Essay about Legalization of Marijuana

Submitted By eranbarksdale
Words: 1730
Pages: 7
Open Document
Eran Barksdale
Adam Nemmers
Engl 1301
3 April 2013
Legalization of Marijuana in the United States Marijuana is legal for medical purposes in eighteen states and two of those states have decriminalized it for recreational use. In the state of Colorado any person twenty-one years of age is allowed to possess up to one ounce of marijuana for recreational use. While in Texas being caught with an ounce of marijuana would be a Class A misdemeanor punishable by not more than one year in a county jail and/or a fine of no more than four-thousand dollars. After being caught with marijuana in Texas and receiving two years of probation as well as a hefty fine; I began to wonder how can certain states were going to deal with the growing use of marijuana in the USA. A new survey taken in 2013 revealed that fifty-two percent of Americans are for decriminalization, due to the expensive cost of fighting the illegalities of marijuana. Under federal law marijuana is scheduled a Class One narcotic and contains no medical uses. With states starting to legalize medical uses and even recreational uses, I have researched marijuana from the beginning to the current day to answer the question should marijuana be legalized in the United States? The earliest recorded use of marijuana for medical purposes was recorded in 2900 B.C. Emperor Fu His, who Chinese credit for bringing civilization to China, referenced that “cannabis was very popular medicine that both possessed yin and yang”(ProCon.org). Throughout recorded history the reference to cannabis being used for healing remedies, anesthetics, lowering fever, and even inducing sleep can be found in different countries and religions. In 1611, the Jamestown settlers brought the plant to North America to be used for fibers. They were growing hemp, which is the cannabis plant but planted to produce fibers. In 1619 Virginia awarded bounties for hemp culture and manufacture, and imposed penalties on those who did not produce it (PBS). Hemp was allowed to be traded as legal tender in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland. Hemp was widely used until after the Civil War when imports and domestic materials replaced it. In the late nineteenth century marijuana became popular in many medicinal products and was sold openly in pharmacies. The Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 required labeling of any products containing cannabis in over-the-counter remedies (PBS). In the early 1900’s after the Mexican Revolution, many Mexican immigrants flooded the United States and introduced the recreational use of marijuana. There was an overall fear of these new Spanish speaking immigrants and this became closely associated with marijuana (InfoPlease). This led to marijuana being associated with terrible crimes and the Mexicans who used it. The idea that marijuana had been in North America for a couple hundred years and it wasn’t until immigrants brought it around that It became a problem is something I would of never thought. Shortly after during the Great Depression, with massive unemployment rates, an unstable economy, and increasing public and governmental concern about marijuana, multiple researches were done in which marijuana was linked with crime, violence, and socially unacceptable behaviors usually committed by underclass communities (infoplease). By 1931 twenty-nine states had outlawed marijuana. The campaigns on the early 1930’s depicted marijuana as a powerful, addictive gateway drug that would make you want to try harder drugs such as heroin and cocaine.
To this day some authorities and parents consider it to be a gateway drug. There has not been a documented case of a death caused by marijuana; this is a big difference to the substantial death count of its counterparts. A film produced in 1936 titled “Reefer Madness” portrayed marijuana as evil and led to the ban of any narcotics being used in film. I feel this movie has had a substantial impact on the uses and effects of marijuana which soon led to the
Show More

Related Documents: Essay about Legalization of Marijuana

Legalization Of Marijuana

The Legalization of Cannabis The dawn of the twenty first century has ushered in a new age of optimism and wonder. Despite the proclamations of television, all is not well in our part of the world. Our societies have succumbed to the modern holy war on drugs and more specifically, the war against marijuana. Being fought against our own citizens and citizens abroad, an international effort to eradicate cannabis production and use has undoubtedly failed leaving in its wake social unrest and political…

Words 776 - Pages 4

The Legalization Of Marijuana

Cannabis, otherwise known as, marijuana has been around for centuries; dating back to the B.C. era. Marijuana comes from the Hemp plant which was widely grown by in the 17th century for its abilities to make rope, sails, and clothing out of it. By the 19th century, marijuana started to become a popular ingredient medicinal products and were sold to public pharmacies. The use of marijuana didn’t become recreational until the after the Mexican Revolution of 1910, as many Mexican Immigrants poured into…

Words 1164 - Pages 5

The Legalization Of Marijuana

The legalization of marijuana is a popular topic in America right now, but it is my personal opinion that the cons do indeed outweigh the pros. The issue with the legalization of marijuana is that simply put, marijuana is not harmless. It does negatively affect the brain and certainly distorts a driver’s perception which could inevitably result in an increase of vehicle accidents. If it was legalized, usage would of course increase tremendously and it would become increasingly more accessible…

Words 643 - Pages 3

The Legalization Of Marijuana

dark for the fear that it will change your opinion. Marijuana has newfound fame since four states have chosen to legalize it for recreational purposes. This fame has effected the youth in America having them believe that marijuana is harmless. Marijuana is a narcotic and should be treated nothing less then that. Hans Breiter, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine stated, "Marijuana is the ideal compound to screw up everything for a…

Words 1660 - Pages 7

The Legalization Of Marijuana

people but yet is still legal? While marijuana causes less deaths and cures different types of medical problems but is illegal ? It just doesnt make sense. The legalization of marijuana would help our community, it would keep many of people out of jail then the police could actually start arresting the real criminals instead of the people caught with small amounts of marijuana on them. Also it is safer for you than plenty of legal drugs. The legalization of marijuana has been in discussion for many of…

Words 436 - Pages 2

The Legalization Of Marijuana

as all societies declare their own idea of the real world (Erich Goode Marijuana and the Politics of Reality pg. 83). Marijuana, also known as cannabis sativa has been falsely criticized since the beginning of the century. The legalization of marijuana is a controversial subject; however, there are many positive arguments to support the idea. First of all, it is expensive to keep marijuana illegal. Also marijuana has been proven to be less likely to create crime, it can be used as a medicine…

Words 2379 - Pages 10

Marijuana Legalization Essays

Jonathan Goergen Reasons to Legalize Marijuana The criminalization of marijuana has many stories behind it. Some believe that it was made illegal in the early 20th century because it was meant to play off of anti-immigrant sentiments. Considering that Mexican immigrants introduced recreational marijuana use to the American culture. Others believe it was made illegal because it would put the tobacco industries out of business. The media had a large role in making people believe that usage caused…

Words 1741 - Pages 7

Legalization of Marijuana Essay

Legalization of Marijuana There are many arguments to be had—therefore we must weigh the pros and cons of each argument before deciding to fight for a cause. I believe that marijuana should be legalized because there are more positives allowing recreational use than there are negatives. Marijuana is a drug that can be used for medical treatments, it does not have poor effects on human health. I believe that this battle against marijuana should not be fought because victory over the drug and its…

Words 713 - Pages 3

Legalization of Marijuana Essay

2013 Legalization of Marijuana The legalization of marijuana would greatly reduce drug violence in cities, reduce spending by law enforcement, and taxation of marijuana would greatly help the economic system of the United States. Legalization is a large topic of debate in today’s society. America’s overall view of marijuana is pessimistic however, more and more people are beginning to step forward and express their support for legalization. People are becoming more tolerant of marijuana use; a…

Words 1619 - Pages 7

Marijuana Legalization Essays

April 2013 “Marijuana Legalization: Colorado and Washington State Grapple With Implementing New Laws” http://www.policymic.com/articles/22459/marijuana-legalization-colorado-and-washington-state-grapple-with-implementing-new-laws “President Obama’s Marijuana Problem” http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/04/president-obamas-marijuana-problem-2.php Marijuana Legalization in America In November, Colorado and Washington created major ripples in the debate over the legality of the marijuana. Colorado’s…

Words 692 - Pages 3