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Persuasive Essay On Legalizing Marijuana

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Marijuana is a topic that causes significate debate in the United States. And I have discovered that it isn’t always easy to find profound research based information on marijuana that can answer question and concerns about this specific drug. Is it okay to make this drug legal in the United States, if it is legalized is it something that should only be legalized for medical use, or recreational use? I wanted to take the time to address some of the issues I feel people have the most questions about. Congress determined that marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance. In 2012 Colorado and Washington passed initiatives that would make marijuana legal for adults twenty-one and older. But something that needs to be addressed is that Congress determined that marijuana is a dangerous drug and that illegal sales of it is still a serious crime. Marijuana is …show more content…

In the year 2011 more than 18 million Americans age 12 and older reported using the drug. Also approximately 4.2 million people met the criteria for abuse or being depended on this drug. This is more than pain medication, cocaine, tranquilizers, hallucinogens, and heroin combined. There are very serious consequences associated with this drug. In 2010 marijuana was involved in more than 461,000 emergency department visits nationwide. This number is nearly 39 percent of all emergency department visits involving drug use. And in 2011, around 872,000 Americans 12 or older reported receiving treatment for marijuana use more than any other illicit drug. I feel that there are many viewpoints to this drug being harmless, but these numbers and valid points state that this drug has very real and serious problems. Marijuana puts a strain on the healthcare systems, and it causes serious danger to the health and safety of the users, their family, and the people they care most about. I also feel like this drug causes more problems with the

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636). Thus, they argue that the legalization of marijuana, should be similar to those of alcohol and tobacco where there are regulations for the sale to minimize any health related problems it may cause (Joffe & Yancy, 2004, p. 636). Additionally, tobacco and alcohol are among the most abused substances used by adolescents; despite having regulations for their sales through enforcing legal ages for purchase, they still find ways to purchase and consume these substances. Moreover, the legalization of marijuana would assist in pain relief as a less toxic, addictive and essentially safer drug in comparison to what some individuals use for chronic pain such as opiates and alcohol. It has been reported that there has been 25% of a decrease in the deaths related to opiate overdose; essentially, marijuana could contribute to the harm reduction that other substances cause (Mitchell 2016, p. 63)

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An amazing 76% of American doctors and 66% of British voters approve of medical marijuana use to help cure or treat symptoms of these diseases. Not to mention, medical marijuana has a shockingly low potential for abuse, especially when compared with other, more extreme, yet legal, pain relievers. It has been proven multiple times that this is true. The American College of Physicians stated in 2008 that “ACP urges review of marijuana’s status as a schedule I drug and its reclassification... regarding marijuana’s safety and efficacy in some clinical conditions,” (Source 2). This proves that it is far less harmful and addictive than other schedule one drugs like heroin and LSD.

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The federal ban on medical marijuana should be lifted so that patients can have access in all states in the US. Perhaps the largest concern regarding medical marijuana is the question of its medical value, although it is now recognized as a medicine in 28 states. Many among the opposition of the marijuana movement argue that marijuana has no medicinal value and is strictly being used to get people high. This concern is

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Societal Issues Surrounding Marijuana The use of marijuana has become very prominent in the United States. In 2009, approximately 16.7 million people ages 12 and up claimed to use marijuana (Answers to Frequently Asked Questions). Although many people associate marijuana use with a negative connotation, it has begun to take a turn toward the greater good: medicine.

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A final factor to consider when looking at the reformation of federal marijuana laws are the social costs associated with the criminalization of cannabis. The American federal government, through the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, categorizes drugs based on their potential for abuse and possible medical uses. A schedule V drug is considered to have clear medical efficacy and a low potential for abuse, while a schedule I drug is considered to be highly addictive and of no medical value. Of all the schedule I drugs, considered federally to be the most dangerous of controlled substances, only marijuana has been legalized on a state level, in direct conflict with Federal law. According to the Drug Policy Alliance, these federal laws, constituting America 's "war on drugs," have led America to imprison more people per capita than any other nation in the world (The Drug War).

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In American society, the use of marijuana, whether it’s medical or recreational, is a highly discussed topic. There are arguments for and against both recreational and medical marijuana. Between the arguments of safety and practicality, the truth about this drug has gotten mixed around and changed. Although it is believed that marijuana would only negatively affect our society, the use should be federally legalized, at least medically, in all 50 states because it has a very low risk when it comes to an individuals health, would improve the economy, and aid medical advances.

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As a nation we have come to point where we must take a unified stand on the issue of marijuana. Since 1937 the drug has been deemed illegal by the U.S. government but over the best decade, people have been pushing for the decriminalization of the cannabis plant. As a non drug user, i have researched the internet in search of unbiased information regarding the drugs health, economic, and crime influences on society. The fruits of my labor have brought me to the undisputable conclusion that our continued restriction on possession and use of the drug not only violates the liberties of U.S. citizens, but it also is costing Americans Billions of dollars, and something, our lives.

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Since 2002, a survey found the use of marijuana by everyday Americans has doubled, and will most likely continue to grow. Cannabis, which is better known as Marijuana, is a plant that produces buds that can be smoked, vaporized, manufactured into an extract, and even cooked with food to eat. Already 23 states in the United States have loosened the laws on marijuana, but still place heavy restrictions on the drug. I believe marijuana should be legalized all over the U.S. because of the fact it truly helps people with illnesses, and though some people express concern about “atrocious” effects of the drug, too many cops are focused on arrests for marijuana.

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The Federal Statute governing marijuana as a Schedule 1 Drugs/Substance is flawed. Marijuana is labeled as a schedule one drug or substance. As a result of this classification, marijuana cannot be legal at the state or federal level. One part of the definition of a schedule one drug is: “no currently accepted medical use in the United States, a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision, and a high potential for abuse”, according to dea.gov. However, the United States is currently using marijuana as an accepted medical treatment.

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but it’s the way it goes. Marijuana is the most common used drug in the United States. After a decline in the last 10 years, its use has been increasing among juveniles

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In two thousand and nine there was a national survey done by The National Institute Drug Abuse which showed that more than one hundred and four million kids over the age of twelve had at least used marijuana at least once in life. Parents that is a serious problem! A hundred and four million kids, not a thousand, but a million kids. The consumption of marijuana in teens has risen in the last couple of years and continues to keep getting higher and higher. This problem has risen because of the parents not taking action in the teen’s life when they were younger and developing the lessons of life.

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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-

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While marijuana , one of the most abundant crop in the country is currently a major source of controversy, medical records show that marijuana has never been much the reason for health issues,social problems, and death in the United states. It is contradictory for some people because using marijuana also has many advantages ; that’s why the debate over whether marijuana should be legalized or not is controversial.

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The facts are that , since Colorado, America is seeing the real threat that marijuana poses against a person’s health. Marijuana is addictive. 9 % of all marijuana users become addicted to it, and 17% of adolescent users become addicted. Becoming addicted to a substance like marijuana is dangerous. Marijuana slows a person’s reaction time.

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This subject has been debated numerous times over the past few years. People’s points of view and researches about the topic have varied greatly. Some people believe that marijuana should be legalized, while the rest feel should stay prohibited. Proponents of marijuana argue that there are numerous medical benefits and that the drug is not more harmful than tobacco or alcohol. On the other hand, opponents argue that marijuana is too dangerous; its legalization would increase the chances of the drug falling into the hands of teens and that marijuana use often progresses to the use of more dangerous drugs like heroin and cocaine.

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