Legalize: Cannabis and Marijuana Essay

Submitted By jtwalters
Words: 1770
Pages: 8
Open Document
Jordan Walters

Dr. Carvalho

ENGL 101-049

14 May 2013

Your Opinion on Marijuana Reimagined

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word marijuana? For most people that thought is more than likely; “Those potheads are always getting high” or “Marijuana is an illegal drug and no one should partake in such an activity.” Well, what happens when the citizens living in the United States are challenged to think more abstractly about the topic of marijuana? To not let the terribly misinformed opinions of fellow individuals stand in their way of making their own decision, and to at last realize how beneficial it would be to the United States if marijuana was legalized. In today’s world, we have finally seen some improvements on the process of legalization, as U.S. News reports “For the first time in more than four decades of polling on the issue, a majority of Americans favor legalizing the use of marijuana, while 52 percent were pro-pot legalization, 45 percent of respondents were opposed to legalization” (Nelson n. pag.). The legalization of marijuana could open a new door to medicine, stop the never-ending war on drugs, and help the economy in the United States start thriving once again. Marijuana has been used for medical purposes even before it was outlawed in the United States. The Marijuana Policy Project states, “Prior to 1937, [there were] at least 27 medicines containing marijuana legally available in the United States, and many were made by well-known pharmaceutical firms that still exist today” (“Marijuana Briefing” n. pag.). During the year of 1937, the federal government passed the Marijuana Tax Act, effectively making marijuana an illegal drug in the United States. By the time the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 came about, marijuana had been illegal for over three decades, and was placed in “Schedule I, defining it as having a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision” (“Marijuana Briefing” n. pag.). With today’s discoveries about the benefits marijuana can have, marijuana is clearly misinterpreted as being a Schedule I drug. Medical Marijuana has potential to help with pain and symptoms of a great variety of health problems. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “has not approved Cannabis as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition,” (“Cannabis1 and Cannabinoids2” n. pag.) scientists are still always finding new ways cannabis can help the human body. Marijuana has also been proved to treat diseases ranging from “AIDS, Hepatitis C, Cancer, Glaucoma, Multiple Sclerosis, Epilepsy, and any Chronic Pain” (“Marijuana Briefing” n. pag.). During a recent clinic trial, researchers at the CMRC3 report:
This research allocated participants to smoke cannabis cigarettes containing from 1% to 8% THC by weight (4 to 32 mg THC) or to placebo cannabis cigarettes from which THC had been extracted. Two trials enrolled patients with painful HIV peripheral neuropathy; one consisted of mixed neuropathic pain due to peripheral or central dysfunction of the nervous system. Results consistently indicated that cannabis significantly reduced pain intensity, with patients reporting 34%-40% decrease on cannabis compared to 17-20% on placebo. (Grant n. pag.)
Research has proven that cannabis can be very beneficial to seriously ill people throughout the United States, but when will the appropriate people (government officials) come to the same conclusion? The medical benefits of marijuana are only one positive outlook on legalization. Another pro would be ending the current drug war in the United States. The “War on Drugs” was started by former President Richard Nixon in 1969, with the intention to “consolidate the few current drug laws into a comprehensive statute and to provide meaningful regulation over legitimate sources to prevent diversion into
Show More

Related Documents: Legalize: Cannabis and Marijuana Essay

Legalization: Cannabis and Texas Democratic Party Essay

Policy Paper Texas Govt.2306 Legalization of Cannabis Sativa in Texas Over the recent years there has been a debate about the legalization of Cannabis Sativa in Texas. Its purpose of medical use has become one of the most controversial issues in the United States. The medical use of cannabis has existed in most countries and some governments have allowed treatment with a low dose of synthetic cannabinoids. Although it has positive purpose in the medical field, it has…

Words 701 - Pages 3

Smoke Weed Essay

Legalization on marijuana An old issue that recently shown some success is the legalization of marijuana. Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug, 17 million people 12 and older used cannabis in the last month. The argument is whether or not to legalize the use of cannabis on a federal level. The problem with this issue is that no politician is willing to speak about legalizing marijuana because of the bad rap this topic is labeled with. Most people are either for or against the legalization…

Words 390 - Pages 2

Nothing: Cannabis and New York Times Essay example

Legalize Marijuana The significant topic in American politics I will speak about is marijuana. Marijuana has been illegal in the United States since the 1930s, yet it is someway America's top cash crop. Those whom support cannabis are not solely the consumers; many of us who do not use are pro-legalization because we realize that prohibition does more harm than good. The legalization of marijuana would significantly spur the economy. Despite great efforts by the federal government against marijuana…

Words 635 - Pages 3

Essay on Marijuana Issue mac evans

1 Marijuana Issue Mac Evans Friends University Running head: Legalization in the U.S. 2 In most countries, possession and use of cannabis that is also commonly known as marijuana is considered illegal. In fact, it can be noted that for many years, cannabis has been considered to an illegal drug in most countries. Nevertheless, mainly today, some countries have legalized cannabis while other countries have not. Small quantities of cannabis have been allowed in regions such as Europe…

Words 718 - Pages 3

Legalizing Marijuana Research Paper

2015 HSE3: Period 6 Legalization of Recreational Marijuana Cannabis, also known as marijuana, is a prepared version of the hemp plant, typically used as a psychotic, or in many cases for medicinal use. Its desired effects include increased hunger, relaxation, and an overall happier attitude. Others, such as dry mouth, impaired motor skills, and possibly a temporary loss of short-term memory. Some states have legalized the recreational use of cannabis, and have many reported benefits. In the article…

Words 683 - Pages 3

It's Just a Plant Essay

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)…

Words 980 - Pages 4

Legalize Marijuana Essay

CLN4U0 14 January 2013 Marijuana should be legalized in the state of Canada Canada has been the leader in progress on very delicate issues such as gay marriage, abortion and health care, until the recent decisions made by the United States Government (USA) regarding the use and distribution of marijuana. It’s time for the Canadian government to look upon its own drug laws and ask if these present laws are relevant and effective in today’s modern society and legalize the distribution, possession…

Words 2178 - Pages 9

Marijuana Paper

Marijuana The Question Up in Smoke The issue of legalizing marijuana is a heated topic of debate. With more citizens using the drug and more money being invested to enforce the laws on marijuana this argument is exploding. Marijuana use has traditionally been frowned upon but with new scientific studies the benefits of the drug can hardly be ignored anymore. Should the U.S. government take the initiative and legalize cannabis or should it still be a denounced part of society unrecognized and…

Words 1155 - Pages 5

Legalization Of Marijuana Essays

Kristin Barry Reasons to legalize Marijuana/Cannabis The federal government should legalize marijuana because of the benefits: Cancer patients provided with some relief from their symptoms, and the economic gain $1.3 billion in taxes, hemp saving 4 acres in trees, and decriminalization in a state. There has been scientific evidence that has shown the potential health benefits come from marijuana and its property of cannabinoids. For patients with cancer medical marijuana may be able an effective…

Words 933 - Pages 4

legalize it Essay

Legalize it: Marijuana is the third most popular recreational drug in America, following tobacco and alcohol of course, and has been used by over 100 million Americans at least once. Around 14 million Americans use the herb on a daily basis despite that it is illegal. Marijuana has been illegal for less than 1% of the time that it’s been in use, its known uses date back further than 7000 B.C, such as cloth, incense, food, rope, paper and much more. It was not until the early 1900’s that marijuana…

Words 1546 - Pages 7