Legalization Of Marijuana – College Essay Example

particularly for medical purposes. The current policy on marijuana is both inefficient and costly as the government spends billions combatting its use. This approach leads to a thriving black market for marijuana, which subsequently increases crime rates and prison populations. Consequently, the government not only fails to solve the issue of marijuana usage but also creates new problems. At present, marijuana falls under Schedule I drugs according to the Controlled Substances Act – a law that establishes criteria for controlled substances based on their potential for abuse, lack of accepted medical use, and lack of proven safety under medical supervision (Roffman 4). Schedule I includes various hallucinogens such as hashish, THC, heroin, LSD mescaline peyote alongside marijuana itself.In the United States, it is illegal to engage in any activities related to marijuana, including buying, selling, growing, or possessing it. Each state has its own set of penalties for marijuana offenses. For example, in New York, a first-time offense of privately possessing up to twenty-five grams of marijuana can result in a $100 fine. A second offense with the same amount carries a $200 fine. Cultivating or selling marijuana can lead to a $1000 fine and up to one year in prison.

If possession or cultivation occurs in public, harsher penalties apply. Possessing marijuana publicly may result in a $500 fine and up to three months imprisonment. Cultivating it publicly carries a one-year prison term and $1000 fine. Selling it publicly can lead to a four-year prison sentence. The severity of penalties increases based on the quantity of marijuana involved.

The most severe penalty is fifteen years imprisonment for possessing, cultivating or selling over ten pounds of marijuana

(Roffman 43). Marijuana comes from the cannabis plant genus which includes the leaves, stems, and flowering tops of this plant species.There are three species within Cannabis: Cannabis sativa,Cannabis indica,and Cannabis ruderalis.The hemp plant grows wild worldwide and can be cultivated in hot regions.It contains 421 chemicals from 18 different chemical classes and produces at least 61 unique cannabinoids.These cannabinoids are distinct from those found in any other plants (Randall 47).The primary cannabinoid that is most important is 1-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is a water-insoluble liquid commonly known as THC in casual writing. The THC content in marijuana typically ranges from 0.5% to 6%. Different cannabis preparations are used for desired effects through smoking or oral ingestion, with smoking being approximately three times more effective than ingestion for the same amount of THC (Randall 48). In the United States, marijuana is commonly smoked using hand-rolled cigarettes called "joints" or "reefers," as well as various types of pipes. Before the 1960s, marijuana use was mainly limited to specific social groups like jazz musicians, urban minority communities, and Mexican Americans in the Southwest (Roffman 51). However, there was a significant increase in marijuana use following that time period. By 1979, around 68% of individuals aged 18 to 25 had tried marijuana at least once, with about 35% using it within the previous month. Of those who currently used marijuana, approximately two-thirds reported using it five or more times per month, while about 9% reported daily use. There was also a notable increase in global marijuana usage. The primary active compound in marijuana is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which impacts various parts of the body including the nervous system, heart, and blood

vessels.The effects of marijuana can vary depending on factors such as dosage, method of consumption, and an individual's tolerance level. Smoking marijuana with a THC content of about 2%, which is equivalent to consuming around 20 mg of THC orally, typically results in changes in mood, mental abilities, coordination, blood pressure, and pulse. This state is commonly known as being "high," characterized by feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and sleepiness. It impairs short-term memory and problem-solving skills that require multiple mental steps. Users may also experience altered perception of sights and sounds and a sense of strangeness. Time perception can be distorted where minutes feel like hours.

Even small amounts of marijuana can impair balance stability and complex behaviors related to driving. It also increases heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and causes redness in the eyes. Higher doses can induce hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. Anxiety, panic, confusion, and disorganization may occur with marijuana use.

Users typically control their intake to avoid overdose by taking only as many inhalations necessary for the desired "high." However smoking large quantities over extended periods can result in severe bronchitis. The "tar" produced from smoking marijuana is more potent at causing cancer in animals compared to tobacco tar.The hemp plant has been recognized for its medicinal effects by ancient Chinese and Indian cultures, who used it to treat various disorders. Currently, marijuana is only approved for medical use in California and Arizona within the United States. Clinical research has shown that THC effectively reduces chemotherapy-induced nausea in cancer patients and stimulates appetite. It also acts as a bronchodilator, helping to reverse bronchial constriction in asthma patients. Marijuana is used to prevent seizures in

certain epilepsy patients and provides relief from muscle pain, spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), tremors, and improves gait stability. In addition, clinical studies have found evidence supporting the effectiveness of marijuana in relieving muscle spasms and spasticity.

The versatile fiber from the hemp plant was widely cultivated in the New World for making ropes. Early laws encouraging its cultivation existed, such as a 1619 Virginia Assembly law promoting farmers to grow this crop. However, limited legislation regarding hemp emerged until the 1900s when negative sentiments towards Mexicans led to marijuana gaining a negative reputation. Texas police alleged that violent crimes committed by Mexican settlers were due to marijuana after Mexican peasants crossing into Texas used it as an intoxicant.In 1914, El Paso, Texas implemented a ban on marijuana possession (Potter 97). This led to many other states following suit and eventually in 1937, Congress passed the Marijuana Tax Act which made it illegal to possess marijuana nationwide. The McCarthy era saw the establishment of minimum penalties for marijuana possession through the Boggs Acts (Potter 97), and Congress further increased these sentences in 1956. While state laws often imposed harsher penalties than federal laws as opposition towards marijuana grew (Potter 98), an unexpected trend emerged in the 1960s when marijuana use began rising among the white middle class for the first time ever. This prompted calls for repealing mandatory sentences reflected in the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970. Most states followed the lead of the federal government by decriminalizing marijuana possession. However, in the 1980s, there were multiple changes in the government's stance on drug offenses. Firstly, with the passage of the

Anti-Abuse Act of 1986, mandatory minimum sentences for various drug offenses were reintroduced (Potter 101). Later, in1996,federal legislation stated that Americans convicted of a marijuana felony are no longer eligible for federal welfare or food stamps (Potter 101). Special interest groups aim to influence federal laws regarding marijuana legalization and proposed laws can originate from either the Senate or House of Representatives.The law must pass both houses unchanged and be signed by the president. If a group wants to legalize marijuana at a federal level, they need to reach out to a specific committee within either the House or Senate. The proposal will then be referred to a specialized sub-committee within that committee for hearings, revisions, and approval. Further revisions may be made by the original committee if necessary. Once approved by the entire committee, the bill proceeds before the Rules committee which determines actions for debate. After debates are completed and if approved, it is submitted to the Senate where similar proceedings occur. Leadership schedules actions and debates on this bill in the Senate as well. If approved by both chambers of Congress but with discrepancies between versions passed by each chamber, a conference with representatives from both houses resolves these differences. The final version of the bill will be sent back to both chambers for approval. It will then be presented to the President who can sign or veto it. If signed, the bill becomes law and is enforced nationwide. However, if vetoed by the President, Congress can override with a two-thirds majority in each house, making it a law.

Advocates for marijuana legalization support Drug Policy Foundation (DPF), an independent non-profit organization with

over 23,000 supporters.DPF's goal is to promote alternative approaches to current drug strategies and has a budget of slightly above $3 million.
The Drug Policy Foundation (DPF) argues that the current drug policy is both ineffective and a violation of individual rights. It is also costly and contributes to increased criminal activity. They believe it fuels a violent black market, fails to control drug use trends, and neglects health concerns associated with drug use. DPF focuses on implementing harm reduction policies such as needle exchange programs aimed at reducing diseases like HIV/AIDS. Additionally, they advocate for decriminalization by directing law enforcement efforts towards major drug offenders, similar to Holland's approach.

In terms of medicalization, certain circumstances allow doctors in Arizona, California, Great Britain, and Switzerland to prescribe illegal drugs effectively for addicts. Meanwhile, drug legalization would involve establishing a regulated market for drugs, similar to alcohol laws in the United States.

To address these issues and promote awareness and understanding among the public, media, and government officials, the Drug Policy Foundation engages in public education by distributing information and providing resources. Furthermore, they organize an annual conference that caters to various participants including the general public as well as policy-makers, public health workers, medical professionals,and legal professionals. These conferences cover a wide range of topics from media seminars to specialized training sessions for interest groups while discussing drug policy matters.In addition to its Public Policy Office, DPF keeps track of Congressional legislation and informs the public about significant drug laws through Action Alerts and a monthly newsletter. Furthermore, DPF offers grants for programs related to drug policy such as needle exchange programs, innovative drug treatment services, research endeavors,

and advocacy projects.

On the contrary, Drug Watch International (DWI) is a volunteer non-profit organization that opposes drug legalization. DWI provides information and advocates against it in a comprehensive manner. With approximately 13,000 members across 15 countries worldwide and an annual budget of $1.3 million dollars, DWI aims to combat the significant threat that illegal or harmful psychoactive drugs pose to global communities and future generations.

To achieve their objectives, DWI provides accurate information on illicit substances while promoting evidence-based drug policies. They strongly oppose any moves towards drug legalization or decriminalization. In support of this mission, they advocate for clear standards against the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs for both adults and youth. They also endorse coordinated approaches encompassing prevention, education, law enforcement, and treatment regarding these substances. Additionally, DWI supports strong laws and penalties that hold users and dealers accountable for their actions.The organization supports international treaties, agreements, and sanctions against drug trafficking while opposing any efforts to undermine these policies and laws. They emphasize adherence to scientific standards in research on alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Additionally, they support initiatives aimed at preventing drug availability and use but reject harm reduction policies that accept drug use based solely on minimizing harm.

The following bibliography lists sources related to marijuana with their respective sources:

1. "Marihuana: The First Twelve Thousand Years" by Abel I.L. (Source: McGraw Hill, 1982)
2. Personal Interview with Garner C., May 21st 1998
3. Personal Interview with Kluger J., May 16th 1998
4. "Marihuana, Biological Effects" by Gabriel G. Nahas (Source: University of Illinois Press, 1986)
5. "The Healing Magic of Cannabis" by Beverly Potter (Source: Ronin Publishings, Inc., 1998)
6. "The Patients Fight for

Medicinal Pot" by Robert C Randall (Source: Thunders Mouth Press, 1998)
7. "Marijuana as Medicine" by Roger A Roffman (Source: Madrona Publishers Inc.,1982)
8. "Why Marijuana Should Be Legal" by Ed Rosenthal (Source: Thunder's Mouth Press ,1996)

These texts discuss various aspects of marijuana and its effects:

1."Marihuana, Biological Effects" by Gabriel G Nahas explores the biological impact of marijuana.
2.In "The Healing Magic of Cannabis," written by Beverly Potter, the potential healing properties of cannabis are examined.

(Source information is provided for each text)Robert C. Randall, in his book "The Patients Fight for Medicinal Pot" (Source: Thunders Mouth Press), presents arguments supporting the use of medicinal marijuana. Similarly, Roger A. Roffman explores the medical applications of marijuana in his publication "Marijuana as Medicine" (Source: Madrona Publishers Inc.). Additionally, Ed Rosenthal advocates for the legalization of marijuana in his book titled "Why Marijuana Should Be Legal" (Source: Thunder's Mouth Press).