Marijuana has different names in the streets and these include; Aunt Mary, Ganja, Grass, Mary Jane, Pot, Reefer, Sinsemilla, Skunk, Weed. Marijuana is said to be among the most smoked illicit drugs. In America, marijuana tops the list of the most abused illicit drugs. It is not only smoked but some people put it in food. Its worth noting that marijuana is not active wholly but the most useful component in it is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is the chemical responsible for the several side effects associated with Marijuana. Without this chemical, marijuana cant stimulate (Kaplan, 1969).
Effects of Marijuana
I highly differ from the recent arguments propelled towards legalizing marijuana. There is a high temptation leading to people thinking that since many people are abusing marijuana and look healthy, the drug is harmless. I disagree with this notion since marijuana has both short and long-term side effects. a spirited campaign for the legalization of this drug has been by the Rastafarians movement. They believe that the drug has a spiritual link since they avert that it was first found on king Solomons grave (Lyman & Potter, 2007).
My major disagreement on the legalization of marijuana is grounded on the scientifically discovered side effects which are too serious to be ignored. These effects are classified into two categories that are long term and short-term effects. The common of these effects is the cause of hallucinations, acute memory loss, and delusions. Marijuana increases ones heart beats leading to increased heart rate and poor coordination and uncontrollable anxiety.
The drug also leads to dry bloodshot eyes. Needless to say, the effects of marijuana are highly dependent on the duration the drug has been used. The eye-associated effects have been said to form part of drug-related accidents. My second disagreement on the legalization of marijuana is based on the long-term effects. Just like any other drug, marijuana leads to addiction hence making a person a physiological dependence machine. After addiction, it has been said that that acts as a gate away to another hard drug such as cocaine. This situation aggravates the situation of the person taking the drug making it hard to leave the drug since every action must be stimulated by the drug. Further, much consumption results in higher risks of cancer due to the tobacco content in the marijuana plant (Kuhn & Wilson n, 2008).
Socially, legalization of marijuana will give birth to many crimes associated with the effects o,f the drug. For instance failure to solve problems in a logical way may lead to physical confrontation hence causing fights at home. To add on many the marijuana addicts rarely work.this will leave them with two ways of getting their money to buy their drugs that are begging and commonly stealing it. Further, moral degradation will cause lawlessness hence our societies will experience the worst forms of social disorders. Massive breach of peace will result to fear. Grave interference with day to day activities after consuming marijuana cannot be ruled out (Lyman, & Potter, 2007).
I am strongly opposed to making marijuana legal since its continued use is said to result to mental illness. Loss of memory occurs in the early stages but at advanced abused level it leads to insanity. Some of the mental complications are quite costly in their treatments while others cause permanent head damage. Any move to legalize marijuana should be rejected since when the drug is illegal it deters many people from using it afraid that if arrested they may land in jail.Legalising marijuana will be an indirectly allowing drug abuse and the highly endangered people are the under age and subsequently the whole society at large (Kuhn & Wilson, 2008).
It will be a great mistake to fail to mention the lung complications leading to a variety of respiratory illnesses. Diseases such as lung cancer are highly attributed to marijuana smoking. Sexually the drug causes reduction in sexual pleasure which if it continues for sometime leads to loss in sexual pleasure (Kaplan, 1969).
Marijuana should not be legalized since it leads to infertility. Infertility in women which can not be cured. So many women populations will be subjected to this serious threat of leading their lives without giving birth which is a serious threat to humanity and not women. Similarly marijuana abusing leads to lower sperm count in men. Kuhn & Wilson, W. (2008)
Legalizing marijuana will increase the rates of addiction and the biggest challenge will be the efficient control of the marijuana sellers not to sell the drug to children of under age. Moreover legalizing marijuana will open and create a bad precedent which with time will lead to active campaigns. The pro marijuana legalization argue that failure to legalize it is a violation to right and freedom of determination and will but it should be borne in mind that drug abuse breed an environment of violence which interferes with the rights of other people.A person standing next to a person smoking is put at a greater risk and harm hence his/her right cannot be ignored (Kaplan, 1969). The state will be sending an approval signal to those already undecided whether to use marijuana or not. Its a ringing bell and awake up call to those undecided to decide to start using marijuana.
Conclusion
I am persuaded to state that legalizing marijuana is a serious mistake if committed by a state and its not only morally wrong but its a time bomb which if let to explode can cause many effects on a country such as crimes and violence, among others. However, marijuana has its other scientific uses hence once grown for research the state must ensure strict control and restriction to the said research. Marijuana should always remain illegal up to that when we will have a morally conscious society.
References
Kaplan, J. (1969) Introduction of the Report of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission ed. by The Honorable W. Mack worth Young,Simla: Government Central Printing Office.
Kuhn, C.,S., & Wilson, W. (2008) Buzzed: The straight facts about the most used and abused drugs from alcohol to ecstasy (3rd ed). New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Co.
Lyman, M.D., & Potter, G.W. (2007). Drugs in society (5th Ed). Cincinnati, OH: Anderson Publishing LCCN 74-84211, pp. v-vi
Marijuana consumption and prostitution should have legal terms as any other business. Despite that, in some countries, the consumption of marijuana, as well as prostitution, has been labeled as immoral. More specifically, prostitution is one of the acts that a significant percentage of society regards as indecent. Marijuana consumption and prostitution started in ancient times; they were not as recognized as in the present times. As such, many economies have debated legalizing them despite the religious and social sectors challenges. Although the consumption of marijuana and prostitution have been branded evil, they are a source of earnings for many families globally.
The selling of marijuana is a major business in many economies in the world. The business has been conducted in many countries as a backstreet activity because of legal requirements. Marijuana is always branded as illegal due to its side effects on human health. The business is not legalized, and no control measures are applied. The regulations and control measures will create an avenue for the selling of marijuana for medical purposes; hence, the sellers will earn more income. The cost of marijuana also does not fluctuate unlike other goods on the US market (Kilmer & Kleiman, 2016). Therefore, marijuana has been operated on major streets of big cities in the US and globally.
Prostitution has supported many unemployed families. The prostitutes are left with no option as they have no sources of income. Thus, many families have benefited through prostitution as a source of living (Kilmer & Kleiman, 2016). The government should factor in where the families will go and how they will still maintain a source of living. Moreover, prostitution also has supported many women who have been affected by unemployment. As such, the federal governments should devise ways of providing the families with supplemental income, for example, by creating more jobs that will prevent them from doing the business. Therefore, prostitution has created opportunities for many families through the income earned.
While a large percentage of the economy has supported marijuana and prostitution, the moral aspect must be considered in creating a decision. For instance, the selling of marijuana and prostitution have adversely affected many youths through addiction and other negative impacts on society. As such, the adverse influence on many teenagers lives should be considered in the decision that will be made on the aspects of legalizing or illegalizing the two businesses (Kilmer & Kleiman, 2016). Moreover, through the consumption of marijuana, many families have entered crime and other illegal actions. The most essential part is having control over the industry of selling marijuana and supporting the families involved in prostitution. As a result, the government should develop ways of controlling marijuana and prostitution businesses to help the families who are associated with both.
Morality should be the factor considered in the legalization of marijuana. More notably, marijuana selling has supported many families through the revenue earned. Additionally, most prostitutes are forced with financial issues to get into the businesses. For example, many families have been raised through prostitution. As such, better solutions should be established to increase their income and control the negative impacts of the business. Therefore, every state should develop ways of controlling the influence of selling marijuana and prostitution before establishing a conclusion on either legalizing or illegalizing their operations.
Reference
Kilmer, B., & Kleiman, M. (2016). Marijuana legalization: What everyone needs to know. Oxford University Press.
It is not a secret that marijuana as well as other drugs are prohibited throughout the world. Only in some countries, cannabis is legalized: Jamaica, Netherlands, some states of the USA, Canada, Portugal, Spain, Czech Republic, etc. Thereby, the question of marijuana legalization is a topical one in other parts of the world. The essence of the issue difficulty is that there are too many contradictive opinions on whether the legalization of marijuana would be beneficial for society or harmful for it. On the one hand, the medicinal property of marijuana is a phenomenon that is not a secret for medical experts. On the other hand, the effect of marijuana legalization is still terra incognita in the aspect of usage increase, crime rate, and addiction. Moreover, using marijuana for both medical and personal purposes is considered an abuse of law. The Justice Department has raided farms, shut down dispensaries, and prosecuted suppliers. It has sought to punish doctors who recommend marijuana for medical purposes (Steinbrook, 2004, 1380).
The debate over the Effect of Marijuana Use on Health
Nevertheless, numerous researches demonstrate the fact that the danger of marijuana usage is the lowest compared with other famous drugs. If to be more correct, the rate of death caused by marijuana is the lowest. Still, ignorant usage of marijuana may cause harm in different aspects of health. For example, scientists proved that the risk of a heart attack after a smoke of marijuana cigarettes is high in the first hour after it. Marijuana increases heart rate by 20-100 percent shortly after smoking; this effect can last up to 3 hours (NIDA InfoFacts: Marijuana, 2010). Another dangerous effect of marijuana abuse connected with lung diseases may be explained by the fact that compared with tobacco smokers, marijuana users inhale more deeply and hold their breath longer than tobacco smokers do (NIDA InfoFacts: Marijuana, 2010). Some experts admit that social life can also be influenced greatly by using marijuana. They argue that according to statistical data, people who abuse marijuana have various problems connected with social life.
However, marijuana can be a highly important treatment for certain diseases. There have been continuous debates over the medical properties of marijuana. Some experts admit that there are no obvious benefits of introducing cannabis to the healthcare system. Still, others argue that the cannabis plant contains active ingredients with therapeutic potential for relieving pain, controlling nausea, stimulating appetite, and decreasing ocular pressure (NIDA InfoFacts: Marijuana, 2010). That is why its importance cannot be underestimated. Nowadays, two main trends in the introduction process of marijuana into medical service are observed. The first one is connected with general medicine. The principle of its usage is stated above. The second trend of marijuana medical usage is called recreation. It means that marijuana can be used as a method of relaxation and recreation, and it has huge therapeutical potential (Joy, Watson, and Benson, 1999, p. 99). Still, such therapy should not develop into cannabis abuse (Murray, Morrison, Henguet, and Forti, 2007, 892).
The aspect of addiction to marijuana is another topical issue. There is a preconceived myth according to which marijuana is a drug that causes addiction. Marijuana is not physically addicting. Medical studies rank marijuana as less habit forming than caffeine. The legal drugs of tobacco (nicotine) and alcohol can be as addicting as heroin or cocaine, but marijuana is one of the least habit forming substances known (Marijuana Myths). Cannabis is one of the drugs which do not cause any addition. In such aspects such terms as addiction and desire to have a relaxation are mixed. Nevertheless, it is rather difficult to define where the boundary between these two notions can be drawn. As a reason why marijuana should not be legalized some experts suggest that this drug is a getaway one. In other words, it means that marijuana is a step towards the usage of harder drugs. Still, recent investigations prove that it does not suggest that the pharmacological qualities of marijuana make it a risk factor for progression to other drug use (Joy, Watson, and Benson, 1999, p. 99). Moreover, about seventy-five percent of people who smoke cannabis do not even try harder drugs. On the contrary, the percentage of people who are addicted to tobacco and alcohol progress are more inclined to pass to another step of drug addiction, than marijuana users.
Comparison of the Danger of Marijuana, Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption
Marijuana legalization program opponents often claim that the decriminalization of cannabis will lead to the usage increase. They are especially preoccupied with problems which concern childrens marijuana usage as well as with the rapid development of mass marijuana consumption. Among other consequences of marijuana legalization, they see the possibility of a drug stimulating injurious behavior which may spread all over the country. Still, there are several facts, which contradict these facts. Firstly, these categories of people do not take into account, that such drugs as tobacco and alcohol are now decriminalized. Usually, people do not percept these goods as recreational drugs, as long as they are not prohibited. Still, the British medical journal The Lancet sorted out the top twenty of the most dangerous drugs where cannabis took the eleventh place, while alcohol and tobacco got the fifth the ninth respectively. Besides, alcohol had second place in the category of threat to others, and tobacco was in the third place in respect of drug dependence (The Top 20 Most Dangerous Drugs). Comparing degrees of marijuana and alcohol toxicity and addictiveness, Jack E. Henningfield, Doctor of Philosophy for the National Institute on Drug Abuse says that marijuana is less dangerous. Alcohol is indeed a more toxic drug, as long as using just 10 times what one would use to get the desired effect can lead to death . At the same time, one needs to take a dose thousands of times to die. Still, this figure is purely theoretical, as long as there is no recorded case of cannabis overdose. Moreover, long-term marijuana usage is less harmful than long-term alcoholic use; scientists, which research this sphere, usually connect it with adverse health consequences, including liver cirrhosis, various cancers, unintentional injuries, and violence (Facts on Cannabis and Alcohol). Firstly, though marijuana is accused of being a reason for lung cancer development, no documentary case indicates lung cancer in a marijuana-only smoker. (Kaufman, 2006) Secondly, while alcohol is the drug that stimulates direct intoxication-violence relationships, cannabis reduces violent desires during intoxication. Comparing marijuana and tobacco use, many scientists claim, that moderate smoking of cannabis is less dangerous to humans lungs than tobacco usage: Like tobacco smoke, marijuana smoke contains several irritants and carcinogens. But marijuana users typically smoke much less often than tobacco smokers, and over time, inhale much less smoke (Myths and Facts About Marijuana). Thereby, they take in less harmful substances and damage from cannabis smoking is lesser than from tobacco consumption.
Comparison of the Teens and Childrens Rate of Marijuana Consumption in the USA and Countries, where Marijuana is Legalized
Our government and executive powers spend a lot of time, money, and efforts to fight against marijuana consumption. At the same time, great sums of money earned on cannabis selling finance shady business. Still, laws against marijuana consumption do not work, as long as about 1000 million American people have tried it; among them, nearly fifteen million use it at least monthly. Among high school seniors, cannabis is known as an easy-to-get thing (Effective Arguments for Advocates of Taxing and Regulation of Marijuana). As long as the marijuana trade is fulfilled in the sphere of shade business, our government does not have any possibility to control it; at the same time sellers, such licensed spheres as the alcohol or tobacco trade have stimulus not to sell these goods to under aged teens. Still, marijuana sellers do not have any incentives not to sell cannabis to children or teens. Very often they sell are low-quality goods, which are more hurtful for consumers health. Still, governmental regulations can help society cope with this problem. This hypothesis is proved by the experience of countries where cannabis usage is already legalized.
In the Netherlands, for example, marijuana is sold in regulated establishments to adults who must show proof of age. As a result, according to a 2008 World Health Organization survey, the overall rate of marijuana use in the Netherlands is less than half what it is in the United States. Additionally, only 7% of Dutch teens have tried marijuana by age 15. In the U.S., as many as 20.2% of teens have tried marijuana by age 15, according to government estimates as high as 20.2%. (Meno, 2010)
Economic Aspects of Marijuana Legalization
At the same time, there are still economic questions, which can be also taken into account while speaking about the possibility of cannabis decriminalization. For example, the State of California saved on more than one billion dollars thanks to the commutation of criminal liability for possession of an ounce or less of cannabis, which became considered as a citable misdemeanor instead of a felony. Money, which supports shade business, has to be controlled by official authorities. If drug sellers will lose their monopoly on marijuana keeping and selling, they will not have the necessity to deal in this sphere. Many researchers think that in this case government will be able to lay certain regulations on the process of selling cannabis and money will supplement the state budget. Speaking about the marijuana legalization reform, Madeline Martinez, an executive director of the National Organization for the Reform Of Marijuana Laws, Oregon chapter, says, that This is a law that would allow the state to end the black market of marijuana sales, and it gets marijuana sales under the control of the state and the money into state coffers where, I believe, it belongs (Saker, 2008). Many economists think over the idea of economizing funds, which are nowadays spent for measures that cannot be fulfilled. If the marijuana prohibition laws do not imply any sense, then why should the government spend so much money, which it gets from accrued taxes when there are so many important problems, such as the usage of hard drugs, for example. Declaring for such reforms, a senior lecturer and director of undergraduate studies in the department of economics at Harvard University, dr. Miron thinks that Replacing marijuana prohibition with a system of legal regulation would save approximately $7.7 billion in government expenditures on prohibition enforcement $2.4 billion at the federal level and $5.3 billion at the state and local levels (Budgetary Implications of Marijuana Prohibition in the United States). Taking into account the research we have completed we may conclude that the majority of scientists who support the marijuana decriminalization program, consider that marijuana is less toxic, addictive, and hazardous to health than such drugs as alcohol and tobacco. Marijuana does not increase risks of lungs care and does not establish intoxication-violence relationships, in comparison to alcohol and tobacco. We may also add that according to economic observations, our government spends a lot of money on the marijuana struggle, while it does not have any sufficient effect. Nowadays, children and teens have more access to this drug in the USA than in countries where cannabis is legalized. At the same time, many economic observers claim that our country may save great sums by the means of taxing marijuana usage in the same way as drugs and alcohol. Moreover, this perspective also presupposes, that funds and powers which will be available after the reform, will be intended to fight against bigger and heavier problems, such as heroin usage. Besides, not only money is included in this helpless cannabis struggle; police efforts are also wasted while marijuana is still considered an easy to get thing.
Nowadays, social oppression towards the process of marijuana legalization decreased. 41% of Americans agree that marijuana use should be legalized (Morgan 2009). Compared with the 1979 year the oppression decreased by fourteen percent. In other words, it becomes obvious that contemporary society become more and more ready for recognition of marijuana as a legal treatment. Speaking about social acceptance of marijuana legalization we cannot but demonstrate the voting process for providing marijuana a status of a legal treatment in South Dakota. According to the latest survey, one may see that the majority of people agree to accept marijuana both for recreation and medical purpose. Only 25 percent of interrogated people consider the usage o marijuana an immoral phenomenon (Table 3). Still, it is rather difficult to admit whether the majority of people would vote for the legalization of marijuana in South Dakota. The thing is that although the percentage of South Dakota citizens who consider the legalization of marijuana illegal and immoral is rather small, only the third part of the interrogated people has no fear about its effect. From Table 2 it is obvious that there are numerous kinds of fear which may prevent the legalization of cannabis in South Dakota. The strongest fear is an addiction as a result of the absence of critical thinking which is caused by marijuana abuse. Still, the majority of people do not see any negative in the process of marijuana legalization. It means the even though people are unsure about the safety of marijuana legalization eager to vote for it, which contradicts their attitude towards cannabis. From Table 3, which is also based on the survey, we may see that out of seventy percent of people who would come to voting only about twenty percents of people are against medical use of marijuana, and about forty percent do not see any beneficial factor of marijuana use for recreation. Thereby, we may analyze concluded, that a relatively low level of voting attendance, and rather a dubious attitude towards marijuana does not allow yet to legalize marijuana properly.
Appendix
Table 1. Social Acceptance of Marijuana (Results of the Survey)
Social Acceptance of Marijuana
The question
Yes
No
Opposed to marijuana use for medical purposes
0
8
Opposed to marijuana use a recreation drug
2
5
The use of marijuana is immoral
2
6
Table 2. Social Fears of Marijuana Legalization (Results of the Survey)Table 3. Correspondence of Number of People Who plan to Vote and Their Attitude towards Marijuana Legalization (Results of the Survey)
References
Budgetary Implications of Marijuana Prohibition in the United States. Web.
Effective Arguments for Advocates of Taxing and Regulation of Marijuana. Web.
Facts on Cannabis and Alcohol. Web.
Joy, J. E., Watson, S. J., & Benson. J. A. (1999). Marijuana and Medicine. Web.
Murray, R. M., Paul, D.M., Henquet, C., & Forti, M. (2007). Cannabis, the Mind, and Society: the Hash Realities. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 8, 885-895. DOI: 10.1038/nrn2253.
Myths and Facts About Marijuana. Web.
Prohibition Fails to Reduce Teen Marijuana. (2010). Prohibition Fails to Reduce Teen Marijuana Use. eNews Park Forest. Web.
Saker, A. (2008). Legal Pot Backer Sees Pluses for State, Businesses. Oregon Business News. Web.
Steinbrook, R. (2004). Medical Marijuana, Physician-Assisted Suicide, and the Controlled Substances Act. The New England Journal of Medicine. Web.
Many people raise their voices claiming that they are forced to drink alcohol and become addicted as they are not allowed to use marijuana which is less addictive and has fewer negative health outcomes. The debate concerning the legalization of marijuana is still ongoing (Caulkins et al. 56). Moreover, it seems to intensify as many states make the medical and recreational use of this drug legal. Many Americans are prone to becoming active users of this substance as the number of people using and abusing marijuana is steadily growing since approximately six million Americans over 12 years old use this drug (Caulkins et al. 27). The entire nation (and especially adult American citizens) has the right and responsibility to address the problem to understand the reasons for marijuanas recent popularity. This paper examines the popularity of the substance in question with the focus on such major causes as availability and media publicity as well as the primary negative social effects.
The primary cause of marijuanas popularity is its availability due to legalization and advancements in production. For instance, over half of the states (29) and the District of Columbia legalized this drug in different forms (Caulkins et al. 152). The legalization also boosted the development of new strategies and tools regarding the production of the substance. People have managed to increase the number of active ingredients to make marijuana of higher quality, so-to-speak, and cheaper (Caulkins et al. 7). There is no secrecy, and there are no associated risks when distributing marijuana, which makes the drug more affordable.
The distribution of the substance is also profitable, so an increasing number of stores sell marijuana. Therefore, more and more people try this substance due to its affordability and availability. Another important cause of its popularity is marijuanas publicity through the media. In many Hollywood movies, people use the drug and receive pleasure as no side effects are usually displayed. Moreover, such superstars and even role models for many as Jonny Depp, Oprah Winfrey, as well as Barack Obama, admitted that they used or even were proud of using this drug at some point in their lives. Besides, the supporters of the use of Cannabis are very active in social networks and other types of media, which contributes significantly to the growing popularity of marijuana.
At that, the negative effects of its use are also apparent, and the social sphere suffers most. One of the central adverse outcomes of marijuana use is distorted social life (Caulkins et al. 62). For example, people using this substance have failed relationships, financial, and professional life problems. Students academic performance is significantly poorer as compared to the achievements of those who do not use marijuana. Of course, such effects can have a major impact on the development of the entire nation whose future can be jeopardized. The use of marijuana can lead to the development of a nation where individuals do not care about social ties and do not try hard to achieve something in their lives, which makes the social effects of marijuana use worth considering in the first place.
In conclusion, marijuana has become rather popular in American society due to its availability, publicity in the media, which is associated with the increase in the number of people whose social life suffers considerably. This paper includes a description of some of the primary causes and effects of the use of this substance. Although the causes and effects are quite clear, it is still unclear whether American society will successfully handle the issue. The promotion and popularization of healthy lifestyles as well as the discussion of numerous adverse effects of marijuana in the media can help Americans prioritize and focus on what is most important in their lives.
Work Cited
Caulkins, Jonathan P., et al. Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know. Oxford University Press, 2016.
Over the past decades, the world has experienced increased debate on the need for marijuana legalization. Marijuana is the realms most prevalent illegal drug, with an extensive base of regular users. It is the third most commonly used recreational drug in Western countries after alcohol and nicotine. Marijuana, which exists in dried leaves, seeds, stems, or flowers, comes from Cannabis Indica or Cannabis Sativa plant. People smoke the hard drug in blunts, hand-rolled cigarettes, vaporizers, mixing it in food, or eating and smoking different types of THC-rich resins. In the United States, the attitudes and laws towards the use and legalization of marijuana are rapidly changing. Despite federal prohibitions of cannabis use, thirty-three states, including the Columbia District, have legalized the use of medical marijuana, and eleven others have permitted its use for leisure. In comparison, fifteen others have decriminalized illicit drugs to some extent. Although many proponents of marijuana legalization associate the policy with numerous economic and medical benefits, easy accessibility and availability of the hard drug cause significant risks to consumers health, brain, and high prevalence of unintentional use.
Arguments Against Marijuana Legalization
Legalizing marijuana can cause increased and unintentional consumption of the related products leading to acute intoxication. Although different countries have shifted to authorizing marijuana for medical and recreational use, the move has led to increased use of this drug by the youths, later leading to addiction. According to Miller et al. (649), the legalization of marijuana makes it more accessible and increases peoples likelihood of consuming illicit drugs. Precisely, the legalization of the product reduces the costs of using it by eliminating the fear of punishment, enhanced availability, a lack of social acceptability, and an innate desire to abide by the law. The elimination of these fears increases the number of people unintentionally consuming the drug. For instance, a study at Washington State University found that recreational marijuana legalization enhanced the frequency of use and the proportion of undergraduate learners using the dope. Another survey among California youths found that the validation of marijuana in the district increased the frequency of use among the young adults who had used the drug before the legalization (Doran et al. 4). Besides, the increased advertising of the product also caused other people, especially the youths, to try the drug. In sum, recreational marijuana should remain illegal worldwide since its legalization increases the frequency of use and proportions among users due to easy access and elimination of costs.
Moreover, the adverse health benefits of marijuana use surpass the damaging effects of consuming the illicit drug on the brain and the users mental health. The dangerous drug has both short- and long-term impacts on the brain, affecting a persons functionality. According to data by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (4), using marijuana for leisure and medical purposes causes mood alterations, impaired body movement, hallucinations, delusions, and psychosis. The user mainly experiences these short-term impacts on the brain due to the THC component in the drug that acts on the specific brain cell receptor and over-activates these parts of the brain that contain vital receptors. Cannabinoids like cannabidiol and D-9-tetra-hydro cannabinol (D-9-THC) act peripherally and centrally at the endogenous brain systems essential receptors that take part in homeostasis and development known as the endocannabinoid system (Hammond et al. 1). The constant use of marijuana also affects brain development for teenage users since the drug impairs learning functions, thinking, memory, and the connection between the brain parts. For instance, a study carried out among twins found that the use of marijuana by some of the respondents caused a significant decline in verbal ability and general knowledge (As cited in National Institute of Drug Abuse 4). Hence, the legalization of marijuana may lead to the emergence of a community with impaired brain development and other psychological issues.
Other than its impacts on the brain, marijuana authorization in different countries may result in a poor state of overall health. The increased consumption of hard drugs due to easy access and reduced intake costs may increase the prevalence of some lifestyle illnesses linked to drug use. Peer-reviewed research by Memedovich et al. (344) found that the increased use of marijuana due to its availability led to an increased stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and respiratory complications among the users. The research also linked the use of marijuana products to arteritis, lung cancer, and an enhanced risk of fatal motor vehicle collisions. The National Institute on Drug Abuse also found out that the consumption of marijuana products could also lead to breathing issues, increased heart rate, problems with child development, intense nausea, and vomiting (6). The ratification of fun and medical use of the drug will make it more accessible and affordable to consumers, which will increase the number of drug abusers. 17% of young marijuana users develop cannabis use disorder, characterized by higher dependence, reduced appetite, irritability, physical discomfort, cravings, mood, and sleep challenges (Ladegard et al. 167). Hence, the legalization of marijuana products can cause a higher prevalence of lifestyle diseases and a weak society that cannot function without illicit drugs.
The Arguments of Proponents of Marijuana Legalizations
The supporters of marijuana legalization attach numerous medical and economic benefits to validating the use of the hard drug. According to Shah et al. (5), the authorization of medical marijuana reduces the probability of opioid use, chronic opioid consumption, and high-risk opioid use, a severe challenge in the US. Over the past years, illicit drugs have been effective in pain management, boosting immunity and improving quality of life. Economically, the legalization of marijuana can cause higher employment rates, generate more significant tax revenues, create a profitable industry, lower law enforcement costs, reduce overcrowding in prisons, and reduce the price of marijuana products (McGinty et al., 84). However, according to a statement by former US Attorney General Edwin Messe III, violent crimes in the US surge when marijuana is legitimately ample, and the economic costs of the validation outshines the benefits (Dills et al. 2). In sum, the proponents of legalizing marijuana support the authorization based on the use of marijuana for medical purposes and the subsequent economic benefits without considering its adverse impacts on the consumers.
Conclusion
Overall, despite the increased debate about marijuana legalization, countries should not pass laws that permit its medical and recreational use since the drug has detrimental impacts on the users health, safety, and overall drug use. Based on the review of the past studies regarding the legalization of the hard drug, the process causes adverse impacts such as increased and unintentional use of the illicit drug and severe impairments to the brain. The increased accessibility and availability due to the legalization may increase the use of more powerful drugs like heroin and cocaine and the higher prevalence of lifestyle diseases. Although the proponents of marijuana legalization argue that the laws may have a wide range of economic and medical benefits, it is evident that the risks and adverse impacts surpass the benefits. Hence, the use of marijuana for leisure and medical reasons should remain illegal under federal law.
Works Cited
Dills, Angela K., et al. The Effect of State Marijuana Legalizations: 2021 Update. Cato Institute, Policy Analysis, vol.908, 2021
Doran, Neal, et al. Post-Legalization Changes in Marijuana Use in a Sample of Young California Adults. Addictive Behaviors, vol.115, 2021, p: 106782.
Hammond, Christopher J., et al. Cannabis Use Among US Adolescents in the Era of Marijuana Legalization: A Review of Changing Use Patterns, Comorbidity, and Health Correlate. International Review Of Psychiatry, vol.32, no.3, 2020, pp: 221-234.
Ladegard, Kristie, Christian Thurstone, and Melanie Rylander. Marijuana Legalization and Youth. Pediatrics, vol.145, no.2, 2020, pp: S165-S174.
McGinty, Emma E., et al. Public perceptions of arguments supporting and opposing recreational marijuana legalization. Preventive medicine, vol.99, 2017, pp: 80-86.
Memedovich, K. Ally, et al. The Adverse Health Effects and Harms Related to Marijuana Use: An Overview Review. CMAJ open, vol.6, no.3, 2018, p: E339.s
Miller, Austin M., Robert Rosenman, and Benjamin W. Cowan. Recreational Marijuana Legalization and College Student Use: Early Evidence. SSM-Population Health, vol.3, 2017, pp: 649-657.
National Institute of Drug Abuse. Marijuana Drug Facts. National Institute of Health, 2019.
Shah, Anuj, et al. Impact of medical marijuana legalization on opioid use, chronic opioid use, and high-risk opioid use. Journal of general internal medicine, vol.34, no.8, 2019, pp: 1419-1426.
To legalize or not to legalize marijuana is a hotly debated topic, which has been around not for years but for centuries. Restrictions on the distribution of cannabis started in the 16th century. Although many different concessions have been made since then, the issue of legislative regulation of disputes on this matter remains a problem not only for national but also for the worlds lawmakers. The different policies on the legalization and prohibition of marijuana in some countries make the issue even more complicated. Some states or countries want to legalize marijuana for medical use, while others prefer to legalize it for entertainment purposes only.
Furthermore, some other countries still believe that marijuana should be legalized without restriction. There are many arguments in favor of legalizing marijuana, including that marijuana is used for medicinal purposes, it is safer than other drugs, and that the criminalization of marijuana is causing damage to the environment.
The first and most frequently cited reason for the necessity of legalizing marijuana among its supporters is that the plant is now used in a wide range of medicines worldwide. This range of medications includes primarily life-sustaining and painkilling medications for the terminally ill. All over the world, referendums are now taking place in favor of legalizing medical marijuana precisely for this purpose (Denham 78). Studies have shown that cannabis medicines are much more effective and safer as painkillers than opioids. States that have legalized marijuana for medicinal use to treat pain have greatly reduced rates of opioid overdose (Todd 110).
Besides, marijuana-based medicines are much cheaper, which is essential because families of terminally ill people already spend much money to buy life-sustaining drugs. In countries where marijuana is not legalized, people cannot access these medicines and are forced to use more expensive and more dangerous substitutes (Mcginty 35). Therefore, legalizing marijuana will allow patients to freely buy and use it for medical purposes without compromising their health by using opioids.
Another reason marijuana should be legalized is that it is significantly safer than alcohol or any other drugs. According to the NAM, thirty-two percent of people who try tobacco become dependent, fifteen percent who try alcohol and only nine percent who try marijuana become dependent (Todd 109). While alcohol and drugs kill thousands of people every year, marijuana is not capable of killing a human organism; it can only become harmful if used in an excessive amount. Studies have shown that cannabis is not harmful to mental health when consumed in moderation research has found no direct link between cannabis use and the development of mental health disorders among people (Sabet and Winters 123).
Moreover, marijuana does not cause any violent behavior. While other drugs, including alcohol, may cause aggressive behavior when they are consumed, marijuana has no deleterious effect on the human mind. There are far less health-related costs associated with marijuana use than with alcohol use, and alcohol use has a much greater association with violent and aggressive behavior (Todd 109). This statement proves once again that marijuana has no detrimental effects on the human mentality.
It is also worth mentioning a less obvious but critical threat of marijuana prohibition it is causing tremendous harm to the environment. Especially now, when the world is on the edge of an ecological crisis and eco-activists are doing their best to promote an environmentally friendly way of life, marijuana prohibition appears to be a high-risk factor (Schwadel and Ellison 410). Many of the marijuana encroachments grow on public and private land.
Protected fields of land are often destined for illegal cultivation. It has all been documented damage to land and water, illegal cutting down of forests, unregulated construction, destruction and pollution of streams, poisoning and destruction of wildlife (Todd 114). Moreover, all this damage is caused by the illegal cultivation of marijuana. If the government legalizes marijuana, it will be able to control this sphere and establish designated areas for the safe cultivation of the plant.
According to the above arguments, the legalization of marijuana would bring significant benefits to both humans and the environment. When the use of marijuana for medical purposes is permitted, it will make life easier not only for many patients but also for their doctors. They will no longer have to cope with the deleterious effects of opioids. When the plant is legalized for personal use, many people will start using it and avoid the harmful effects of substances like alcohol or prescription drugs.
People will replace dangerous products with safer marijuana, which not only does not cause significant harm to health but also does not cause aggressive behavior or mental disorders. Therefore, not only will the number of referrals to medical facilities for drug addiction decrease, but the number of accidents that occur while under the influence of drugs or alcohol will also be reduced. This fact implies that the legalization of marijuana is a necessary step for the national governments these days.
Works Cited
Sabet, Kevin, and Ken Winters, editors. Contemporary Health Issues on Marijuana. Oxford University Press, 2018.
Todd, Tamar. The Benefits of Marijuana Legalization and Regulation. Berkeley Journal of Criminal Law, vol. 23, no. 6, 2018, pp. 100-114. Web.
In many nations, such as the United States, Marijuana is the most widely used illegal substance. Approximately 28 million years ago, on the eastern Tibetan Plateau, the cannabis plant underwent evolution, as revealed by a pollen study released in May 2019. According to the survey, it has been used for as long as 2500 years (Marcu 289). Numerous studies have found Marijuana to have a variety of advantages. They include both medical and recreational. Marijuana, also widely recognized as cannabis or hemp, is currently illegal in 35 states. Only 15 states have legalized Marijuana (Hall 281). Whether Marijuana should be legalized is a contentious issue. It is essential to comprehend which assertions relate to the public and how such discussions to influence policy positions. This understanding is crucial for public medical and health stakeholders who will have to communicate new research results about the economic, health, and social implications of legalizing recreational Marijuana in the coming years. It is essential to comprehend which assertions relate to the public and how such discussions to influence policy positions. This paper argues in favor of legalizing Marijuana, emphasizing the array of CBD oils and products that have extensive benefits to society.
Americans are exposed to arguments supporting and against decriminalizing cannabis for adult recreational consumption through mainstream media and other sources. Numerous arguments are defined concerning the possible effects of the policy, as is typical in discussions of social policy. According to communication research, audiences can be persuaded to endorse the public policy. This is achieved by emphasizing particular elements of an issue and framing it in a particular way (McGinty et al. 85). Little is generally recognized about how the general public views the relative merits of contending arguments for and against the decriminalization of Marijuana for recreational use. Also of importance is how strongly different assertions are linked to backing decriminalization. Public medical and health experts will have to communicate new research findings concerning the economic, health, and social implications of legalizing recreational Marijuana over the coming decades (McGinty et al. 85). It is essential to comprehend which suppositions gain traction with the public and how such assertions influence policy choices.
The vast and varied discipline of integrative medicine has become more prominent. This progress is because there is growing enthusiasm for discovering more ways to treat people experiencing pain. Also, there is some proof that the availability of medicinal Marijuana is associated with a decline in opioid usage. The use of the Cannabis sativa plant in medical Marijuana, cannabidiol (CBD) oils, and hemp has emerged as a potential area. However, there has been debate over the benefits and risks of promoting poorly managed medical use of a drug understood to be addictive (VanDolah 1840). Due to the relatively low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content, hemp and cannabidiol oils have gained prominence since they are thought to have health benefits without the psychoactive effects of Marijuana.
CBD Oils and their Health Relevance in Body Systems
The legalization of Marijuana, mainly for CBD and hemp oils, will revolutionize the field of medicine in many ways. Many human systems involve hormones or compounds with the same molecular structure as that CBD elements. It is essential to consider the benefits of CBD oils in improved healthcare before quickly discarding the idea of legalizing any Marijuana products. By linking all of the bodys organs and structures, the endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis throughout the entire organism. The ECS has been linked to several pathological conditions and crucial regulatory processes. They include the maintenance of cellular immune metabolism in the gut, anxiety, chronic inflammatory conditions, and migraines (VanDolah 1840). Phytocannabinoids, cannabinoids derived from plants, have been looked into as possible therapeutic options in several cases. This consideration has been mainly due to their modulation of the ECS. Such a solution emerges even though the body already produces its intracellular cannabinoids, most prominently 2-arachidonylglycerol and anandamide.
The body has a complex ECS that functions through intracellular cannabinoids. Nevertheless, many cannabinoids derived from plants have additionally been found to function on the ECS. Over 80 phytocannabinoid derivatives were found in the marijuana plant (VanDolah 1841). The initial discoveries were made based on C sativa research. It would be unfair to criminalize Marijuana without considering such huge discoveries. Discoveries can be applied to ensure that patients get better medicinal and therapeutic services. Many other foods and plants, including carrots, black pepper, cloves, Echinacea, and ginseng, have also been found to contain phytocannabinoids and other significant C sativa constituents as terpenoids (VanDolah 1845). CBD and THC, the far more prevalent phytocannabinoids in cannabis and hemp strains, are the most well-understood and remarkable.
Tetrahydrocannabinol has been shown to act as an agonist at the CB1 receptor primarily. This process results in its very well-understood intoxicating impacts. Contrarily, it has been discovered that cannabidiol works through a diverse array of intricate pharmacological processes (VanDolah 1847). These processes include the suppression of endocannabinoid reuptake, activation of G protein-coupled receptor 55 and transient receptor possible vanilloid 1, and increased frequency of serotonin 5-HT1A receptors (VanDolah 1847). Cannabidiol has significantly less psychoactivity than THC because of how little it agitates the CB receptors. Therefore, it is essential to consider the therapeutic and health benefits that CBD and hemp oils provide to the human system, even without the THC compound, which results in highness and substance abuse.
CBD Oils as a Painkiller
Chronic pain is a condition associated with many patients experiencing a variety of illnesses. For instance, cancer patients and patients with inflammatory guts experience immense pain (Marcu 291). Regular painkillers may be working for these patients. However, there is a high likelihood that such patients end up getting addicted to strong painkillers such as oxycodone. The remedy for severe pain may be aided by hemp and CBD oils. In neuropathic and inflammatory rodent pain frameworks, cannabinoids have antinociceptive consequences. This is as per an enormous body of reassuring preclinical scientific proof.
Furthermore, it has been suggested that CBD may also address addiction by reducing the amygdalas stimulation while transmitting unpleasant emotions. It has also been discovered to lessen heroin-seeking behavior, probably due to its serotonin and dopamine regulation. Cannabidiol is, therefore, a desirable option for treating chronic pain. Such is true mainly in the context of opiate addiction (Ishida et al.). Cannabidiol has potential efficacy, low potential for abuse, and favorable safety characteristics. CBD and hemp oils can come in handy to alleviate the issue of painkillers addiction. CBD and hemp oils have a reduced amount of THC. This means that it will provide patients with pain relief without them getting the highness which instead leads to addiction.
Indications that CBD oils are better remedies for pain were prototype clinical studies with limited sample sizes. Therefore, more research is required. However, research shows potential future uses of cannabinoids in the therapeutic intervention of pain management and opioid addiction. In light of the contentious research supporting expanding access to medical cannabis as a pain relief alternative, more consideration should be given to the best commercial and political ways to expand access to CBD (Ishida et al.). That is why it is essential to legalize Marijuana to conduct more research and studies. Legalizing Marijuana means that more cannabis traits will be available for better inferences in the future. Notably, such studies may showcase other medicinal benefits of CBD oil besides pain relief.
Individuals recently started to notice a new assortment of products in their clinical spotlight. Due to extensive media coverage and the latest decriminalization of cannabis-based prescribed drugs, cannabidiol (CBD) oil has rapidly risen in the UK (Lall 395). When used topically, CBD oil is touted as a divine intervention treatment for conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cancer, epilepsy, various forms of sclerosis, neurodegenerative disorders, autism, and chronic inflammation and pain (Lall 395). A small body of research supports these claims, most focusing on CBD products obtained through prescribed medication.
Products constituting CBD oil are frequently marketed as natural self-medication and purchased as food supplements. Patients may be tempted by this, which is reasonable given that it gives them more control of their health (Lall 395). However, it could also result in more false diagnoses. More kinds of toothpaste drops and mouth sprays made from CBD oil are starting to appear. Additionally, these items are advertised as having the capacity to ease anxiety. For dental practitioners, there could be a lot of adverse effects from this. It is unknown what effects CBD-based items might have on the mouth.
Additionally, sedative/anxiolytic products may influence shared decision-making. Also, there may be unknown drug interactions. Considering the extent to which CBD oils are being sold without a guideline, it is sure to say that the same is happening in the United States. This calls for the quick decriminalization of Marijuana to ensure that nobody gets the wrong prescription for CBD oil products. Notably, most individuals purchasing these products are patients with chronic illnesses. Legalizing Marijuana will promote a more statute study of the products to ensure that patients are well informed before buying CBD oil products. The following picture shows marijuana leaves, seeds, and extracted CBD oil which, according to studies, is responsible for its medicinal benefits.
Cbd Oil Extraction Photos
Conclusion
Hemp oils and cannabidiol are phytocannabinoid compounds that have potential benefits since they are not intoxicating. More study is required to comprehend better the clinical effectiveness and likely health impact of hemp oils CBD. This understanding is critical given the rising patient intrigue in and using these commodities. Although the items have not received FDA approval for medicinal use, caregivers continue to use them. Physicians should educate themselves about both significant safety concerns and possible therapeutic gain. Careful product selection is essential when considering patient safety and possible efficacy. Therefore, decriminalization of Marijuana is highly appropriate if scientists are to understand better the effects and benefits of CBD products and hemp oils. Additionally, the current product knowledge gap means patients purchase items without full knowledge of the appropriate quality or dosage.
Hall, Wayne. The Costs and Benefits of Cannabis Control Policies. Cannabinoids, vol. 22, no. 3, Sept. 2020, pp. 28187,
Ishida, Julie H., et al. Substitution of Marijuana for Opioids in a National Survey of US Adults. PLOS ONE, edited by Lars-Peter Kamolz, vol. 14, no. 10, 2019, p. e0222577.
Lall, S. CBD Oil. British Dental Journal, vol. 228, no. 6, 2020, pp. 39595.
Marcu, Jahan. The Legalization of Cannabinoid Products and Standardizing Cannabis-Drug Development in the United States: A Brief Report. Cannabinoids, vol. 22, no. 3, 2020, pp. 28993.
McGinty, Emma E., et al. Public Perceptions of Arguments Supporting and Opposing Recreational Marijuana Legalization. Preventive Medicine, vol. 99, 2017, pp. 8086.
VanDolah, Harrison J., et al. Clinicians Guide to Cannabidiol and Hemp Oils. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, vol. 94, no. 9, 2019, pp. 184051.
Marijuana is a common drug that is present in many regions around the globe. However, unlike other drugs, marijuana is prohibited in many parts of the world. The drug was legal in several countries at the beginning of the 20th century. Research into some of its effects made it illegal in most of the nations (Dyke, 2014). Currently, the trend is that most nations are revoking the legislation of criminalizing the use of marijuana.
The states of Colorado and Washington are some of the regions in the US that have legalized the use of the drug, with a host of others relaxing their ban on its use. Colorado and Washington have joined other nations in the world that have decriminalized the use of marijuana, including Netherlands and Brazil. The PREPARE and IMAGINE model in social work allows the analysis of some of the social issues in the contemporary environment. This model is beneficial in issues such as the legalization of marijuana.
Most researchers who have devoted themselves into investigating the effects and use of marijuana contend that most of the legal drugs cause thousands of deaths every year. According to them, marijuana contributes the least in terms of causing deaths. Therefore, they assert that the drug should not be banned in any part of the world. This research uses the PREPARE and IMAGINE model to evaluate the legalization of marijuana.
Prepare and Imagine Model
The problem that is to be addressed in the research is the legalization of marijuana for recreational and medical use in the states that have not done so in the US and other parts of the world. The reality is that many states, territories, and nations around the world still consider the sale and use of marijuana illegal, despite most studies showing little evidence of mortalities that have resulted from the drug. The primary goal of the paper is to establish the reasons behind the ban on the use of marijuana.
People who are mostly affected by the decision to legalize the drug include inmates who have been arrested with charges of being in procession and/or possession of the drug, or having used the drug. According to Michelle Alexander, as quoted by Short,
Here are white men poised to run big marijuana businesses, dreaming of cashing in bigbig money, big businesses selling weedafter 40 years of impoverished black kids getting prison time for selling weed, and their families and futures destroyed. Now, white men are planning to get rich doing precisely the same thing (Short, 2014, Para. 3).
The effects of legalizing the drug include the creation of a large market. The concern is that most of the individuals who are arrested because of this drug stand to lose. The cost and benefit of any move towards the legalization of marijuana may be assessed on the side of the people who use and/or sell the drug. While most of the individuals who are taken into custody because of processing marijuana have been found guilty and held in prisons, the larger number of individuals who deal in the drug are mostly the Whites. Ironically, the law is often in their favor. Michelle Alexander asserts that the population of marijuana offenders in state prisons in the US is disproportionately white (Short, 2014).
The offenses are not applicable to the white majority. Several risks are involved in the legalization of marijuana in many states. One of these risks is highlighted in Alexanders article that reveals that most of the people who benefit from the legalization of the drug use are mainly the Whites (Short, 2014). The legalization of marijuana use and procession will also pose a challenge to the authorities in terms of how to deal with the issue of the large population of inmates who are convicted for processing or using marijuana. Authors such as Anderson, Rees, and Sabia (2014) assert that the legal system has contributed to the low social status of some communities due to their discriminatory laws in the use of marijuana.
The evaluation of potential success of the legalization of marijuana in many states is documented in many literature materials (Anderson, Rees, & Sabia, 2014). The legislation that outlaws the use of marijuana for recreational purposes is based on the findings that the drug is not safe for human use and that it has adverse health effects. Any success towards the legalization of this drug will require the evaluation of studies that demonstrate that the drug is not harmful. The research paper demonstrates the idea towards the legalization of the recreational use of marijuana.
Legal systems in different parts of the world are the main assets in the debate on whether or not to legalize marijuana. In most of the places where marijuana use is illegal, people of low socio-economic status such as the black population in the US constitute the main group that is affected by the laws. The legalization of marijuana will require the introduction of policies that govern the use of the drug. Figure 1 shows the expected trend in the number of countries and states that are removing the ban on marijuana use.
Theoretical Perspectives
There are numerous theoretical perspectives on the legalization of medical marijuana (Mello, 2013). In the past decade, the United States has seen changes in the legislature, including the legalization of marijuana in some of the states such as Washington and Colorado. Voters in these states nominated the legalization of the drug, including the lifting of the ban. Frequent use of marijuana results in the alteration of the mind of the user, especially for those who use the drug frequently. The drug is also associated with significant addiction and harm to the individuals who use it. The legalization of marijuana is likely to come with the effects of the drug such as unwanted health effects. Researchers assert that such a move will lead to increased unhealthy patterns among users, including the development of non-communicable diseases (Short, 2014).
Proponents of legalization of marijuana claim that the use of this drug has traditionally been associated with fewer side effects unlike the use of other drugs such as cigarettes and alcohol, yet these drugs are legally used throughout the world. This claim concurs with Alex Jones words,
The drug war is a total scam, prescription drugs kill 300K a year, while marijuana kills no one, but they spend billions/year fighting it, because pot heads make for good little slaves to put into private prisons, owned by the banks who launder the drug money, and its ALL DOCUMENTED (Jones, 2006, Para. 1).
Strengthening Jones claim, White (2014) uses William Buckleys words,
The amount of money and of legal energy being given to prosecute hundreds of thousands of Americans who are caught with a few ounces of marijuana in their jeans simply makes no sense the kindest way to put it. A sterner way to put it is that it is an outrage, an imposition on basic civil liberties and on the reasonable expenditure of social energy (White, 2014, Para. 3).
The words imply that legalization of this drug should be approached with much concern because the few documented effects of the drug will be more prominent with the increased use that will follow its legalization. The justification of the drug will also be followed by other legal issues such as the demand for the release of prisoners who have been arrested because of processing or using the drug.
Racial discrimination that is evident between different races in the US has also played a significant role in the debate of whether to legalize marijuana or not. The black population is reportedly incarcerated more than the white race, especially in relation to drugs (Short, 2014). Researchers claim that authorities use this drug to segregate this population to ensure that it is not successful in the society. Therefore, the latest moves towards the easing of the ban on the drug have followed the pressure for authorities to attempt a reduction of taxes that are used to maintain prisoners.
Some of the social issues raised by proponents and opponents of the legalization of the drug stem from the differences between the diverse races in society. Most of the proponents for the legalization of marijuana state that the drug has traditionally been used as a scapegoat by local authorities to ensure that the black population is controlled (Short, 2014). However, people who oppose the legalization of the drug cite the slave trade that many black people were involved in, which left them with nothing of their own. They were only allowed to work for their previous masters.
Some of the reasons behind the ban on the use of marijuana are political. Nations have attempted to control their political environments by regulating the practice that is common among specific parts of the population. Over the past few years, the majority of the population in the US has pushed for the legalization of marijuana (Hartman, 2013). The number of supporters is also increasing on a daily basis, with the politicians joining this quest for legalization of the drug. The strongest sign that the validation of marijuana is gaining popularity is the recent development in the states of Colorado and Washington where citizens have voted for the legalization and control of marijuana for recreational use (Short, 2014).
Strengths to the Change Process
The legalization of marijuana use for different purposes is associated with different effects to the society. However, some of them are positive. The main effect of the move to legalize the use of this drug is a reduction in the number of convictions. According to Hartman (2013), most of the individuals who have met the long arm of the government for processing and/or using marijuana in the US are disproportionally male blacks. If legalization of its use takes place, the number of imprisoned black individuals is likely to reduce significantly. The perceptions that there is discrimination in the arrests will also reduce by the day after the validation of marijuana.
The other strength with the legalization of marijuana use in different parts of the world and the US is the reduction in the size of the prisoner population. According to Hartman (2013), the US has one of the largest prisoner populations in the world. Over 25% of the prisoner population in the world is based here. Most states and nations spend significant amounts of money annually in the construction and maintenance of prisons and jails, with other public amenities such as the education system suffering from reduced financing (Hartman, 2013). The implementation of the proposed laws on marijuana will contribute towards lowering the money that is used to finance the prison systems
Other strengths that are associated with the legalization of marijuana include its medical and recreational use. This drug has centuries of use. In the period where it has been used, the effects on the individuals are not as bad relative to those of other legal drugs. Medical marijuana is increasingly being used throughout the world. Some researchers claim that medial uses can be passed to the general population. However, the disadvantages of the legalization of this drug include the significant negative health effects with which the drug is associated.
Marijuana is associated with increased incidence of schizophrenia in a population that is greatly susceptible to the condition (Hartman, 2013). This situation has led researchers to believe that the drug has bad side effects on the central nervous system, and that it should not be used in any population. However, the truth of the matter is that the increase in schizophrenia is not significant in the general population. Alcohol and smoking are associated with greater morbidity and mortality as compared to marijuana use, with thousands of deaths occurring each year in relation to these drugs. However, most of the authorities have allowed the use of these drugs whilst making marijuana use illegal.
In the two states that have allowed the use of marijuana, the restrictions allow users to process only small portions of the drug (Hartman, 2013). Such users are also allowed to use the drugs in specific places, especially in their homes. Nevertheless, they should avoid public places where marijuana use is still prohibited. Currently, no nations have total legalization of the drug. However, the expectation is that nations that legalize it will increase by the end of the decade.
Figure 2: The relative deaths associated with alcoholism, smoking, and marijuana use.
Relevant Article
As Short (2014) reveals, Michael Alexander is one of the authors who have written on the legalization of marijuana in the US and the impact that it has on the nation. The author focuses on the disparity that the ban on marijuana has had in the US, including the creation of a system to incarcerate one race. Alexander states that many of the imprisoned individuals and those who are under the justice legal system in the US are disproportionately black (Short, 2014).
The ban on marijuana emerges as one of the methods that are used by authorities to ensure that this population does not succeed in comparison with its white counterparts. Short (2014) asserts that the lifting of the ban on marijuana should be accompanied by an evaluation of the events since the drug was banned. The implications are that the legalization of the drug requires authorities to admit making mistakes. This step will be followed by a reconciliatory process where people who are affected by the ban, especially the young black males, will have their fortunes restored.
Alexanders argument is that lifting the ban on marijuana use will mean that the majority of the population that has been arrested for offences, which are related to the drug, will have been wronged. This population will require a formal apology where the authorities apologize and compensate them for their troubles. There can be no replacement for time lost for the prisoners since some of them lost their families, friends, and bonds were broken. Alexander continues to state that the injustice that will result from legalizing marijuana can only be compared to the apartheid system that operated in South Africa, with the only remedy being reconciliation (Short, 2014).
In most of the states where marijuana is legal, the white population is benefitting from trade in this commodity while the black individuals before them suffer in prison. The solution that is offered in the article is to have offenders released in addition to the making reconciliatory efforts as evidenced in Jimmy Carters words,
Penalties against possession of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug itself; and where they are, they should be changed. Nowhere is this more clear than in the laws against possession of marijuana in private for personal use& Therefore, I support legislation amending Federal law to eliminate all Federal criminal penalties for the possession of up to one ounce [28g] of marijuana (Carter, 1977, Para. 26).
Carter projects that the trade in marijuana will increase in the coming years, with significant revenue being generated through the trade. However, this situation does not change the fact that most of the individuals who were imprisoned because of the trade are still in detention centers (Hartman, 2013). Any authority that will engage in the trade without reconciling the past and the present will fail in their attempts, thus leading to cultivation of racial segregation and possibly racial animosity.
Legalizing marijuana will strengthen one of the races while convicting the blacks to their low social status. Legalizing marijuana is a strategy by some of the authorities to reduce the expenses incurred in running large-sized prisons (Short, 2014). According to some individuals, the government and politicians are under pressure to downsize the prisons because they cannot handle the massive state prisoner population. Therefore, the attempts will lead to insufficient reconciliation between the authorities and the affected populations.
Discussion
Marijuana use is prevalent in many parts of the world, despite efforts by different authorities to reduce its usage by outlawing the drug. However, medical use is common since thousands of patients who use the drug depict positive effects. The PREPARE and IMAGINE model has a wide application in social sciences. Its application in the assessment of marijuana legalization shows the likely effects of this measure. In the recent move towards the justification of marijuana use in the US and other parts of the world, a number of proponents and opponents have interacted. Unlike other drugs that have harmful side effects such as cigarette smoking, marijuana use is associated with few harmful effects (Mills, 2013).
The perceptions on the use of marijuana are changing around the world, with citizens voting to legalize the drug as evidenced in the states of Colorado and Washington. The prediction is that marijuana will be legal in most parts of the world by the end of the decade. The changes that are likely to take place with the legalization of marijuana include a reduction in the number of convictions and arrests.
The legalization of marijuana is a political and social issue that has significant effects. Grinspoon (2013) quotes the words of Richard Nixon saying, Federal and state laws (should) be changed to no longer make it a crime to possess marijuana for private use (Para. 1). These words evoke racial discrimination among different populations in the US, including the likelihood of unmasking some social injustices. Many researchers favor the legalization of marijuana use. Most of them claim that the benefits of the ban outweigh the negative effects.
The future is likely to have few nations that still have marijuana as an illegal drug. The effects include reduced number of convictions that are based on the drug. In conclusion, the legalization of marijuana is a social issue that has a number of sides and concerns. The legalization should follow due process that is accompanied by an assessment of the previous effects. Prevention of future discrimination based on the drug should include reconciling the past and present controversial matters. Individuals who were previously involved in the marijuana business should be adequately compensated if legalization occurs.
Reference List
Anderson, D., Rees, I., & Sabia, J. (2014). Medical Marijuana Laws and Suicides by Gender and Age. American Journal Of Public Health, 104(3), e1-e8. Web.
Carter, J. (1977). Drug Abuse Message to the Congress. Web.
Grinspoon, L. (2013). 40 Years of Drug War Failure Represented in a Single Chart. Web.
Hartman, L. (2013). Legalized Marijuana and the Workplace: Preparing for the Trend. Employee Relations Law Journal, 38(4), 72-75. Web.
Jones, A. (2006). While Marijuana Kills no One. Web.
Mello, J. (2013). Employment and Public Policy Issues Surrounding Medical Marijuana in the Workplace. Journal Of Business Ethics, 117(3), 659-666. Web.
Mills, D. (2013). There are some causes, we admit, we dont understand, and legalizing marijuana for general (as opposed to medical) use is one of them. First Things: A Monthly Journal Of Religion And Public Life, 2(229), 65. Web.
The use and distribution of marijuana is controversial issue in many countries around the world. The attitude towards this culture can be very different, even within the same state. For example, in the United States, some states allow the use of marijuana, but federal law prohibits it. Thus, a person should be conscientious about the totality of legislative measures concerning this plant. The purpose of this essay is to examine the adverse effects of taking cannabis while on probation.
First of all, its worth noting that smoking marijuana is associated with many possible negative health effects. Despite the initial euphoric state, panic attacks, confusion and anxiety are common. Besides, hallucinations and tremors may appear, and the development of tachycardia and psychosis is possible (Volkow et al., 2016). These effects should be taken into account when thinking about the potential use of this drug. From the laws point of view, it is necessary to make sure that the substance is legal. A person under probation, whatever the reason, must have law-abiding behavior ( Consequences of smoking legalized marijuana, n.d.). The use of marijuana in a place where it is banned can face severe administrative and even criminal liability. Thus, the first step is to follow the laws of the country or a particular state.
However, even if marijuana is authorized in a given territory, extreme caution must be exercised with the plant while on trial. Firstly, this periods conditions may regulate the usage of drugs, especially if such a punishment was imposed in connection with similar cases of use ( Consequences of smoking legalized marijuana, n.d.). Secondly, even if the smoking of marijuana is not directly prohibited and permitted by law, the effects of taking the drug can lead to inappropriate behavior. In extreme cases, actions committed in a state of passion may serve as reasons for strengthening the punishment.
Thus, while on probation, one should refrain from using marijuana. It can become a reason for strengthening the probation due to both a general inconsistency with the concept of good behavior and the likelihood of committing certain offenses in a state of passion. Therefore, narcotic substances should not be combined with probationary periods, even if they are legalized.
Volkow, N. D., Swanson, J. M., Evins, A. E., DeLisi, L. E., Meier, M. H., Gonzalez, R.,& & Baler, R. (2016). Effects of cannabis use on human behavior, including cognition, motivation, and psychosis: a review. JAMA psychiatry, 73(3), 292-297.
Marijuana policy changes over the last few decades across many states point to greater societal awareness of this drugs decriminalization process and medical use. However, despite the intentions to create a solid understanding of legalization, there are still many factors driving the prohibitionist approach to the cannabis issue, at least at the federal level. Marijuana or cannabis is the official name of a psychoactive drug that is derived from hemp.
Legalization is the removal of criminal penalties for possessing, smoking, and selling recreational or medical marijuana. Historically, this drug, along with cocaine, heroin, and opium, was prescribed for pain, rheumatism, and motion sickness, but following the enactment of the Controlled Substances Act, it was designated as a controlled substance at the federal level. However, some states, including Oregon and Washington, have moved to legalize cannabis for therapeutic or recreational use in recent decades.
Many researchers and public organizations supporting its prohibition cite many adverse effects, including crime rate surges, fatal car accidents, and health issues, especially for high-risk users such as adolescents. Due to the lack of a coherent national policy, strong legalization debate claims have emerged, with agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or political parties analyzing and giving different perspectives on this issue. Evaluating their claims and research findings can inform further policy reform. This paper aims at evaluating arguments and counterarguments to marijuana legalization and scientific and anecdotal evidence supporting both claims.
Arguments and Counterarguments
Pro-cannabis groups support marijuana legalization, and they have gained traction as demonstrated by state-level policies and public opinion polls. The main argument for the widespread legalization of cannabis is that it helps treat specified serious conditions, especially when symptoms do not respond to other treatments. Beneficial cannabinoids or their derivatives, such as cannabidiol, have been shown to be safe, effective, and inexpensive therapies for chronic pain and neurodegenerative disorders compared to other agents (Bridgeman & Abazia, 2017). Thus, proponents support a legal prescription of medicinal cannabis therapy for specific conditions.
In light of the anecdotal evidence, pro-cannabis groups further argue that marijuana treatment can ameliorate severe disease symptoms. Specifically, improved outcomes for patients with severe epilepsy, sclerosis, and cancer chemotherapy side effects can be achieved from marijuana prescriptions (Denham, 2019). The increasing acceptance of cannabis use for therapeutic purposes across the nation is another basis for pro-arguments. Opinion polls have revealed that about 90% of the people support legalizing marijuana for medical use (Denham, 2019). Further, many states that initially decriminalized medicinal cannabis have already officially legalized it through policy and ballot initiatives.
Those that have allowed legal access to prescription marijuana include Colorado, California, Nevada, Maine, and Alaska, and 47 of the 50 states consider its medical derivatives (Zvonarev et al., 2019). The reduced legal risks suggest greater social acceptance of medical marijuana.
Another argument is that the federal prohibition has prevented the establishment of clear guidelines for legal access to medical cannabis. As such, legalization should respect equal access to effective treatment, including hemp-based medicines, by those who need it (Pacula & Smart, 2017). Well-designed regulations will enhance the safe use of these products, reduce black market activity, and allow legal availability of cannabis for medicine and science, including drug development and clinical research. They will also ensure more control of the medical-cannabis system, sealing gaps that promote recreational use.
The main counterarguments to legalization are conservative and stem from concerns that the legal availability of cannabis would raise dependence and have adverse health effects. Opponents argue that marijuana use has negative health consequences, including impaired cognitive functioning and dependence after long-term heavy use (Bridgeman & Abazia, 2017). Their main argument is that cannabis is a soft drug as it includes a psychoactive agent, tetrahydrocannabinol (Pacula & Smart, 2017). They also worry that legalization will promote a transition to heavier drugs, such as heroin. Once legalized, marijuana would be likely advertised like alcohol or tobacco to serve a segment of heavy users. The opponents are also concerned that profit-maximizing cannabis companies can portray it as an object of desire to create a market of heavy users.
Evaluation of Critical Thinking
Strength of Arguments
There are merits of arguments and counterarguments to the legalization of medical cannabis. Proponents generally argue that cannabinoid products have many significant health benefits, including treating symptoms that do not respond to other pharmaceutical agents. A key strength of all these arguments is their appeal to logic or reason, especially the claim that marijuana contains cannabidiol, a cannabinoid with a therapeutic value as an analgesic and appetite stimulant.
The pro-legalization side maintains that medical cannabis has many scientifically proven curative and palliative effects and may help treat Alzheimers, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and other neurodegenerative diseases. It may also be an effective treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, including Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis (Sarvet et al., 2018). Specific applications of medical cannabis have risen in chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, glaucoma, as well as cancer treatment, and nausea after chemotherapy. Therefore, these arguments use logos to support the legalization of marijuana for use in specific medical indications.
On the other hand, counterarguments to legalization use pathos since they involve tactics that appeal to emotions, such as increased availability of cannabis will lead to dependence and adverse health risks for heavy users. However, the plants potential therapeutic merits and application in scientific research are used to prove or refute claims about medicinal marijuana therapy (Bridgeman & Abazia, 2017).
There is a slippery slope logical fallacy in the opposing arguments, especially on the claim that the legal availability of this drug is a shift from freedom of choice to a permissive environment that will have adverse health and social outcomes. The argument that marijuana can be the gateway to abuse of harder drugs lacks evidence and scientific support. The only defensible strength of this anti-legalization claim is cannabis and tobacco are often used as complements, but their use has no proven impact on opioid-related outcomes.
Weaknesses in Critical Thinking
The arguments around the legalization have some apparent weaknesses and biases. Rhetoric and fallacies are used to support the claims, with three misconceptions dominating this debate. The first one is that most people still believe that marijuana legalization would certainly lead to substance use disorder and other dangerous behavioral changes and health-related problems that are not easy to control. However, according to Zvonarev et al. (2019), marijuana is the third most common drug for treatment in many public and private health care organizations after such dangerous substances as methamphetamine and heroin.
Further, data from Colorado indicate that marijuana is the least harmful drug in terms of patient numbers and risk factors for health problems, compared to alcohol and tobacco. Thus, the view that legalization will lead to poor mental health outcomes is fallacious, as cannabis is not the leading cause of admissions for severe addictions.
On the contrary, consistent with the pro-legalization claims, scientific findings suggest that medical cannabis has significant health benefits. Over 85% of patient-reported qualifying conditions based on cannabis are associated with therapeutic efficacy and pain relief, behavioral control, and mood improvement has been observed in patients (Denham, 2019). Another rhetoric or fallacy related to the legalization issue is that the level of education determines peoples attitudes toward marijuana and the necessity of its decriminalization. As such, the more people know, the less they want to support these ideas.
On the contrary, broader social acceptance is likely to result from increased awareness of marijuana products and their potency. Opinion polls have revealed that about 90% of Americans support legalizing marijuana for medical use (Denham, 2019). There is also an opinion that as soon as cannabis is legalized, other illegal drugs would be offered for evaluation. This scenario would lead to many public health organizations, human rights communities, and individual researchers initiating new debates on these illicit substances.
Quality of Evidence
Although scientific literature associates cannabis use with chronic health risks, especially for heavy users, the causal relationship is largely weak and anecdotal. The evidence is inadequate to determine the degree to which it is causally linked to dependence, cognitive impairment, or psychotic symptoms (Bridgeman & Abazia, 2017). Indeed, some studies have found adverse effects associated with cannabis use, but they have limitations. Notably, it is difficult to establish if marijuana consumption alone causes adverse outcomes, and the specific levels that cause impairment are poorly understood.
To date, research findings have been based on observational data to inform generalizations about the safety and health consequences inductive reasoning. Therefore, it is difficult to conclude that associations identified in the literature reflect are causal. Further, the evidence that legalizing marijuana would increase alcohol abuse is inconclusive since the two drugs are not complements (Bridgeman & Abazia, 2017). Policymakers acknowledge the medical benefits of legal cannabis use. Suggestive evidence medical marijuana can improve patient outcomes, but more research is needed to establish dose-response relationships for safe administration.
Conclusion
Marijuana legalization is a matter of time because of increasing awareness of its benefits for relieving chronic pain, controlling seizures, and improving patients quality of life. Although negative and positive medical marijuana-related outcomes have some support in the literature, it is not clear if the benefits outweigh the harms. My position is that the focus should be on the net gain or loss for society. Marijuana legalization benefits, especially medical use, may easily outweigh its harmful effects, which are difficult to quantify under the current systems. From the analysis, more data on dosage and consumption levels are needed to help ascertain or refute the causal links with adverse outcomes.
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Zvonarev, V., Fatuki, T. A., & Tregubenko, P. (2019). The public health concerns of marijuana legalization: An overview of current trends. Cureus, 11(9). Web.
