The Usage of Marijuana and the Legalization Debate
The usage of marijuana has created a heated debate on a national stage. Some governments have seen fit to legalize the drug as a result of this. Considering that marijuana is one of the substances with psychoactive effects that is most commonly abused worldwide. Despite being prohibited in some nations, cannabis use is rising. But there has been a disconnect between the available research on cannabis and the prevalent myths. Some people hold that view because it is legal in some places. The legalization of marijuana has been a topic of discussion in both the United States and throughout the entire globe, with some in favor and others opposed. Some of the states are debating and trying hard to make sure that the legalization does not happen such as Texas. The paper explores on the use marijuana by supporting its legalization based on various reasons.
Annotated Bibliography
YouTube. (2017). Weed Documentary (2016) - High School: Marijuana in an American Public High School. [Online] retrieved at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BApEKGUpcXs [Accessed 2 Mar. 2017].
The YouTube documentary analyzes the usage of marijuana in a public high school while some of the staff member might be considering this as a better effect the school performance does not prove such stats. The problem with that issues is that it is found to be taken by children who are not legalized to smoke such harmful drugs. The problem with such a society can be seen to emanate from the law system in state. It is highly important that the legalization of marijuana should not be considered in Texas and the states that have legalized marijuana should look at the negative aspects of the drug.
Lauter, David. "Marijuana Legalization Wins Majority Support in Poll." Latimes, 4 Apr. 2013,articles.latimes.com/2013/apr/04/news/la-pn-marijuana-legalization-majority-support-20130404.
The Los Angeles Times newspaper article was written by David Lauter in 2013 illustrating how Americans support the legalization of cannabis. According to David, the majority of people in the United States population prop up the use of marijuana. Based on the new poll conducted, the opinion change was driven by the massive shift in how the baby boom age groups feel regarding the drug of their young times. The survey conducted by the Pew Study Center shows that 45 to 52 percent of Americans support legalization of cannabis which marks the first time after above four decades of Pew’s polling that most of the people have chosen that position.
The majority of people in America do not view marijuana as the gateway to more hazardous drugs as well as immorality. According to the article, a margin of between 23 to 72 percent respondents illustrated that the central administration’s efforts against marijuana cost more than their merit. Besides, the author states that the majority of respondents have tasted marijuana hence they know its effects which show that the government must make it legal. The change in the legalization decision among American is an indicator of how people have adjusted their understanding about cannabis. Moreover, the article indicates that making marijuana illegal does not help or stop people from utilizing it. Instead, the government should listen to the majority and make it legal to reduce expenses associated with legal enforcements.
Volkow, Nora D., et al. "Adverse health effects of marijuana use." New England Journal of Medicine 370.23 (2014): 2219-2227
The journal dissects on health issues surrounding marijuana legalization. Many people consider the notion that marijuana legalization for recreational and medicinal purposes is harmless. However, the journal aims at coming out clear with valid scientific evidence that supports its ban due to the detrimental health consequences that the victims are exposed.
Touch, Get In, and Cannabis Stocks. "The Science of Cannabis Documentary."
The documentary is mainly for educational and activists purposes. It brings into light numerous aspects relating to marijuana. Statistics of its usage, health effects and ways to deal with the drug are broadly covered. It’s insightful as it provides adequate and detailed information that leaves the viewers as the final decision makers on the drug and its impact to society.
Saaty, Thomas L. "A marijuana legalization model using benefits, opportunities, costs and risks (BOCR) analysis." International Journal of Strategic Decision Sciences (IJSDS) 6.2 (2015): 1-11.
For a long period of time, marijuana has been viewed as an illegal substance and evil in the society. Contrary to that, legalization of the drug in various states has proved otherwise. In this scholarly document, it seeks to analyze marijuana legalization on a different model. Areas such as benefits, opportunities, costs and risks are carefully examined that would form a framework for policy makers to make conclusive decisions.
Fox, Steve, Paul Armentano, and Mason Tvert. Marijuana Is Safer: So Why Are We Driving People to Drink? White River Junction: Chelsea Green Publishing, 2013.
The authors revisit the message on the safety of marijuana in relation to the states that have implemented the legalization. The examination is achieved by a comparison of marijuana to alcohol and the laws and practices steering people to alcohol. Myths on marijuana propagated by the government are debunked after an insightful analysis which later on points to the need of marijuana policy reform.
Plunderbund, and David DeWitt. “Looking At Ohio’s Four Proposals To Legalize Marijuana.” Plunderbund.com (2015): 33. Print.
The book obtains a comparison on the marijuana legalization process with comparison to Ohio. Policies that are in place to fulfil the proposals are examined and determined whether they are viable and sustainable to mandate implementation of the action. It creates awareness on the matter and seeks to shed in more light.
Argumentative Essay
According to Pew’s results regarding the shift of the majority towards the legalization of hemp, the world has received the message and illustrates that cannabis should be made legal since people who use it have spoken. The United Nations facts illustrate that about 3.8 percent of the globe’s population utilize marijuana and the figure is continuously augmenting (Plunderbund and DeWitt 23). There have been several debates regarding making the use of weed legal with both sides giving different arguments and reasons. However, the use of marijuana should be made legal since there are various facts associated with its use and ban including social costs, racism, medical effects, happiness and job creation.
Marijuana has been an issue that has been considered to be implicated with racist marks, hence, its legalization will be a way of fighting racism. In Texas the police tend to arrest the African Americans more to claims of being involved in the trafficking, consumption and selling of marijuana. The history of weed criminalization illustrates that it has been racist since its outset in the 1930s (Saaty 10). The efforts to make hemp illegal were rooted in discrimination against African Americans and Mexican immigrants who were associated with the use of marijuana at the moment. (Fox, Armentano, and Tvert 14). Making the use of cannabis lawful would end racism since the majority of races who are linked with its use will feel appreciated and recognized in the United States.
The theme about marijuana being a destructive drug has dominated for a long time hence making individuals have trouble in accepting the plant’s healing effects. Medical judgments on cannabis have changed dramatically for the last two decades since by 2014, laws were passed to allow people living with epilepsy to utilize strains of marijuana high in cannabidiol (Lauter). Furthermore, the plant has shown to alleviate soreness from AIDS and queasiness from chemotherapy. Despite the increasing number of countries with the medical law, hemp is still and risky to obtain for thousands of individuals who need its therapeutic effects. Texas on the other hand is yet to follow what some of these countries are doing (Fox, Steve, Paul, and Mason). If the country loosens the cannabis restrictions it would assist millions of people in the world who have epilepsy and other ailments that require the plant’s medicinal effects.
Besides, making the use of weed legal creates jobs and saves money. Regulating and legalizing cannabis would bring one of the country’s largest cash crops meaning Texas would be a crucial beneficiary it would enhance better economic and jobs opportunities in the recognized economy rather than in the illegal market (Lauter). Limited law enforcement resources will be used in a better means to ensure that the community safe while decreasing court and corrections costs. Moreover, the local and federal administrations will acquire significant new sources of revenue from controlling the marijuana market. Marijuana is a profitable and large industry that its validation would boost the nation economy. For instance, Colorado has raised more than 73.5 million dollars in selling cannabis and weed related product in the last few years such success can also be related to Texas if marijuana is made legal (Lauter). Job opportunities and growth of the economy is what the world needs to keep young adults and children away from drugs that are considered to be dangerous.
It is evident that once marijuana is made lawful in Texas policy makers shall ensure that consumer safety is promoted. If the cannabis use is legalized, testing of its products will become a standard requirement for lawful hemp markets. Furthermore, consumers will be better informed regarding the cannabis utilization since all products will have precautions and correct doses. According to the study conducted by the Texas Competitiveness Institute in 2012, the legalization of weed would get the market benefits away from drug cartels (Plunderbund and DeWitt 21). Consumers will have the correct product in the market hence reducing the health complications and side effects that are associated with the illegal market of cannabis.
The diagnoses of stress in the United States is increasing in every generation since above 15 million of adults suffer from some forms of depression hence increasing the rate of suicide every year (Touch, Get In and Cannabis Stocks). In Texas alone legalization of marijuana would help in creating happiness among depressed individuals because they will have fun and joy making them to forget the stressing factor (YouTube 2017). Moreover, teenagers use marijuana during parties which lead to its misuse since it is prohibited. The validation of cannabis will ensure that people enjoy its happiness in peace and without the fear of being arrested. Furthermore, races that are linked with the high use of hemp will be happy since there will be no more harassment and searches by police as well as jail sentences.
Weed is less harmful than tobacco or alcohol hence its legalization does not mean it would cause more harm or its use increase. The United States have the history of both alcohol and cannabis restrictions, but their use has not stopped but made violent gangs make tremendous benefits (Fox,Steve, Paul and Mason). Besides, alcohol has biological health effects and can cause alarming impacts on traits than cannabis. However, criminalizing alcohol was discovered that is caused more harm than good which illustrates that hemp is less harmful than the use of alcohol since it is easier to misuse alcohol than weed. Additionally, the planting hemp is easier and environmentally friendly since it can grow in different places and does not require chemicals and fertilizers that cause harm to the surrounding (Fox, Armentano, and Tvert 109).
On other hand, legalizing marijuana in Texas would bring about more problems than benefits. Taking some states that have legalized marijuana it can be seen that they have not changed and rather they are still stuck in more problems than earlier. Legalizing marijuana is bound to bring more problems that shall be a cause for alarm. Texas being a state that has various races would create more racist gaps since the black Americans would be blamed more, but that should be the concern of the residence the government has the mandate to make sure that the non-legalization of weed affects any race. The police should ensure that the drug is not used in the different neighborhoods in Texas rather than legalizing.
Moreover, the legalization of marijuana is opposed since it is believed to damage health, endanger public safety, jeopardize young persons in Texas. (Volkow 2225). Initially, smoking any substance including hemp has adverse and potentially life-threatening impacts on the respiratory wellbeing. Moreover, pot affects individual’s IQ, memory, problems solving skills and judgment thus legalizing its use would be increasing more health issues in the society (Volkow 2220). Furthermore, the public safety will be endangered since it can cause impairment to the user hence increasing the chances of accidents as well as reducing the ability to perform at work. Besides, marijuana use is linked with infertility and impotent among males as well as bad breath smell which can affect the sex life.
In conclusion, the majority of Americans have decided to make cannabis legal which illustrates that they have understood the benefits of weed. Moreover, the use of marijuana should be made legal since it would bring happiness, reduce social costs, save money, create job and economy opportunities as well as ensuring that consumers receive safe products. Making marijuana lawful will ensure that patients who have illnesses that require cannabis medication are assisted since it will be distributed to the whole world via official markets. The money and time utilized to fight hemp will be used for other developmental purposes
Works Cited
Fox, Steve, Paul Armentano, and Mason Tvert. Marijuana Is Safer: So Why Are We Driving People to Drink? White River Junction: Chelsea Green Publishing, 2013.
Lauter, David. "Marijuana Legalization Wins Majority Support in Poll." Latimes, 4 Apr. 2013, articles.latimes.com/2013/apr/04/news/la-pn-marijuana-legalization-majority-support-20130404.
Plunderbund, and David DeWitt. “Looking At Ohio’s Four Proposals To Legalize Marijuana.” Plunderbund.com (2015): 33. Print.
Saaty, Thomas L. "A marijuana legalization model using benefits, opportunities, costs and risks (BOCR) analysis." International Journal of Strategic Decision Sciences (IJSDS) 6.2 (2015): 1-11.
Touch, Get In, and Cannabis Stocks. "The Science of Cannabis Documentary."
Volkow, Nora D., Baler, Ruben D., Compton, Wilson M., and Susan R.B. Weiss. "Adverse health effects of marijuana use." New England Journal of Medicine 370.23 (2014): 2219-2227.
YouTube. (2017). Weed Documentary (2016) - High School: Marijuana in an American Public High School. [online] retrieved at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BApEKGUpcXs [Accessed 2 Mar. 2017].
