ipl-logo

Effects Of Marijuana Decriminalization

1622 Words7 Pages

Background to marijuana use The most recent development in marijuana legalization efforts were seen in Washington DC after voters took limited steps in marijuana possession and home production. These unprecedented moves are in line with great lobbying from the pro-marijuana movement which has clearly established that the US society is mature enough to make independent choices when it comes to marijuana use. “The effects of these legal steps may take a long time to be felt but in the meantime lobbying for marijuana legalization is gradually bearing fruits as more and more states continue to adopt it” (Allen, 2015). Since the legislation took effect, several commissions such as the Shafer Commission have been initiated to examine arguments for …show more content…

Considering the trend that states have followed in decriminalizing Marijuana, it is not possible to claim that marijuana has been legalized in any specific instance. This is because it is still criminal to possess marijuana exceeding specific amounts. For example, it is legal to possess only 1 oz of Marijuana for personal use in Vermont and any amount beyond that is illegal. Therefore, decriminalization up to a particular amount is not tantamount to legalization. “Currently, the US Federal law prohibits Marijuana manufacture, distribution, sale and even possession of marijuana regardless of the amounts. Therefore according to the federal law, marijuana possession and use is still illegal. However, the federal law has allowed states to determine by themselves the legalization of marijuana on condition that there is adequate state authority to prevent its legislation from interfering or obstructing execution of federal duties” (Cole, 2013). It also demands state legislation to ensure that citizens enjoy public safety, public health and other benefits under federal law. The legalization should uphold the eight provisions provided for by the Attorney General’s office to prevent the law from being …show more content…

The movement for marijuana legalization cannot afford to be ignored because masses of people pushing for its legalization have acquired a massive amount of leverage in technology. Previously, it was possible to ignore marijuana protagonists by giving them media blackout or ignoring calls for legalization in different parts of the country (BOSCHERT, 2010). Today, marijuana legalization debate is all over the social media and information regarding its safety is not a preserve of the few as has been the case before. In the background of that, the federal government and the anti-marijuana campaigners have a responsibility to explain to the population with facts as to why marijuana should or should not remain illegal or in some cases why it is not decriminalized (legalization of possession not exceeding specified amounts). With many in the United States looking at Vermont, California, Colorado, and Washington, the marijuana debate should now take the forefront in government legislation and the true picture established based on survey and scientific

Show More
Related

  • Persuasive Essay On Legalization Of Marijuana

    1693 Words  | 7 Pages

    In the past decade, a number of movements to legalize the use of marijuana has been gaining momentum. According to the 2016 Gallup survey, a record high 60% of Americans say that marijuana should be legalized and this figure marks a 9% increase compared to 2014. Support for legalizing marijuana was 31% in 2000, 50% in 2016 before reaching 60% last year. This shows that despite government efforts to eliminate its use, marijuana is becoming more popular. It is clear that

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Why I Changed My Mind On Weed By Dr. Sanjay Gupta

    734 Words  | 3 Pages

    Back in the early twentieth century, marijuana was mainly used for medical purposes in the US. Now, both it 's recreational and medical use is increasingly being consumed by the population and the tendency is to continue increasing. Much has been said about the use of marijuana as a solution to different health problems, and although not everything that is said is true, it cannot be ignored that marijuana can help in the treatment of some cases of adult patients. CNN’s chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, was opposed to the medicinal use of cannabis. Based on his knowledge as a neurologist, he was convinced that the drug was dangerous and had dismissed its supposed therapeutic benefits.

    Read More

  • The Controversy: The Demonization Of Marijuana

    173 Words  | 1 Pages

    Out of all the drug in the world marijuana is the one drug that has caused the most controversy in society today. No one has even stopped an actually questions why it’s illegal, when looked back at you can see it was mainly passed to control the Hispanic population that was crossing over after the Mexican revolution. Dr. Markett Bunett, a marijuana law and policy expert, stated in a response paper “The demonization of the cannabis plant was an extension of the demonization of the Mexican immigrants. In an effort to control and keep tabs on these new citizens, El Paso, TX borrowed a play from San Francisco’s playbook, which had outlawed opium decades earlier in an effort to control Chinese immigrants. The idea was to have an excuse to search,

    Read More

  • The Union The Business Behind Getting High Ethos

    1023 Words  | 5 Pages

    The truth about marijuana is that it should be legalized, and this is the stance that the documentary, “The Union: The Business Behind Getting High” is taking. The film uses great examples of ethos, pathos, and logos in an effective and persuasive way. “The Union: The Business Behind Getting High” details the hypocrisy in keeping marijuana illegal while having tobacco, a far more dangerous drug, legal, the reasons behind marijuana being illegal flipping to the complete opposite of its origin as an illegal substance, how marijuana is one of the most versatile and healthy herbs on the planet and how it is inexpensive compared to its substitutes, and how so much money is being put into a war against marijuana, even though it is an unwinnable

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Woodstock

    1748 Words  | 7 Pages

    In the 1960’s marijuana use had no outstanding effects on the United States people but in today's society the use of marijuana had become a huge epidemic over the past years. Even though it has been scientifically proven that marijuana can help seizures, Crohn’s, and effects of cancer, yet many people in today's society still believe that it has no use. In the United States 45 percent of drug arrest in 2013 were due to marijuana, but at Woodstock in 1969 when there was a controversial “Drug War” no one was arrested for marijuana (Merino par. 3). The use of marijuana is more strict in the United States now then it was in

    Read More

  • Medical Marijuana Argumentative Essay

    1461 Words  | 6 Pages

    Although there is a chance for addiction, medical marijuana should be legalized in all states because it has accumulating health benefits, is administering relief to pain, and is less threatening than most opioids and

    Read More

  • The Argument Essay: The Legalization Of Marijuana

    814 Words  | 4 Pages

    The topic of this controversial essay will be about is the legalization of marijuana. I will be advocating for the legalization of marijuana. The legalization of marijuana is so controversial because it was outlawed in the past, but now people are discovering new things it could do and wish to have it legalized once again. The legalization of marijuana can offer medical benefits, generate a lot of tax money, and decreases prisoner space. The legalization of marijuana can offer many health benefits.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Legalizing Marijuana

    1312 Words  | 6 Pages

    The legalization of marijuana reduces can expose the propaganda that the government has implemented on the country. Some people in the United States ingest these false information without questioning the authenticity.

    Read More

  • Pros And Cons Of Legalizing Marijuana

    1178 Words  | 5 Pages

    Today the demands are changing in different states. In States such as Colorado and Washington, marijuana has been legalized for recreational use. This move raised several questions as far as decriminalization of marijuana is concerned. Besides portraying the US in a bad light, legalization of marijuana for recreation increases the risk of developing mental problems, increases government expenditure on public health, jeopardizes the future of children, and is a gateway to other dangerous drugs. Increased health problems and public health expenditure-

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Legalizing Marijuana

    569 Words  | 3 Pages

    Several new discoveries and evidence of the benefits of marijuana use have surfaced in recent years. To start, the social reasons behind legalizing the plant are almost unquestionable. First, it must be asked whether or not laws against marijuana infringe upon the rights of individuals as free citizens. This can be argued from several different sides, each being ineptly supported and logically reasonable.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Legalizing Marijuana

    1271 Words  | 6 Pages

    One of the top controversies in America today is whether or not marijuana should be legalized whether for medical or recreational use. Over ninety-four million Americans admitted to at least trying marijuana once in their life. For most, they find it unbelievable that the government can tell an adult, who supposedly has free will to do whatever they want in this country, that they cannot smoke a plant that comes naturally from the earth. The “drug” is now being researched and scientist are finding many benefits that would help many patients that have different diseases and or symptoms. The effects of the drug on an individual level along with it being considered a gateway drug have slowed the progress of marijuana being legalized.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Legalizing Marijuana

    1854 Words  | 8 Pages

    When looking at the solution to making this happen correctly there are clearly right and wrong ways of handling the disruption of marijuana when it becomes legalized. Moreover, there has been a clear wrong model within the alcohol industry, “But if the model for alcohol hasn’t worked well with alcohol, why immediately replicate it with marijuana?” (Lopez). Furthermore, within other industries whether it be in the alcohol or tobacco industry there is a clear issue with the way they advertise in the media. It is clear that they are just trying to make money by selling it as something it is not.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay: Why Marijuana Should Be Legal

    1015 Words  | 5 Pages

    Why Marijuana Should be Legal Marijuana is a very prominent issue in society today. Many false and slanderous things have been said about marijuana in recent times. But the truth about marijuana continues to reveal itself. Sadly these truths are being criticised because of the stereotypical view that many people call the typical “pot smoker”.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Legalizing Marijuana

    1031 Words  | 5 Pages

    Throughout the decades since 1972 when marijuana, or cannabis, was classified as a controlled substance to humanity it has been an interminable quarrel of which the recreational herb should be legalized for the purpose of purchase and use in the United States. While a few voluntary states currently allow the production and distribution of marijuana the controversy over legalizing the drug for the integrated states of the U.S. has yet to cease. Marijuana however has proven to have its various prosperities to if or when it becomes legalized such as medical dilemmas. Past, present, and future treatments in the medical area involving marijuana makes conclusive arguments towards the oblique of its legalization. Furthermore, the circumstance of study that will ultimately open up freely to science will be massive.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay: The War On Drugs

    1223 Words  | 5 Pages

    “One in three people admit to trying marijuana at some point in their lives”(“Marijuana Use and ItS Effects”). One year before Portugal decriminalized all drugs another region closer to home decided to take a step in the same direction. In 1973 Oregon was the first state in the United States to legalize marijuana for medical use. For about twenty years after that not much attention was given. Then in 1996 California also legalized marijuana for medical use, and shorty after in 2006 Colorado legalized marijuana for medical purposes.

    Read More

More about Effects Of Marijuana Decriminalization

Open Document