Richard Lowry has been the editor of National Review since 1997. He joined the magazine’s staff in 1992 after graduating from the University of Virginia, where he edited a conservative monthly magazine called the Virginia Advocate. In 1994, he moved to Washington, D.C. to cover Congress. At 33, Rich Lowry is not what most people expect of the editor of the National Review. Lowry is constantly taking readers by surprise, presenting them with his humor, his depth of knowledge and his enthusiasm. Lowry presents an argument on the issues of marijuana usage. The article "Weed Whackers", was published by the National Review on August 20, 2001. In the 19th century, cultural prejudices have been formed, fighting against the usage of marijuana. In the article, "Weed Whackers", Richard Lowry presents a persuasive argument on the anti-marijuana forces and why they are wrong. He makes logical claims using credible sources, which acts as a persuasive mechanism by appealing his audience.
Richard Lowry uses persuasive reasoning, arguing that marijuana prohibition relies on cultural prejudices. He makes logical claims arguing that marijuana is not as harmful as other drugs such as alcohol, nicotine and caffeine; however, despite the effects of the drug, the punishment for possession is extreme. Because of the minimal effects on how marijuana affects the body, he argues that it makes little sense to send people to jail for marijuana usage. Lowry argues that marijuana is highly used and only represents a temporary experiment or enthusiasm. He backs up this claim using a 1999 report by the Institute of Medicine, which shows that, "in 1996, 68.6 million people- 32% of the US population over 12 years old- had tried marijuana or hashnish at...
... middle of paper ...
..., "when used in a social setting, it may produce infectious laughter and talkativeness". After he makes logical claims using scientific and medical research for support mechanisms, Lowry uses humorous sarcasm as a way to appeal to his audience. Lowry’s humor tactics is an attempt to appeal to the average American values. However, because of cultural prejudices and legality issues, many tend to overthrow his beliefs.
Richard Lowry’s argument is convincing to those whom it already appeals. However, he uses credible sources to make logical claims. This article helps to shape peoples values, by giving facts that show the minimal affects of marijuana usage, expressing the falsity of the "gateway theory" and depicting the correlation between troubled teens and their usage. These ideas are reasonable and logical, which could possibly help to persuade the opposition.
A highly controversial topic within the United States is whether or not the use, either for recreational or medicinal purposes, of marijuana should be legal. Renee Jacques, a writer for The Huffington Post, strongly believes that marijuana is completely harmless and includes the many reasons why in her article, “This is Why Marijuana Should Be Legal Everywhere.” The article was published on January 23, 2014, and at this time The United States was going through legalization changes. Jacques includes eight reasons why she believes marijuana should be legal; the main idea of these points being that everyone partakes in the use of marijuana and it is in no way, shape, or form harmful. Jacques introduces her article by including how Washington
Giving good reason for what legalizing marijuana can do for the United States and how we can gain a lot from legalizing marijuana, but she is able to pull back her reader on why you should not be tamped by what good marijuana can do. The author of the article view that the negative effects of marijuana are a huge deal, since marijuana tempers with the human brain and that even though it has its pros, the cons win since it’s more harmful if not use properly or the drug is used to much or use often. As well that we still don’t know that much about marijuana and that there should be more studies on marijuana, since we can still learn more about
The controversy of legalizing marijuana has been raging for quite a while in America. From some people pushing it for medical purposes to potheads just wanting to get high legally. Marijuana has been used for years as a popular drug for people who want to get a high. All this time it has been illegal and now it looks as if the drug may become legal. There has been heated debate by many sides giving there opinion in the issue. These people are not only left wing liberals either. Richard Brookhiser, a National Review Senior editor is openly supportive of medical marijuana yet extremely conservative in his writing for National Review (Brookhiser 27). He is for medical marijuana since he used it in his battle with testicular cancer. He says "I turned to [marijuana] when I got cancer because marijuana gives healthy people an appetite, and prevents people who are nauseated from throwing up. "(Brookhiser 27) Cancer patients are not the only benefactors from the appetite enhancer in marijuana, but so are any other nauseous people. Arizona and California have already passed a law allowing marijuana to be used as a medicinal drug. Fifty Six percent of the California voters voted for this law. "We've sent a message to Washington," says Dennis Peron. "They've had 25 years of this drug was, and they've only made things worse." (Simmons 111) The Arizona proposition garnished an even wider margin of separation between the fore's an against in a sixty five percent support tally. Ethan Nadelmann insists that " these propositions are not about legalization or decriminalization. They're about initiating some non radical, commonsense approaches to drug policy." General Barry McCaffery disagrees saying, "I...
Ever since marijuana’s introduction to the United States of America in 1611, controversy of the use and legalization of the claimed-to-be Schedule I drug spread around the nation. While few selective states currently allow marijuana’s production and distribution, the remaining states still skepticize the harmlessness and usefulness of this particular drug; therefore, it remains illegal in the majority of the nation. The government officials and citizens of the opposing states believe the drug creates a threat to citizens due to its “overly-harmful” effects mentally and physically and offers no alternate purposes but creating troublesome addicts hazardous to society; however, they are rather misinformed about marijuana’s abilities. While marijuana has a small amount of negligible effects to its users, the herbal drug more importantly has remarkable health benefits, and legalizing one of the oldest and most commonly known drugs would redirect America’s future with the advantages outweighing the disadvantages.
Marijuana has been widely mis-viewed as a bad thing; society classifies marijuana as a drug, parents warn their children to stay away from marijuana because it is bad; but those are all misconceptions. But in reality, it is actually a very beneficial drug to many degrees. Marijuana actually has numerous favorable effects, such as helping people escape the cruel reality for a moment, helping patients who are almost at the end of their lives feel better, and helping the economy recover. In addition, marijuana’s side effects are all due to human abusing it, like the old saying goes, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Although marijuana users have a history of not doing so well in life, marijuana should still be made available to anyone above the legal drinking age and be regulated like tobacco and alcohol; due to its assuaging effects to the economy and human’s mental health.
"Marijuana is the second most popular drug after alcohol in the country today. So many people smoke marijuana that the numbers alone seem to legitimize and condone its presence in people's lives. Yet, even in moderation marijuana is not 'safe.' Somehow this information had not filtered down to people who think they are smoking a fairly innocuous drug. Our society perpetuates the myths about pot being a fun, harmless, recreational drug. These myths feed into people's denial of marijuana's problems" (Baum 6). However, the abuse of marijuana is a problem. It is not only a personal problem, but also more importantly a social problem. Throughout history marijuana has been used to serve various purposes in many different cultures. The purposes have changed over time to fit in with the current lifestyles. The cultivation of the marijuana plant in the United States began as far back as the Jamestown settlers around the year 1611. At that time the main focus was on survival rather than for psychoactive purposes. Medicinal uses of marijuana eventually changed to enjoyment manipulation. Beginning in the 1960s marijuana use saw a reemergence with the rebellious youth, and the "hippie movement." This evolved into increased use among the older population as well. This trend continues to this day. Marijuana use can be termed abuse. Today the debate over marijuana is a major controversy that affects our society as a whole. During the 60's it was easy to depict marijuana as a beneficial and completely harmless substance because there was not enough scientific research done during this time (Grolier Wellness Encyclopedia). Today we know that the levels of THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana called tetrahydr...
Many could argue that marijuana is destructive physically as well as mentally. “The National Institute on Drug Abuse says marijuana can cause heart irregularities, lung problems, and addiction” (Welch). “One joint can be just as damaging to [the lungs] as smoking at least two and a half cigarettes” (Ruff). According to Dr. Tom Wright, director of a substance abuse treatment center for adolescents in Rockford, “teens may be especially sensitive to marijuana’s effects because their brains are still being formed” (MJ Rebuttal). However, the marijuana legalization proposition would have tight restrictions and regulations by the states that would eliminate some of those issues, such as age. These facts are not consistent; the evidence is not backed from reliable sources. One institute is referred to, but more experts are needed to verify the information.
The effect of Marijuana on American Society has been a highly popularized point of concern and discussion for many years. This topic has become more frequent in the past months as two states voters have allowed its widespread recreational and medicinal use. This research paper will focus on some of the history of marijuana, details of this drug, and conclude with my findings of why this drug has become increasingly popular which may surprise the reader.
The legalization of marijuana is a very prominent and controversial topic in today’s society. Many people will argue against the legalization because of the lies and stereotypes that have been posed against the typical “pot smoker.” The skewed perception of lazy and unmotivated Americans spread over the last century have distorted the truth about cannabis. There are many different reasons for legalizing marijuana including an easy tax to profit from, medical reasons, and also many drugs and substances that are already legal are much more dangerous.
It’s dangerous, addictive, and destroys millions of teen lives, that is what we are led to believe about marijuana. We have been conditioned to think it is bad and the people that use it are bad. Over 98 million people over the age of 12 have smoked. It is very common, and plays a substantial role in modern day pop culture. The problem is that so many of us are unfamiliar with all the benefits marijuana provides. Instead of assuming it’s dangerous, as a country we should keep an open-mind to the positives it may bring to the United States. That is why the legalization of marijuana should be available for those at least 21 years of age because of the economic, health and social benefits.
“The immorality of marijuana use can only be based on one set of moral beliefs. For example, it is discriminatory to claim that Judeo-Christian abstinence from intoxication is the correct set or moral beliefs” (Arguments For And Against Legalization Of Marijuana). The legalization of Marijuana has many advantages and disadvantages. If this product is legalized, then it would be acceptable to skyrocket the taxes to purchase in-order to maintain control. The disadvantage may be a slight increase of individuals driving while high or intoxicated. “Legal prohibition does not stop consumers from consuming drugs, it does not stop trafficants from producing and selling it. The price of the final product increases to abnormally high values because of the black market status, which together with the powerful effects of drug addiction causes users to commit crimes in order to fund their addiction” (Arguments For And Against Legalization
In America, marijuana is the most used drug after alcohol and tobacco. Marijuana is used by millions of Americans, despite the harsh laws illegalizing the drug. Some states, such as Washington and Colorado have legalized marijuana for recreational use. Efforts to legalize the drug in other states have been unsuccessful such as Proposition 19 in California, which failed in 2010 despite uptight campaigns. Billions of dollars are spent at the state, local, and federal level to fight the use of marijuana. Millions are arrested for marijuana offenses and sentenced for extended periods. Marijuana has negative effects on the human health and high potential for addiction. Legalizing marijuana will eliminate the black market, which is responsible for the increase in violence, crime, and corruption. Resources used for mass incarceration in the war on drug can be redirected to rehabilitation to decrease drug abuse and addiction.
Marijuana is a very hot topic and also brings a lot of controversy among the topics in the U.S today. Many believe it has medicinal benefits and should be made legal when necessary. Many believe it has a really high risk for abuse. Amongst those arguments, some of the ingredience in medical marijuana have presented a greater argument for possible legalization through their use of research and evidence of beneficial use
There has always been controversy about marijuana and the affects it has on health and the issue of legalization. Some people believe it is very destructive to one’s health, and yet others feel the complete opposite about it. Is Marijuana truly harmful to one’s health? “Marijuana, the Deceptive Drug”, written by George Bierson, was published in the Massachusetts News. In this article, Bierson determines that marijuana is harmful in many ways. He seems to think that it damages the brain, the reproductive system, and also contributes to the halt of production in the immune system. Bierson also tries to persuade the reader that marijuana is a “gateway drug” that leads to larger drugs in the future. However, by conducting research of my own, I have come to the conclusion that Bierson’s article simply lacks truth.
As a college student, drugs and alcohol are constantly creating temptations for individuals. In the United States, the problem with marijuana use is increasing. It is “the most used illegal drug in the world, with almost 160 million people, aged fifteen to sixty four, reporting having used marijuana in the last year” (Smith 429). Friends of users and users are constantly surrounded by the drug, but have no idea of the effects. As the years pass, marijuana is being viewed as a “normal” drug and although some disagree, they find no reason to discourage users. Marijuana has serious side effects and with a little knowledge could change the choices of individuals. In order to protect friend, family, and the community, it is necessary to recognize the disadvantages it has on individuals. By the enlarged number of marijuana users in the United States, the negative effects it has on the body, lives of individuals, and legal consequences should cause a realization that marijuana should continue to be illegal and avoided.