Arguments For Legalizing Marijuana

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Final Paper Scott Gebhard PHI 103: Informal Logic Instructor Joel VanZanten June 16, 2018 Final Paper The debate around legalizing the use of marijuana for recreational purposes has taken place for many decades. Many politicians and American citizens believe that marijuana is a harmful substance that has the capacity to lead towards heavier drug abuse, however, other's think the substance is harmless and beneficial towards maneuvering through life's circumstances. Marijuana, alongside alcohol, has been labeled harmful and destructive since the 1920's. One example of this is Nancy Regan's 1986 Just Say No campaign that was created to raise drug abuse awareness. Outright prohibition of this substance began in the 1920's …show more content…

P2: Legalizing marijuana would decrease the power associated with organized crime drug cartels. P3: The impairment level of marijuana versus alcohol is significantly less, despite alcohol being a legal substance. P4: The legalization of marijuana would decrease the cost of marijuana for medicinal purposes. P5: The growth process of marijuana does not require artificial chemicals because the substance grows naturally as a plant. P6: Marijuana is considered to be less of a gateway drug than alcohol. C: The legalization of marijuana for recreational use should be implemented. Defense for the legalization of marijuana for recreational …show more content…

A study conducted by Yale University concluded that marijuana and alcohol usage cause impairment towards the user, however, alcohol cause more intense impairments in reflexes and judgment (Sewell, Poling, Sofuoglu, 2009). The fourth premise states the marijuana used for recreational purposes would decrease the cost of medicinal marijuana because it would be less regulated, and people would have the option to grow in their homes. The fifth premise states that the growth process of marijuana doesn't require artificial chemicals because it's a natural plant. Many tobacco companies include chemical additives in their product which is a legal activity. This activity is not required to grow marijuana due to the chemical components already being contained inside the plant. The sixth premise states that marijuana is considered to be less of a gateway drug due to the fact most American's used alcohol as their first