A Review Of Charles Stimson's Legalization Of Marijuana

Marijuana is an ancient plant that that has been used for centuries throughout the world. Marijuana has psychoactive properties and by 1937 had become illegal throughout the United States. This essay will examine the conflicting views of Charles Stimson in his article opposing the legalization of marijuana, and that of Ethan Nadelmann is his article supporting legalization. According to Hickey (2013), 700,000 people are arrested each year, and 60,000 are confined in jails and prisons. Eighty-seven percent of the arrests are for simple possession of marijuana moreover marijuana crimes are about the same for all illicit drugs combined (256). Ethan Nadelmann supports the legalization of marijuana primarily because of the overwhelming support

Charles Stimson work may be a side effect from watching Refer Madness, one too many times. Charles points out that Marijuana is addictive and not safe. He devalues the rights of the American public when he fails to mention that statistically, most Americans want the discrimination of marijuana, medical marijuana and many for it to be completely legal. His work is so emotionally charged with unfounded fear based statements it is hard to read. Stimson states “No one knows what the specifics how marijuana discrimination would work in practice or what measures would be necessary to prevent children, teenagers, criminals, and addicts from obtaining the drug” (Hickey, 2013, p 262). This apoplectic apocalyptic of unintended consequences is founded on weak logic and correlation of almost unrelated circumstances. For instance, Stimson uses statistics concerning the increase of crime rates where marijuana is used legally on coffee houses in Amsterdam. Amsterdam not only allows marijuana to be sold, but they also sell hashish, magic mushrooms and a few other psychedelic delights such as ibogaine can be found in a coffee shop. Moreover, prostitution is legal in these areas. Medical marijuana dispensaries placed in California were set up in higher risk areas, clients coming to buy marijuana may have just increased the opportunity for thieves. There is little basis to support that marijuana directly caused more crime. Another outrageous statement made is that if marijuana becomes legal, it will cause the use of more illegal drugs. It would be more rationale to support that since marijuana users would not have to buy their product from an illicit drug dealer, they would lessen their happenstance in coming into contact other illegal drugs. Drug dealers are also called drug pushers for a good cause; they want to sell what they have in stock. Stimson backs up everything he