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Persuasive Essay On Legalizing Marijuana

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Recommended: Positive impacts of marijuana legalization

Does marijuana kill us as much as carcinogens such as, alcohol, or tobacco? How is marijuana not fully legal yet? Why are people in trouble for doing marijuana? According to the World Health Organization, 2.5 million people died from alcohol use and 2.5 million people from use of tobacco each year worldwide. While these carcinogens are legal, there is no adverse public health impact in mortality from using marijuana (DeNoo). Currently, in the U.S 24 states have passed laws to allow marijuana, also known as cannabis, to be used for a variety of medical conditions, but still it is an offense under federal law (Controlled Substance Act). To increase our positive externalities, we must propose a bill to legalize recreational marijuana use into a law.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
During the 1920’s, the emergence of marijuana was brought about by Prohibition. Marijuana clubs, called tea pads, erupted in every major city. These establishments were tolerated by the authorities because marijuana was not illegal and consumers showed no evidence of disturbing the community. At the time, marijuana was not considered a social threat. In addition, cannabis was prescribed for various conditions, including, nausea, labor pains, and rheumatism by the United States Pharmacopeia …show more content…

Federal Bureau of Narcotics, it portrays marijuana as a powerful, addicting substance that would lead users into narcotics addiction. During the 1960s, marijuana was used by “hippies” and college students and it became a symbol of rebellion against authority. Afterward, the CSA classified marijuana as a schedule 1 drug. Under the “zero tolerance” climate of the Bush and Reagan administration, there are strict laws and mandatory sentences for possession of marijuana. For this reason, we are paying unnecessary taxes in order to keep prisoners jail, there are less regulations on marijuana. and economic losses occurring because marijuana is illegal

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Utilized for thousands of years for a plethora of ailments and other uses, cannabis, has been illegal at some level in the U.S. since the 1930s, and officially ban in the 1970s. The topic of illegal vs. legal marijuana has been a highly controversial subject for the past 9 decades. Political, economical, medical, and personal points of view have been made. It seems there is plenty to be said about a plant weed. Recently as many as thirty states and the District of Columbia have laws legalizing marijuana in some form or fashion.

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