Marijuana In America Essay

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To better understand the current political and social issues of marijuana in America it’s good to know the history. In 1619 legislation was passed requiring every farmer in America to grow the hemp plant for textiles. In the early years of American farmers were required to grow hemp. The versatile plant could be used to make sales for ships, rope, cloth and pulp for paper. While our founding fathers weren't sitting around smoking it some did write about growing it and was even used in Pennsylvania as money. The early 1900’s brought with it Mexican immigrants who used the leaves and buds of the plants recreationally. American mistrust of the newly incoming spanish speaking immigrants caused the spread of rumors that pot gave Mexicans super strength …show more content…

In 1925, H. L. Mencken wrote "Prohibition has not only failed in its promises but actually created additional serious and disturbing social problems throughout society. There is not less drunkenness in the Republic but more. There is not less crime, but more. ... The cost of government is not smaller, but vastly greater. Respect for law has not increased, but diminished." Prohibition didn’t work in the 1930’s and i don’t think it’ll work now. Prohibition against alcohol caused an increase in the consumption of hard liquor, organized crime and mob bosses taking over production profound disrespect towards local law officers and loathing of the federal government. The same connections can be made in modern day America with the laws against marijuana. Drug cartels are sneaking marijuana and other illegal drugs in the states and has cost the U.S. government and it’s citizens a large amount of money. The cartels often spur gang violence and brutal murders with innocent people caught in the middle. If the drug lords are captured then it’s up to the taxpayer to keep them locked up in a prison while a new drug lord takes the empty spot

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