Educating America about Legalization of Marijuana Essays

Educating America about Legalization of Marijuana Over 3000,000 people a year are arrested because of it in our country. Its recreational usage boomed in the 1960s and by the 1980s one half of all college students had tried it. Once a simple plant, cannabis satria, or marijuana, has become one of the most controversial topics of the 20th century. Although illegal for some time now in the United States, we know of its widespread availability and usage. Once a huge threat to society, it is now being overlooked as we turn to the seemingly more serious problems of cocaine and heroin. But should we be taking a second look at it, cracking down on enforcement and trying as hard as possible to rid our country of this drug? Well the†¦show more content†¦It wasnt until the mid-nineteenth century that western doctors began prescribing it to their patients, and soon it could even be bought in drug stores. It was commonly used in the U.S. to treat asthma, epilepsy, dysmemarrhea, gonorrhea, and migraines, being compared to opium in strength but much kinder on the body. The use of marijuana declined with the development of aspirin and barbiturates, which were much more dependable. The belief that Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. This new law to discourage recreational smoking required anyone purchasing the drug for certain medical purposes to pay a tax of one dollar per ounce, while those inclined to use it for other purposes paid one hundred dollars per ounce. In 1970 Congress passed the Controlled Substances Act, assigning psychoactive drugs to five schedules. Cannabis came under schedule 1, the most restrictive. Drugs outlined under schedule 1 were said to have no medical use, a high potential fo r abuse and no safe uses. In 1978 New Mexico enacted the first law to make it legal for medical use, and by 1994, 36 other states followed. Cannabis was not recognized as a medicine by the federal government , and in order to dispense it, states had to conduct special research and receive FDA approval. Because this was so hard to do, only 10 states actually established programs in which cannabis was used as a medicine. Patients had to complete extensive paperwork in order to getShow MoreRelatedShould Marijuana Be Legalized?1082 Words   |  5 PagesLegalization of Marijuana Marijuana has always been a major topic on War on Drugs, either to let it stay illegal or to decide whether to legalize it. Marijuana can give off deadly or fatal actions that could to harm toward the user or those around the user. While also marijuana can be a help to the economic problems that America faces today. The Hawaii State Government should legalize marijuana because it is a non-addictive substance, it has the potential to increase tax revenue, and there are medicalRead MoreThe Green Need For The Fight For Marijuana Reform1425 Words   |  6 Pagessizeable tax revenues from legalizing marijuana. The fight for marijuana reform has been an ongoing battle, and every time this matter is argued, those voting against marijuana have triumphed. A report on PBS.org titled â€Å"Busted – America’s war of Marijuana† states that since 1937 attempts to criminalize marijuana began to emerge, starting with the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. This act required an excise t ax to be paid in order to have legal possession of marijuana. Eventually, this act was replaced byRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?2278 Words   |  10 Pages The debate over legalization of marijuana for recreational use is an issue that has polarized many Americans. On one hand of the spectrum are the marijuana advocates that campaign for the government to lift the ban on the drug, citing beneficial uses for it for the economy and for medicine. On the other side are people who believe that marijuana legalization would serve as an addictive gateway drug for many people and would pose health hazards for people that uses it recreationally. My stance onRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?1664 Words   |  7 Pages The Jamestown Settlers where the ones who first brought the Marijuana plant over to North America in 1611. The plant is also commonly known as Hemp to people when it was first introduced. Through the Colonial period in North America hemp fiber was a very important export to this country. In 1762 Virginia would award rewards for those who would cultivate and manufacture the hemp plant. For those who would refuse to produce the hemp plant, faced consequences and penalties. George Washington and ThomasRead MoreUnited States Drug Policy1302 Words   |  6 PagesThe issue of legalizing drugs, especially marijuana, is one that is debated all the time. In fact, in 1995, a survey was conducted on the most important policy issues and eighty five percent of the country placed drugs at the top of the list (Falco 1996). Many states are actually beginning to decriminalize, and even legalize, marijuana use for medical perposes. In fact, two states, Washington and Colorado, have legalized the recreational use of marijuana for anybody over the age of twenty-one sinceRead MoreEnglish Comp Rough Draft1142 Words   |  5 PagesAnthony Grimes Ashford University ENG122-English Composition II Instructor Mitchell November 26, 2012 Substance abuse and consumption have become an epidemic in America. The use of drugs results in countless drug-related deaths and causes states to spend billions of dollars to combat drug trafficking. Drugs are shipped in by sea, air, automobile, and even smuggled in by person. These drugs are supplied by drug cartels. These criminal organizations where formed to promote, control, produceRead MoreHow Will Marijuana Legalization Affect Public Health?2856 Words   |  12 PagesGrant Schnell Senior English 4.20.2015 How will Marijuana legalization affect public health? It is a very exciting time to be a pothead in America. With legalization spreading across the US many are starting to get involved in the expanding industry that is here to stay. So how will marijuana affect public health? In Oregon the distribution of the tax revenue is going to be funded into schools, mental health services, State Police and Oregon Health Authority. Last year Colorado brought in $60Read MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?1858 Words   |  8 PagesMarijuana is a very significant and controversial issue in today’s society. Derogatory claims have been made about marijuana, otherwise known as cannabis or hemp. Marijuana arrived in North America with Christopher Columbus around 1492 A.D. The leafy flowering hemp plant, known as marijuana, was used for industrial goods such as clothing, ropes, and sails (Tudor). Distinguishing between marijuana and hemp has always been confusing. Plants containing less than one percent THC are called hemp, whichRead MoreThe Mil lennial Marijuana Movement : When Millennials Rule : The Reshaping Of America Essay2238 Words   |  9 PagesThe Millennial Marijuana Movement When Millennials Rule: The Reshaping of America, is a book by David and Jack Cahn that goes in depth on pressing issues in America such as gun control, abortion, and even marijuana. They touch on college debt as well as environmental protection and equality. They are brilliant young men that do a great job of pointing out the millennial standpoint on these various views and do well describing what millennials can do about these issues. A key point in this book isRead MoreAmerica Is Under Attack By Drugs1343 Words   |  6 PagesKevin Fenchel Professor Sheridan English 151 11/6/14 America Is Under Attack by Drugs As a nation we face a serious enemy that is not on foreign soil but here at home. The drug problem in this country has truly affected many lives and families. This enemy has no limits and affects our domestic tranquility. All drugs should not be legalized because they have the ability to impair judgment and do much bodily harm. Drugs have been a dark shadow lingering over our country for many years. In recent years