Marijuana vs Alcohol Essay Example
Marijuana vs Alcohol Essay Example

Marijuana vs Alcohol Essay Example

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  • Pages: 5 (1177 words)
  • Published: March 30, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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Readers will consider the important information in this article when they vote.

Despite the current economic decline, some people still oppose proposition 19. This proposal could bring in around 1.4 billion dollars in taxes, providing necessary funds and savings. It may also limit youth access to marijuana and dispel misunderstandings about its risks - as research shows that marijuana is less harmful than commonly believed. Comparing it with alcohol, there are numerous reasons why marijuana should be favored over alcohol - such as the higher number of vehicle accidents and deaths caused by alcohol use resulting in a greater mortality rate compared to marijuana.

While other substances can be highly toxic, marijuana is relatively safe in terms of drug toxicity. Even consuming thousands of times the effective dose would not result in lethality. In contrast, long-term alcohol use poses much more

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severe risks and ranks as the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Alcohol consumption can lead to a range of serious health issues including liver cirrhosis, various types of cancer, accidental injuries, and violent behavior.

The Centers for Disease Control reported that in 2003, alcohol caused 20,687 deaths (excluding accidents and homicides) while only two to five deaths were linked to marijuana. However, upon further investigation, it was discovered that some of the reported marijuana-related deaths were actually caused by other factors but mistakenly attributed to the drug during data collection. This suggests that society should legalize marijuana and ban alcohol as it poses a greater risk.

After going through the articles, one can conclude that marijuana is superior in various aspects. Consider the impact of both substances; while alcohol leads to a significant

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increase in violent behavior, resulting in almost three million violent incidents annually, the situation is grimmer when it comes to spouses as three out of four victims involve alcohol. Furthermore, upon consuming alcohol, chances of physical aggression among men increase by more than eight times.

A recent study conducted by Harvard on public health indicates that the use of marijuana reduces the probability of violence and is not linked to sexual assault or rape, which are significant issues in society. It is worth noting that a large percentage of college rapes (72%) occur when the victim is under the influence and unable to respond.

While marijuana can cause short-term negative effects such as temporary increases in heart rate, distorted perception, coordination problems, and difficulty thinking, it still has fewer adverse consequences than alcohol. However, consuming marijuana orally may lead to more long-lasting side effects like delusions, hallucinations, and disorientation. Despite these risks, some individuals still choose to use marijuana. Smoking marijuana also poses the risk of developing lung cancer; nevertheless, there is no definitive evidence that it is more harmful than smoking cigarettes.

Although alcohol legalization is linked to liver cancer and other health problems, it's not a valid reason to keep marijuana prohibited. Legalizing marijuana has both pros and cons. California could be the first state to legalize it, generating significant economic benefits during tough times. The projected tax income for California alone is $1.4 billion, but this is just one aspect of potential economic growth. If all fifty states legalized marijuana, it could potentially solve America's ongoing financial crisis exacerbated by the stock market crash and prolonged involvement in seemingly endless wars.

Despite worries about possible negative

reactions, there is a pre-existing worldwide market that offers an opportunity for profit. It is advisable for leaders to take advantage of the millions of individuals who are already involved despite resistance, as this would lead to financial benefits and job prospects - both critical amidst the present economic downturn. While proposition 19 has caused confusion, medical marijuana has been legalized in fourteen states (Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico Oregon Rhode Island Vermont and Washington).

To acquire medical marijuana in certain states, registration is mandatory and fulfilling the requirements for a qualifying medical condition is crucial. Authorized by healthcare professionals, prescription of medical marijuana is permitted when traditional treatments or medications fail to relieve symptoms like anorexia, vomiting, wasting, appetite loss, cramping, seizures, muscle spasms or spasticity. Patients can receive a two-month supply of the substance. Despite its potential accessibility without limitations, it may seem unexpected that medical marijuana is advised even for minor issues such as appetite loss, cramping and muscle spasms.

It's not hard to pretend you're not hungry or have stomach problems, and every state has its own regulations which could be very unreasonable. Despite being widely used internationally and even legal in some places, marijuana is still controversial in the US. But it would actually be beneficial to legalize it - drug cartels would suffer a huge loss, leading to fewer dealers, fatalities and prisoners. Plus we'd make money from taxes while saving billions on law enforcement costs for both federal and local governments.

Throughout many years, multiple presidents have been elected in America by all states. Within the last three presidential terms, each president has had exposure

to marijuana, with President Obama openly confessing to having smoked it previously. In sum, billions of dollars have gone towards enforcing laws related to marijuana.

Despite their opposition to marijuana during their presidencies, both Bush and Bill Clinton have hinted at using it. The stigma surrounding marijuana suggests that consumption leads to a lack of success or intelligence; however, this is untrue. In fact, the last three presidents, including the current one, have all smoked marijuana and still reached the highest office in the country. When compared to alcohol - which is legal despite its negative impacts - demonizing marijuana seems unwarranted. According to the partnership for a Drug Free America, around 40% of Americans have tried it; shockingly, 38% of high school students consumed it within the last month. While concerning at first glance, this highlights widespread use and acceptance despite societal disapproval.

While recent statistics indicate that marijuana legalization could increase access, alcohol is generally viewed as more dangerous. A survey found that 39% of respondents had drunk alcohol in the past month. Although concerns exist about potential increases in marijuana use across age groups if it were legalized, evidence suggests that regulating and legalizing the drug could prevent young teenagers from obtaining it. This can be accomplished through measures such as restricted operating hours, age limits, and government intervention to prevent illegal sales.

The approval of Proposition 19, which legalizes marijuana, would lead to the elimination of a large portion of the black market and yield numerous benefits. Despite some potential drawbacks, the positive effects of marijuana outweigh its negative aspects as opposed to alcohol. Therefore, there is no legitimate reason for Proposition 19 not

to be sanctioned.

Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has acknowledged using marijuana and is backing the discussion on Proposition 19. This proposition would permit states to legalize marijuana based on state laws, even if there is a possibility of federal resistance. If Proposition 19 gets approved in California, it could result in an intriguing debate. Taking risks and weighing all aspects while making decisions like this is crucial for states and California is exhibiting leadership by doing so.

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