It's Just a Plant Essay

Submitted By skasumovic
Words: 980
Pages: 4
Open Document
Semir Kasumovic
Jayme Cook
ENG101: Argumentation (Persuasive) Essay (974)
08 April 2013
It’s Just a Plant “Two of my favorite things are sitting on my front porch smoking a pipe of sweet hemp, and playing my Hohner harmonica” said U.S. president Abraham Lincoln. There is much to be said about America’s greatest president, but many americans say marijuana is not the evil drug many others we’re raised to believe. The U.S. should legalize marijuana to increase tax revenue, provide medical provisions to those in need, and develop hemp as a valuable and diverse agricultural crop. First, what is marijuana? Formally, it is a species of flowering plants with two types, Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica. The primary psychoactive compound is (Delta-1-tetrahydrocannabinol) or, THC for short. When THC enters the bloodstream the user almost immediately feels a strong euphoric sensation, commonly referred to as the “high”. Marijuana use dates back to approximately 2700 B.C. in China, where it was used for ailments (wikipedia.com). However, in the U.S., marijuana is classified as a “Schedule I Controlled Substance”, along with cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin to name a few. With failed prohibition costs exceeding billions of dollars annually, why has the U.S. not legalized marijuana? The U.S. should legalize marijuana as it will provide increased tax revenue to the economy. According to Harvard Economist Jeffrey Miron, “legalizing marijuana would save $7.7 billion per year in government expenditure on enforcement, in addition to generating $2.4 billion annually if taxed like most consumer goods, or $6 billion per year if taxed similarly to alcohol and tobacco.” The prohibition of marijuana is proof that one of the fights in the war on drugs has failed miserably. On the other side of the spectrum, some opponents of marijuana legalization might argue that the tax revenue would be offset by higher social costs. For example, The Federal Government claims “Federal excise taxes collected on alcohol in 2007 totaled around $9 Billion; states collected around $5.5 Billion. Combined, these amounts are less than ten percent of the estimated $185 Billion in alcohol-related costs to health care, criminal justice, and the workplace in lost productivity”(whitehouse.gov). Comparing marijuana with alcohol and tobacco is completely irrelevant to the marijuana legalization debate, therefore it is a false analogy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol and tobacco use combined results in about 519,000 deaths in the U.S. annually from illnesses and fatal accidents. By contrast, there are no concrete studies linking marijuana use to serious health effects thus far. Many health officials are concerned with the harmful carcinogens marijuana smoke contains when combusted. As a result, many users are turning to alternative delivery methods, such as oral and vapor forms which completely eliminate the carcinogen risk. Also, marijuana is incapable of causing a fatal overdose, and the effects are inversely associated with aggression and damage. The U.S. should not only legalize marijuana due to increased tax revenue, but for the medical provisions to those in need. “Marijuana is another analgesic that has been around for many centuries. Cannabis is currently and rather recently illegal in many countries including the United States. Still, probably about 10-20 percent of patients admit to trying marijuana as a pain reliever for their chronic pain. Most of them report significant pain relief. Some comment that it is their most effective pain reliever” (Sams 36). Many patients with conditions like HIV, cancer, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, severe migraines, nausea and lack of appetite use marijuana as treatment. Unfortunately, only 19 states recognize marijuana as an alternative to conventional medicine. That means patients who live in states where it is illegal, must resort to buying their medicine from “street
Show More

Related Documents: It's Just a Plant Essay

Biome: Tropical Rainforests Essay

animals. It’s extremely surprising that even though the rainforests cover such a miniscule amount of land mass, they are still what you would consider “home” to the largest number of plant and animal species. Scientists believe that the tropical rainforests possibly hold up to 90 percent of the plant and animal species on earth today. About half of the world's animal species live in all layers of the rainforest. It’s been estimated that there are more than 50 million different kinds of just insects…

Words 1343 - Pages 6

Cloning: Species and genetically Identical Copy Essay

Cloning means making an exact genetically identical copy of an organism. It's basically just another term for asexual reproduction. Cloning can also be done artifically by humans. Benefits of cloning The study of animal clones could lead to greater understanding of the development of the embryo, and of ageing and age related disorders Cloning could be used to help preserve endangered species. Concernes It's possible that cloned animals might not be as healthy as normal ones, e.g Dolly the sheep…

Words 373 - Pages 2

Personal Narrative Fiction

There once was an old witch that was always messing with magic and it’s mystical wonders, and one day she decided that she was going to try to cast a spell on a living thing for the first time. But not a human. No no. She didn’t want to have that much pressure on her, and besides. Who would agree to let an old witch from the middle of the woods cast a spell on them? Anyway. She was out scouring the forest floor for something of life that would be the perfect subject for her testing of magic. She…

Words 1293 - Pages 6

A Study Of The Rain Forest

1. I never really been in the wilderness alone because I’m afraid of what might be out there, but if I just had to go into the wilderness alone I would like to go to a rain forest. 2. I’m in my backyard for this observation; there are a couple of trees around, but not many. Lots of rocks, dirt and gravel some grass due to our backyard being designed with grass, concrete and gravel. The typical temperature for this area this time of year is high 60’s in the day time sometime dropping down to…

Words 775 - Pages 4

The Amazon Rainforest

which is why its at the top of my list. I'm going to explain to you why the amazon is such a breathtaking experience to be in. There are ten million species in the amazon which is why it's so unique. The rare animals of the Amazon amazes anyone one who visits. The same thing is with the many different types of plants like the strange but extravagant flowers to the trees that people explain to be “skyscrapers.” The beauty of the rainforest is what is so astonishing. The numerous amount of uncommonly…

Words 277 - Pages 2

Analysis Of The Current Combined Sewer Overflow Abatement System

treated water pumping stations. 2. Employees have to go through a Waste Water Certification program. When wastewater treatment plants are properly operated, public health and the state's waters are protected. This certification program is working to help ensure that operators meet the established requirements and are competent to operate and maintain wastewater treatment plants. Exams also have to be taken. 3. As part of the current Combined Sewer Overflow Abatement Program implemented in the last decade…

Words 416 - Pages 2

Jolly's And Lavaughn Analysis

The lemon plant symbolizes hope and believing within both Jolly’s and LaVaughn life. In the exposition, the seeds are planted in the lemon plant and you see the kids waiting for the plant to grow. LaVaughn says, I see / just an outline / against the sooty window / this little kid sitting beside an empty pot of dirt / and I guess he’s concentrating on praying” (Wolff 25). Just like the boy praying, the lemon plant supports that if you just believe something good will happen, good things might happen…

Words 373 - Pages 2

Essay about Goals of the Human Genome Project

Lexus Ries Biology #1. The relationship between chromosomes and genes is: · A gene is a short section of DNA, every strand of DNA has it's own genetic code which is a bunch of genes put together to form a genetic code. And the chromosomes are made from long DNA molecules. So when the genes are all together they form a chromosome. The relationship between genes and DNA molecules is: · A gene is a short section of DNA. The genes that form the DNA make up a certain genetic code, which determines…

Words 883 - Pages 4

Essay on Gmo Foods

many disadvantage. “1) Corn was one of humankind’s earliest attempts to genetically modify a crop plant. In the past genetically modifying corn could only be done through selective breeding. If you wanted to breed corn that was resistant to a certain disease then you would plant corn and see how each plant was affected by the disease. You would keep seeds from the plants that did well and plant them the next year. As the years passed you would have a strain of corn that was highly resistant to…

Words 432 - Pages 2

Essay on Satire: Suicide and Natural Plant

seems to be an even bigger issue America faces; Marijuana. Each year, Marijuana takes the innocent lives of zero people. This staggering number has stayed mainly consistent for the past 2000 years, although some researchers believe that this natural plant has been around since 6000 BC. The effects of marijuana are obvious, and have been illegal in the United States since the 1930’s. The negative effects of marijuana are hunger, happiness and sleepiness. Each year, 14,000 deaths are direct results…

Words 506 - Pages 3