marijuana is lethal. In this case, Morgan indicates that marijuana has been perceived noxious, yet the statistics are wholly deceptive (9). In the opinion of Goldstein, marijuana is indicated to be a gate pass to harder drugs (120). Goldstein continues to argue that over 75% of people who use marijuana do not indulge in other hard drugs (119). Going by the ordinary view point, the leeway to drugs would debatably be indicated to be alcohol, or any form of wine. In this case, the government must change its focus and find other reasons for prohibiting marijuana. On the same line, the argument that marijuana is addictive is not logical as far as medical conclusions are concerned (Morgan 9). Caffeine is said to be more addictive as seen in the work of Fox, Tvert, and Armentano; thus, the government must attempt to change the belief that marijuana is addictive and should not be legalized (64). Other anti-marijuana scholars and personalities are of the view that marijuana impairs the learning ability of people. US Weapon argues that the government indicated that only heavy use of marijuana may impair learning (1). This is to mean that the allegations are not certain and are mere assumptions lacking inductive interpretations and analysis (Husak 158). From the research conducted by US Weapon, it is clear that effects on marijuana were minimal on learners. Marijuana also does not hinder long-term memory, and the causal marijuana smokers were barely affected as opposed to the alcohol users (Fox, Tvert, and Armentano 26). As evident from the above, the marijuana myths are separating the individuals from the truth. I am of the opinion that marijuana should be legalized as each person has the right, freedom and liberty to use marijuana so long as no harm is caused to the person. Additionally, the government cannot force a person to live healthily by controlling what they inhale since the kinds of food that are consumed by individuals are also toxic. The government does not have control over everything people consume or inhale; the same case applies to marijuana. With the war against marijuana rising with the years, the question still remains on the dedication of the US government towards banning other hard drugs (US Weapon 1). On this note, it would be logical enough if the government shifts more of its energy to alcohol effects, and other security issues that are more important than marijuana arrests. Legalization of marijuana will also have a great impact on the social lives of people in regard to security and safety of people. Morgan argues that legalizing marijuana will greatly reduce the number of cases of drug gang violence (76). The author further emphasizes that this move will also reduce the number of deaths caused by illegal trade of marijuana. Husak also supports the legalization of marijuana by arguing that marijuana will greatly increase the tax income of state governments (98). From these claims, one could easily support the fact that marijuana should be legalized. Conclusion Conclusively, marijuana faced the illegal ban in the early 90s. As seen in the essay the ban was majored on assumptions. It is these assumptions that led to the case for legalizing the drug. The conception of marijuana inbeing cancerous has been disqualified from the essay. Alcohol has also been termed as the bridge to the abuse of drugs as opposed to marijuana. Educators are of the opinion that marijuana has no effect on learners, and that all the above are assumptions. All in all, according to the statistics brought out by US Weapon, marijuana smokers are on the increase. Legalization of marijuana should, therefore, be one of key agendas in the US government’s meetings. Legalizing marijuana has more benefits unlike prohibiting the drug. Works Cited Bello, Joan. The Benefits of Marijuana: Physical, Psychological and Spiritual. CA: Lifeservices Press, 2007. Print. Fox, Steve, Mason Tvert, and Paul Armentano. Marijuana Is Safer: So Why Are We Driving People to Drink? NY: Chelsea Green Publishing, 2009. Print. Gerber, Rudolf. Legalizing Marijuana: Drug Policy Reform and Prohibition. NY: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2004. Print. Goldstein, Margaret. Legalizing Drugs: Crime Stopper or Social Risk? New York: Twenty-First Century Books, 2010. Print. Husak, Douglas. Legalize This!: The Case for Decriminalizing Drugs. New York: Verso, 2002. Print. Morgan, Kayla. Legalizing Marijuana. New York: ABDO, 2010. Print. US Weapon. The Case for Legalizing Marijuana. 2010. Web. January 13, 2013. http://standupforamerica.wordpress.com/2010/05/04/the-case-for-legalizing-marijuana/. Read More