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Legalizing Marijuana in New York State

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Legalizing Marijuana in New York State
Legalizing Marijuana in New York State
Megan Castner
Composition 1
ENC 1101-12

Currently in New York State, marijuana is illegal. Marijuana is considered an illegal drug by many countries. Over the years there has been a great deal of controversy on whether or not marijuana should be. Growing, smoking, and being in the possession of marijuana for medicinal use, should be legal in the state of New York.
In the State of New York it is illegal to buy, sell, grow, or possess marijuana. In 2002 approximately 57,504 arrests associated with marijuana (“Penalties for marijuana use In New York”). Selling under 2grams of marijuana is a class B misdemeanor (“New York marijuana laws”). The penalty for selling 24g of marijuana in New York State for in currently 1 year in jail and $1,000 fine. However the penalty for selling 25g-4oz is 1-4 years of jail time and a $5,000 fine (“Penalties for marijuana use in New York”).
Possession of 25g or under of marijuana is also class B misdemeanor, meaning no set penalty. However the sentencing judge can determine what consequences the guilty party suffers. Being in possession of 8oz or over is a class E felony(“New York marijuana laws”), could result in prison time equaling less than five years but more than one year(“United States Code”). The penalty for possessing 25g is $100 fine, 2-8 oz is 1 year jail time and a $1,000 fine, 8-16 oz is 1-4 years jail time and $5,000 fine, 16oz-10lbs is 1-15 years jail time and a $5,000 fine (“Penalties for marijuana use in New York”).
The marijuana is not legal to just anyone, its use is for Medicinal purposes only. Marijuana is currently legal in 14 out of the 50 states, medicinal marijuana is legal in the following states: California, New Jersey, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, Colorado, Montana, District Columbia (D.C.), Hawaii, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Alaska, and Washington.
Legalizing Marijuana would help the streets tremendously. There would be little to no fighting


References: 1) Times, High. "The Top Ten Reasons Marijuana Should Be Legal | Drugs AlterNet." Home | AlterNet. Aug.-Sept. 2007. Web. 06 July 2011. . 2) CBS NEWS. "Myth: Policy Change Is Inevitable Pictures - CBS News." Breaking News Headlines: Business, Entertainment & World News - CBS News. Web. 06 July 2011. . 3) NBC NEWS. "Veterans in D.C. May Not Benefit From Medical Marijuana | NBC Washington." NBC Washington DC - Local News, Weather, Traffic, Entertainment, Events, Breaking News | NBC Washington. 1 Nov. 2010. Web. 06 July 2011. . 4) Legalization of Marijuana. Web. 06 July 2011. . 5) "United States Code: Title 18,3559. Sentencing Classification of Offenses | LII / Legal Information Institute." LII | Legal Information Institute at Cornell Law School. Web. 06 July 2011. .
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