The battle against illegal drugs is one of the most costly wars a country can venture on. This is because, apart from costs associated with the venture; when it comes to arrests, the prosecution process, and prison costs, the war denies a country’s medical sector a chance of exploiting the medicinal part of some illegalized drugs for example, marijuana. In addition, considering the amount of revenue, which a country can gain via taxes, the war has many associated losses than gains. Although this is the case, it is important to note that, to some extent, prohibition of illegal drug use has many associated benefits; considering the effects of some drugs on individuals. However, it is important to remember that, the use or selling of some illegal drugs for example, marijuana has many benefits than negative effects, a fact that makes it necessary for governments to legalize its use.
Background information
Marijuana is one of the mostly commonly used illegal drugs in the American continent. From statistics, more than sixty five million Americans at some point in their lives have used the drug, a factor many attribute to its mild effects on users. Although this is the case, the use of such a drug is a criminal offense, which is prosecutable in a court of law. It is necessary to note that, such prohibitions have not limited its wide use among the American citizenry, a fact that many associate with its medicinal importance.
The war against Marijuana traces its origin from the Chinese empire, where inhabitants used it as a pain remedy. Because of the nature of movements during the colonial period, its use moved very fast to other corners of the world, where America is inclusive; as a result the establishment of the British colonies. In the early years of its use, majority of individuals; more so medical practitioners, used it as a pain remedy and as an appetite-triggering factor, although some individuals used it for pleasure purposes. As a result, of its increased use and abuse, the federal government sought to reduce its use through the Marijuana Tax Act that the government put into use in 1937. Such efforts gained little due to great antagonism the act faced from members of the medical society. Effecting of jail terms and use of heavy fines accompanied the adoption of the tax measure hence, making life of marijuana users very hard. Adoption of the Controlled Substance Act by the federal government boosted the war against its use, due to categorization of the drug with other drugs, the federal government considered “the schedule 1” drugs for example, Cocaine. Due to many protest against its illegalization, there was a policy change, which depended on a states acceptance or denial of its use later on. Such provisions were short-lived, because in 1980, President Reagan prohibited its use, a case that happened in the subsequent governments; primarily the Bush’s (senior) administration. Since then many changes have occurred in the Marijuana legislation debate, because some states permit its medical uses for example, California , whereas other states up to today remain adamant about changing the marijuana legislation ( Institute of Medicine , 2010, Para. 1).
Pictorial Representations of the Drug
Why legalize Marijuana?
This is one of the most raging debates in many societies, the U.S. , in particular. This is because, as compared to other commonly legalized and abused drugs for example nicotine products, this drug has fewer associated side effects and negative impacts on individuals. This is a fact proved by researches, where there is a clear indication of minimal risks associated with the Use of Marijuana, when compared to other legalized substances abused mostly by individuals (Schaffer, 2010, p.1).
Mortality Comparison (Schaffer, 2010,
Apart from such minimal death numbers associated with use of Marijuana, it is
