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Should Marijuana Be Decriminalized?
Since the dawn of our civilization there has been a prevalent undertone of drug utilization. Whether an antibiotic, tonic, stimulant, analgesic, anesthetic, opiate, anti-depressant or painkiller; drugs, whether medical or non-medical, have found themselves in the spotlight of our culture and in our societies. Our widespread multi-culture of drugs has become a nuance to the very backbone of our moralistic values as a county, as a population and as people. Specifically speaking, marijuana has become a thorn in the side of our culture. Debates on the legalization of this street drug have amplified as of late and have been an interest of both smokers and non-smokers. Either way, marijuana although very popular with many, common knowledge suggests that everything popular isn’t always the most beneficial. Marijuana should never be legalized. Legalization of marijuana could eventually lead to the legalization of many other pitiless activities. Marijuana is often used as a stepping-stone drug, leading to heroin, cocaine, or other harder drugs. Besides it being morally wrong, damage would be done to users that abuse the drug, especially young people.
According to Narconon International, Marijuana has been in existence since ancient times. Found in a Chinese medical reference, marijuana was described as an agent to achieve euphoria dated back from 2737 B.C. (Narconon, 2014) Sounds very innocent when stated in that fashion. Despite the ancient’s preference of utilizing marijuana, times have drastically changed. We were once a society whose value was held in its truth and morals. Our culture contained strict laws that were often followed in order that things flowed properly. Abortions were illegal, the...
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...e of their habit, roughness and wrongdoing, unemployment, under-employment, expanded illness,etc., is borne by whatever remains of us - and it is in the many billions yearly. (Gucciardi, 2007)
References:
Joffe, A., & Yancy, W. (2004). Legalization of Marijuana: Potential Impact on Youth. Pediatrics, 113(6), e632-e638.
Khamsi, R. (2013). Going to Pot. Scientific American, 308(6), 34-36.
"Why Marijuana?" Marijuana Info. Narconan International, 2010. Web. 20 Feb. 2014.
L. Johnson et al. 1981. Marijuana Decriminalization: The Impact on Youth 1975-1980. Monitoring the Future, Occasional Paper Series: Paper No. 13. Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan.
Gucciardi, A. (n.d.). Why is marijuana illegal? Retrieved from http://naturalsociety.com/why-is-marijuana-illegal-examining-the-health-aspects-of-cannabis/
About one out of five 10th graders and about 1 out of four high school seniors used marijuana in the past month (Facts for Teens, 1). It is the second most popular drug among teens in the US (Encarta, 1). Teens, ages 12-17, that use marijuana weekly are nine times more likely than non-users to experience with illegal drugs and alcohol (Fed. Study, 1). More 13 & 14 year olds are using drugs, fifteen pe...
Marijuana has been a plant for longer than any human has been alive. Civilizations have used marijuana for hundreds of years for hundreds of purposes. But ever since the 1970’s when growing or having possession became illegal marijuana has been looked down upon by a majority of people living in the United States. Just because it’s illegal doesn’t give someone the right to look down upon you for doing a drug that’s been here longer than we have. I’m not saying just because a poppy plant has been here since before us that you should go overdose on a bunch of opium or any other drug that causes you to want more and more. That’s not healthy by any means. But with marijuana there are no adverse harmful side effects that would cause one to fear for their life or to become addicted.
Lately it seems that drug policy and the war on drugs has been in the headlines quite a lot. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the policies that the United States government takes against illegal drugs are coming into question. The mainstream media is catching on to the message of organizations and individuals who have long been considered liberal "Counter Culture" supporters. The marijuana question seems to be the most prevalent and pressing of the drugs and issues that are currently being addressed. The messages of these organizations and individuals include everything from legalization of marijuana for medical purposes, to full-unrestricted legalization of the drug.
Mekdlawit Demissie IGED 130-06 Informative Speech Outline Topic: Marijuana Speech Goal: To inform the audience about the long and short term effects of marijuana usage. Central Idea: Marijuana is the most commonly used drug amongst young people in the United States. Introduction: I. Attention getter:
History of Marijuana Marijuana has been used both recreationally and medicinally for centuries. There are numerous accounts of its medicinal qualities in multiple historical artifacts. Its use dates back to 2737 B.C. when the Chinese emperor, Shen Nung, used it for medicinal purposes including malaria, gout, poor memory, rheumatism, and analgesia (Carter et. al., 2003). Eastern Indian documents, in the Atharvaveda, dating back to 2000 B.C. also refer to its medicinal use.
Schwartz, Richard H. "Marijuana: A Decade And A Half Later, Still A Crude Drug With Underappreciated Toxicity." Pediatrics 109.2 (2002): 284. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 29 Mar. 2014.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. "The Nagative consequences of Marijuana Use." Marijuana (Contemporary Issues Companion). Tardiff, Joseph, ed. Farmington Hills: Greenhaven Press, 2008. 34-44. Print
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 legalization of marijuana has been a highly debated topic for many of years. Since the first president to the most recent, our nation’s leaders have consumed the plant known as weed. With such influential figures openly using this drug why is it so frowned upon? Marijuana is considered a gateway drug, a menace to society, and mentally harmful to its consumers. For some people weed brings a sense of anxiety, dizziness, or unsettling feeling. Like alcohol, tobacco or any other drug, those chemicals may not respond well with their body. For other people marijuana brings joy, a sense of relief, and takes the edge off of every day stress. For those who are associated with cannabis, purposes usually range from a relaxant, or cash crop, to more permissible uses such as medicine, and ingredient to make so many other materials. We now need to look at what would change if marijuana were legal. Benefits to the economy and agriculture, health issues, and crime rates are three areas worth looking at. Deliberating on the pros and cons of this plant we can get a better understanding for marijuana. From there it will be easier to make a clear consensus on what is best for the nation.
The marijuana affect the brain development, because the teenager are under go development still of age of 25. The effect of marijuana is immediately when is consume as smoke. The marijuana contain some chemical that affect the brain pressure, memory, thinking, concentration, movement, coordination, and sensory a time perception. All this affects the development of the brain and receptor, because is on constant development and every time that the teenager smokes the effect is immediately and this effect can be last for one to three hours. The concern about the use the marijuana is because affect the development of the brain and affect the intellectuality. According to National Institute of Drug Abuse, the overstimulation of these receptors on the brain areas produces the marijuana "high," as well as other effects on mental processes. In facts the used of mariju...
Thies, C. F., & Register, C. (1993). Decriminalization of marijuana and demand for alcohol, marijuana and cocaine. The Social Sciences Journal, 30(4), 385-399.
"Legalization of Marijuana." Student Resource Center. Detroit: Gale, 2012. Discovering Collection. Gale. MINITEX. 20 Mar. 2014
The use of drugs and mind-alternating substances has been a part of society for decades. The ‘high’ that people attain from the use of such substances is very attractive and exciting however, the effects of this use are minimized. Particularly for youth, a group of individuals who are seeking independence and experimentation, drug use represents the balance between taking risks and taking responsibility for one’s actions. However, the developmental processes of adolescents are known to not encompass the maturity required to fully think through such decisions. As such, the use of a ‘smaller-scale’ drug like marijuana is even more minimized. The purpose of this paper is to discuss what the risks of using marijuana are for youths, why they are the most affected, how this problem has progressed over the last three decades, and what preventative measures and treatment options are in place. It will also discuss what schools, parents, and government agencies could be doing to help improve the issue, and the impact that this issue is having on society.
Against Marijuana Legalization Should Marijuana Be Legalized? In society today, many people look for a feeling of freedom. Many people go on vacation and spend money. The most common escape for people is drugs. Our American society is facing a tremendous drug problem.
National Institute of Mental Health. "Teen Marijuana use Worsens Depression." 2007. National Institute of Mental Health. Web. 22 March 2014.