Summary Of Why Citizens Should Just Say No By Charles Stimson

How aware are we, the people, of the destructive and ultimately lethal affects of marijuana? Expert in crime control and national security, Charles Stimson informs the general public about the disasters of marijuana in his essay, “Legalizing Marijuana: Why Citizens Should Just Say No”. He writes about the damaging use of prolonged marijuana and the “additional (financial) strain on an already faltering economy”, while also enlightening Americans on the terrible untruths that supporters of legalization make. Mr. Stimson effectively convinces his audience that citizens should not legalize marijuana by referring to outside sources with credible background, by answering questions from the opposing side, and by explaining the cause and effect of black-market profits.
In his essay, Stimson opens by stating the addiction of marijuana and lists some health conditions like birth defects, memory loss, and cancer. He continues by bringing to attention the faults in popular counter arguments. For example, marijuana legalists

associate the drug with alcohol, when in fact marijuana elevates the risk of a heart attack while alcohol lowers the possibility. About midway, the paper reads how although users might be sober during work hours, the long-term affects put immeasurable amounts of people in danger. Research mentions possible “psychotic symptoms” as well as brain damage and stroke. (Stimson 106) Finally, Charles Stimson closes by mentioning President Ronald Reagan’s national drug strategy with prevention and education, which supports Charles Stimson’s main point to make the general audience aware of the severities of marijuana.
In addition to President Reagan, Stimson sites a variety of other really reliable resources. These informants include, Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit medical practice and medical research group, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a division of the National Institutes of Health, the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit organization of research and analysis, the National Institute of Drug Abuse, the Obama Administration, and Rev. Dr. D. Stuart Dunnan, Headmaster of Saint James School in St. James, Maryland. Each of the experts and organizations mentioned either reassures the idea of not legalizing marijuana or supports a key point. For instance, the RAND Corporation presents the percentage of arrestees who tested positive for marijuana and price drop for the drug leading to perilous situations. Clearly, Charles Stimson sought out to find trustworthy facts, statics, and research.
Furthermore, Charles Stimson disputes the falsehood that the people who are pushing for legalized marijuana proclaim.

For example, the pro-marijuana community tends to highlight the Netherlands and their relaxed drug policies, but what they do not research is appalling. Although the Dutch seem perfect, Europe’s most brutal city is Amsterdam. Because of the strong relationship to crime, Netherland officials are in the process of closing down marijuana dispensaries. Supporters of legalization also mention that the tax collection would vastly outweigh the legalization expenses. However, according to the Obama Administration, the taxation of marijuana would not compare to the cost legalize, because research showed the economic weight of tobacco also does not hold. In addition, Stimson states that “three to four joints (of marijuana) are equivalent to those of an entire pack of cigarettes.” Therefore, the author holds a light to the opposing

accusations.
Along with rebutting the marijuana legalists, Stimson writes about the increase in black-market expenses. He states that the drug trafficking organizations will only push to grow their own drugs and increase prices, making their profits soar. On top of the newfound motivation, murders, robberies, kidnappings will also multiply due to these ruthless societies. To scandalously avoid regulation and taxation, many drug traffickers will smartly remain in the black-market. With much concern, the author writes to warn many citizens of the effect that legalizing marijuana takes on the black-market.
Successfully, Charles Stimson persuades American citizens to stand against marijuana legalization through providing answers to count-arguments, allegations of the rise of the black market, and dependable resources. As an expert and senior legal fellow at The Heritage Foundation, Stimson strives to prove the dangers and cautions of not knowing about marijuana and those who benefit from taking this risk. Now, we, the people, know the severities and costs of legalizing marijuana.