Research Essay on Legalization of Marijuana
Legalization of Marijuana: Risky or Beneficial?
Tammy Russ
COM/156
January 15, 2012
Dierdre McKee
Legalization of Marijuana A random telephone poll conducted by CBS News in October 2011 revealed that 77% of those polled believe that doctors should be allowed to prescribe marijuana for serious illnesses. This compares to 65% just one year prior (ProCon.org, 2011). Popular opinion that marijuana should be legalized for medicinal purposes is shifting as the positive aspects of enacting laws allowing its use come to the public’s attention. Illegal importation of drugs into the United States is a multi-billion dollar industry with all of the profits going to criminal drug dealers. The black market for marijuana would be eliminated if marijuana were legalized as well as the expense of waging war on this drug (legalize.org, 2005). Serious illness related to or stemming from marijuana use is negligible compared to its legal counterparts, alcohol and tobacco. “What would happen if marijuana was legalized? Would everybody become a pothead … This legalization would inevitably add a new and powerful industry to our draining economy” (cultureshockkk.com, 2011). Legalization of marijuana can have a positive affect on the economy without negatively impacting acceptable social values and behavior. Today, cannabis, commonly known as marijuana, is widely used as a recreational drug for the purpose of getting high, or becoming intoxicated. The medicinal qualities are widely debated, as is the legislation backing the legalization of its use. According to MarijuanaToday.com, it is believed that marijuana has been used long before recorded history. It was cultivated in China as long ago as 4000 B.C. Five main uses have been discovered which include use of hempen fibers, use of oil from the seeds, use of seeds for food, and use as a medicine and as a narcotic. The first signs of marijuana in North America date back to the 1600s. In the 1800s, marijuana
Tammy Russ
COM/156
January 15, 2012
Dierdre McKee
Legalization of Marijuana A random telephone poll conducted by CBS News in October 2011 revealed that 77% of those polled believe that doctors should be allowed to prescribe marijuana for serious illnesses. This compares to 65% just one year prior (ProCon.org, 2011). Popular opinion that marijuana should be legalized for medicinal purposes is shifting as the positive aspects of enacting laws allowing its use come to the public’s attention. Illegal importation of drugs into the United States is a multi-billion dollar industry with all of the profits going to criminal drug dealers. The black market for marijuana would be eliminated if marijuana were legalized as well as the expense of waging war on this drug (legalize.org, 2005). Serious illness related to or stemming from marijuana use is negligible compared to its legal counterparts, alcohol and tobacco. “What would happen if marijuana was legalized? Would everybody become a pothead … This legalization would inevitably add a new and powerful industry to our draining economy” (cultureshockkk.com, 2011). Legalization of marijuana can have a positive affect on the economy without negatively impacting acceptable social values and behavior. Today, cannabis, commonly known as marijuana, is widely used as a recreational drug for the purpose of getting high, or becoming intoxicated. The medicinal qualities are widely debated, as is the legislation backing the legalization of its use. According to MarijuanaToday.com, it is believed that marijuana has been used long before recorded history. It was cultivated in China as long ago as 4000 B.C. Five main uses have been discovered which include use of hempen fibers, use of oil from the seeds, use of seeds for food, and use as a medicine and as a narcotic. The first signs of marijuana in North America date back to the 1600s. In the 1800s, marijuana
References: Anonymous, A. (2010, May). Legalizing medical marijuana: Are we crossing the line. Philadelphia City Paper, X(1301), 22. Culture Shockkk. (2010). The social effects of legalizing marijuana. Retrieved from http://www.cultureshockkk.com/.../article--effects-of-legalizing-marijuana.html Goldberg, R Hall & Schiefelbein, J. (2011, March). The political economy of medical marijuana laws. International Atlantic Economic Society, 2011(39), 197-198. doi:10.1007/s11293-011-9266-2 Klein, J Legalize.org. (2005). The economic benefits of a legal, regulated marijuana industry. Retrieved from http://www.legalize.org/the-economic-benefits-of-a-legal-regulated-marijuana-industry/ MarijuanaToday.com Messerli, J. (2011, August). Should marijuana be legalized under any circumstances? Retrieved from http://www.balancedpolitics.org/marijuana_legalization.htm Nadelmann, E Newport, F. (2011, October). Record-high 50% of Americans favor legalizing marijuana use. Gallup Poll News Service. Retrieved from http://www.gallup.com/poll/150149/record-high-americans-favor-legalizing-marijuana.aspx. NFIA launches campaign to temper marijuana legalization. (2010, November 15). Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly, 22 (44). doi:10.1002/adaw ProCon.org ProCon.org. (2011, August). Historical timeline: History of marijuana as medicine - 2737 B.C. to 2011. Retrieved from http://www.medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000143 ProCon.org ProCon.org. (2011, August). Top 10 pros and cons: Should marijuana be a medical option. Retrieved from http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000141 ProCon.org