The Boundaries of Legal Sociology - Assignment Example

Introduction Marijuana is also known as Cannabis sativa. The legalization of marijuana is regarded as one of the controversial subject which is prevailing around the globe. The debatable discussion about the issue of legalization is being circulated worldwide like wildfire. 50 years ago, the idea of legalization is impossible for many people to agree. Most of the Americans believe that marijuana is a dangerous addictive drug which leads to death of millions. Marijuana is used to induce alterations in consciousness, mood and meant for its psychoactive effects. Several studies indicate that the usage of marijuana can have lasting and short-term effect on health. The legalization is viewed as the bad community policy for the reason that the drug considerably impairs mental and bodily functions and regular usage can lead to cancer, memory loss, birth defects, etc. the authorization of consumption of marijuana can lead to predictable consequences which upsurge the usage of drug by minors and intensification of crime rate. The clinical and empirical studies clearly presents that negative aspects of the consumption of marijuana outweighs medical benefits. The prime purpose of the paper is to provide in-detailed analysis and discuss on prohibition of legalization of marijuana which can lead to rise of crime rate and worsen drug problems in state. Thesis statement “Legalization of marijuana should be prohibited as it is the gateway addictive drug that can lead to high crime rates, increase health issues and harder drugs, etc.” Analysis There has been solid pressure in recent years to decriminalize or legalize the possession and use of cannabis or marijuana. Across the United States, the state legislature is under supreme pressure on legalization or prohibition. Several advocacy groups claimed that use of marijuana is an effective and harmless treatment for medical and psychological conditions. Furthermore, Food and Drug Administration has not approved the use of marijuana for medical purposes. According to The National Survey on usage of drug, cannabis or marijuana is the most common used illegal drug in the United States. It has also been stated that more than 35 percent of female and 44 percent of male has at least once in their life used marijuana. United States data on The National Survey also states that the rate of marijuana consumption for people over the age of 12 years has been on rise. In 2007, the rate of marijuana use was 5.8 percent and 14.5 million users. In 2009, the rate increased to 16.7 million users and 6.6 percent of past month marijuana usage (Silberman 31). In United States, marijuana is the most used drug which is often linked to crime. The legalization of gateway drug can escalate the consumption of illegal drugs and eventuality lead to upsurge of crime. Some researchers also mentioned that legalization would invite violence and robberies. The cash-heavy marijuana business is an addictive drug for consumers. The addiction of the drug can lead to rise of crime rate. A study from national-drug policy states that 54 percent of people who are arrested are detected for consumption of marijuana. National survey in 2008, states that 8000 new smokers every day is addicted to marijuana. 20 million Americans are addicted to illicit drug. Furthermore, these users are 12 years old or elder. Marijuana treatment case in California reveals that 62 % of total cases are underage users. This determines the adverse impact of legalization of marijuana. As it can upsurge the number of underage marijuana users. The number tobacco and alcohol users are 129 and 70.8 million. Total number of marijuana users is 15.2 million. However, the number of users of marijuana would not rise quickly on the legalization of marijuana. But this legalization would subsequently increase the addiction of marijuana and other drugs. Survey from center of Disease Control and prevention of United States reveal than the consumption of marijuana can lead to deal of many people in U.S. In 2012, 749,827 people are arrested for violation of law, due to usage of marijuana. The incarceration rate of America is regarded as the highest. In 2012, the numbers of Americans that are taken in to local prison are 2,228,410 (Whitebread 19). The legalization would knowingly increase marijuana consumers and rate of drugs addiction. Economists reveal that legalization would raise the rate of consumption from 75 percent to double. There are also some positive aspects of legalization of marijuana. America spends more than 5 billion dollars every year on prohibition of marijuana. This huge amount is equal to 1 percent GDP of United States of America. 3 billion dollars is spent by New York for enforcement of legal laws and regulations. National Household Survey stated that, 19.5 million people are user of marijuana. The amount of revenue that is wasted for enforcing laws can be used for the benefit of the country (Calderia 9). 7.7 billion dollars can be saved by legalization of marijuana or cannabis. At the time of financial crisis, the financial and monetary benefits for legalizing are vital for economic condition of America. Sale of marijuana can impose sales taxes like in case of alcohol. It is estimated that the total revenue that can be generated is more than 1.3 billion dollars. There are several expenditures of government that are initiated for prohibition of marijuana is police security, correction, judicial and legal laws. 7.8 billion dollars can be saved by replacing legal and judicial laws for legalization. 2.6 billion dollars from police security. Lastly, 0.8 billion dollars can be saved in case of correction. California is the perfect example of a country has benefited from legalization of marijuana. 700 million dollars of revenue generated from legalization has benefited California to grow their economy (Sampson 28). The large amount of money spent for prevention can be utilized for the betterment of the country. Discussion In United States, new laws have been executed to crack down the use of cocaine, marijuana and other illegal drugs. The current restrictive, bipartisan and balanced drug rules and policies initiated by government of the United States have effectively contributed towards the reduction of rate of marijuana or cannabis consumption. In 1979, the rate of consumption of marijuana by Americans was 13.2 %. This percentage is based on people who are aged 12 or above. In 2008, there have been substantial drop on the rate of consumption from 13.2% to 6.1%. Over the past 29 years, 54% reduction of marijuana consumption can be regarded as a success (Moron 16). Marijuana can cause several health issues such as respiratory systems, mood, health rate, memory, coordination, IQ, learning, problem-solving and psychosis. It has been revealed that marijuana is more potent that it was 20 years ago. It is addictive drug that can force people to use other hard drugs. Total estimated users that are addicted towards consumption of marijuanaare 9%. Food and Drug Administration of United States does not support the legalization of marijuana. The available scientific research of FDA states that marijuana cannot be still used as medicine. Regular intake can also result in to severe problems such as infertility, damage of immune system, cardiovascular diseases and birth defects. The ratio of ammonia on marijuana is 20 times more than that of tobacco. The prolonged exposure of consumption of marijuana can also lead to collapsed lungs and lung cancer. There are several medicine values of marijuana such as reduction of tension, rid of choric illness and providing relief from the vast struggle of life. The negative aspect of marijuana outweighs the positive benefits. The legalization of marijuana would effectively upsurge the number of users. This tremendous rise of consumption can lead to several health issues. Several economists stated that legalization would benefit nation to save large amount of money that are spend for enforcing laws. On an average each state of United States spends more than 1 billion dollars for enforcing laws against consumption of marijuana. 7.7 billion dollars can be saved from legalization and used for the betterment of the economy. Jeffrey Miron, economist of Harvard, stated that expenditure cost be reduced by legalization. From 7 to 13 billion dollars of total cost can be reduced by legalization of marijuana or cannabis (Suchman 5). The justice system of the country can help to overcome addiction rather than legalizing it. Social cost can surpass the sales tax revenue for validation and legalization of cannabis or marijuana. Based on the experience of nation with tobacco and alcohol, it can be stated that more than 10 dollars is spend of social costs that than of 1 dollar in taxes. Social costs include emergency room visits, increase of drug treatment, traffic crashes, health-care, school drop-out and campaigning. The amount of revenue spend on enforcing laws for prohibition of marijuana is not specially initiated for reduction of marijuana consumption, but also introduced for other illegal usage of drugs. It is believed by many people that rate of imprisonment of marijuana smokers is high than that of taxpayers. This belief is considered as myth because very people users go to prison for consumption of marijuana. It has been revealed that users with first time primary offense of consumption of marijuana are 0.17 percentages. The legalization would lead to rise of drug-impaired driving. The significant causal factor for injuries, deaths and highway crashes is marijuana or cannabis. The national roadside survey stated that 8.6% of the marijuana users are tested positive (Parent 8). Additionally, this rate of concentration is four times more than that of alcohol concentration. Recent study reveals that, injured drivers who are admitted to the shock trauma center level-1 are all tested positive for the consumption of marijuana. 26.9% of seriously injured drivers i.e. more than quarter are fatally injured for marijuana (Black 18). Washington State conducted study on percentage on fatally injured drivers tested positive for intake of cannabis or marijuana is 12.7. These studies effectively prove that legalization of marijuana would increase the rate of consumption and eventually lead to severe accidents. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the leading cause behind the death of young people of America is use of illicit drug, marijuana. 70 percent of the drivers are affected by marijuana. 15 million people of America smoke marijuana because of initiation of drug policies (Bonnie 22). The alcohol users in America are 127 million. This resembles the fact the rate of smoking marijuana can increase after legalization. 18 times more accidents are caused by consumption of marijuana than that of alcohol (Meares 18). Researcher states that the flow of money can be reduced by legalization. But real story is that it will increase the flow of money. Moreover, it will raise the rate of accidents. Consequently, it would put more pressure on government to initiate and execute new strategy for reduction of accidents. Therefore, it is vital for execute effective strategy and plan to prohibit the legalization of marijuana that would help to slash the rate of crime, health issues and accidents. Conclusion This can be concluded that marijuana should remain illegal as it can create negative impact on society and lead to different health issues. Survey and evidence provides abundant knowledge about the negative influence of legalization of marijuana. There are also harmful effects of inhales marijuana such as respiratory system, liver disease, increase heart rate, disruption of reproductive health of female and increase risk of cancer. The authorization and legalization can send bad message to the younger generation. It can be more vulnerable for lower income people and minorities. Furthermore, this can open the flood gates for consumption of other illegal and dangerous drugs. The ability of people of taking any rational decision can be diminished by regular intake of marijuana. The intake of cannabis or marijuana can reduce the psychomotor skills of individual while driving. Additionally, this intoxication of marijuana would reduce the time of reaction at the time of emergency circumstances. The cause of fatal accidents is the use of marijuana. Some of the mental effects of consumption of marijuana are relaxation, slowness, paranoia, anxiety and tiredness. It is also well-documented that it creates negative impact of performance and cognition level of individuals. These are the primary reason behind the cause of accidents. It therefore appears that the negative data gathered from empirical studies outweighs the benefits. Based on the evidence, it can be concluded that marijuana should not be legalized. Works Cited Black, David. “The boundaries of legal sociology”. Yale Law Journal 2.2 (2010): 8. Print. Bonnie, Roger. “The forbidden fruit and the tree of knowledge: an inquiry into the legal history of American marijuana prohibition”. Academic Search Premiers 12.2 (2008): 22. Print. Calderia, Griffin. “The etiology of public support for the Supreme Court”. American journal of political science 5.1 (2002): 9. Print. Meares, Tony. “Charting race and class differences in attitudes towards drug legalization and law enforcement: Lessons for federal criminal law”. JSTOR 77.12 (2001): 18. Print. Moron, Junior. “The economic case against drug prohibition”. The journal of economic perspectives 18.1 (2005): 16. Print. Parent, William. “Privacy, Morality, and the Law”. Philosophy and Public Affairs 4.1 (2004): 12. Print. Sampson, Rulph. “Legal cynicism and tolerance of deviance: The neighborhood context of racial differences”. Law and social review 33.5 (2008): 28. Print. Silberman, Michael. “Toward a theory of Criminal deterrence”. American sociological review 28.2(2006): 31. Print. Suchman, Evan. “The" hang-loose" ethic and the spirit of drug use”. Journal of health and social behavior 12.2 (2002): 5. Print. Whitebread, Chris. “Constructive Possession in Narcotics Cases: To Have and Have Not”. Virginia law review 2.1 (2012): 19. Print. Read More