Legalizing the Green Lady

Although it is a highly common defense that marijuana is not addictive, it in fact is. Many regular smokers find themselves ridden with very similar withdrawal symptoms of a tobacco addict (Marijuana Addiction Symptoms and Effects). Around 9% of people who use find themselves dependent on marijuana (Is Marijuana Addictive?). That may not seem like much, but that is almost 1 in every 10 people hooked on a drug that is supposedly “non-addictive.” Legalizing a drug that causes disorientation, paranoia, depression, anxiety, dizziness, and a slowed reaction time is not safe, not to mention the fact that it is a gateway drug, often leading users to use even more damaging and dangerous drugs (Is Marijuana Addictive?). With the legalization of a drug like marijuana comes increased use and abuse of the drug. Marijuana is unsafe medically for the individual using and for the people around them when the user is under the influence, it will cost the government money and time and it will cost employers tons. Legalizing marijuana would be a huge mistake by our country.

Almost all of these drugs have dangerous side effects especially the ones that are illegally

Marijuana is a naturally grown plant that has beneficial properties and the ability to create textiles, paper products, and other goods. Marijuana is currently illegal in many states in the United States. The legalization of Marijuana will produce enormous tax revenue, reduce crime, give us a renewable resource, and give sick and suffering patients a new effective medicine. The legalization of Marijuana in the United States would both benefit the well-being of its citizens as well the economy.

Marijuana is the most common drug in America and all over the world. It is legalized in some countries, but most countries prohibit its use. It has proven medical abilities and was used for this purpose for a while before being federally criminalized. The United States has been debating on the legalization of marijuana with some states supporting the move and others against it. ("10 Facts About Marijuana") Despite all these debates, the legalization of marijuana is the better option of the two. Legalizing marijuana will result in medical, economic and social benefits all over America.

Furthermore, "most marijuana smoked in the United States is grown in the United States" [27 Information Plus]. In fact, across of the States' farmland, cannabis is the number one cash crop [Pollan; ONDCP], surpassing even tobacco. It is also important to note that the elicit cannabis trade can be separated from the illicit "hard" drug trade (cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and the like are all highly profitable and controlled entirely by armed cartels. It is much harder to justify the use of these other drugs given the addiction and social ills associated with their use).

I. Marijuana has been illegal in the United States since the Marihuana Stamp Tax Act was enacted by congress in 1937

Marijuana has a greater beneficial impact on society then many people realize. Marijuana should be legalized for medical as well as recreational purposes. This is a highly controversial issue that is being debated throughout the country. In essence marijuana is evaluated by the effectiveness of the drug. It is defined as the dried flowered clusters and leaves of a hemp plant smoked for the intoxicating effect. Whether it should be legalized or not is the real question.

In the United State marijuana is the leading cause of substance dependence. 1 out of every 10 users becomes very dependent on the drug. The rate of dependence on marijuana is at the same rate as alcohols rate. Half of the daily user who use marijuana are or will become dependent and two thirds of people that suffer with substance disorder is because of marijuana. Addiction risk is also present when using the substance. Even though not scientifically proven marijuana is addicting. Teens from 9 to 16 percent risk for addiction doubles because of the age they started at. Those who use the drug daily have a high a chance of addiction risk that increases from 25 to 50 percent. Annually, 100,000 Americans turn to rehabilitation for help in prevailing over bad cannabis customs . Countries who experience relaxed marijuana like the Netherlands and Britain show why weed should not be legalized. These countries are seeing heavy users and are also seeing withdrawal symptoms from those that are trying to quit the drug. Addiction can lead to many different things. Many of these things are not healthy for you. Once addicted those who try to quit experience withdrawal symptoms, irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety and craving. Because of all harm that can come through dependence and addiction from the drug legalizing marijuana would not be a wise

The source states polls and statistics of the controversial issue. Last year 10% of Americans supported the act, this year its 58%. This is the highest it has ever been. The last time it was the highest percentage was in 1977, yet it was still only 28%. A sizable percentage of Americans (38%) this year admitted to having tried the drug, which may be a contributing factor to greater acceptance. The source tells of how independents are fueling growth in acceptance of legalizing marijuana. The information is credible and important because it gives real polls and statistics. I will use this in my paper for the reason that it will provide readers the knowledge of how other Americans feel and not just my

Marijuana is a natural herb that comes from a plant. It only becomes a drug when people smoke it or orally consume it for hallucinogenic purposes. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the legalization of marijuana with some states wanting to legalize it and others wanting to keep it illegal. However, some states have already legalized it and the effects could be considered positive. Therefore, the united states should legalize marijuana because it would be a source of income for our economy, would decrease crime rates involving marijuana and it would decrease the drug trafficking of it.

Directly compared to other legal substances such as alcohol and tobacco products, the health risk is minimal in the sense of death count to substance related deaths in the US. While Cannabis has never directly caused any deaths at any point, it does not mean it comes without health risks. A few health risks include damage to the lungs, stunting the growth of a developing teen’s brain, and some instances it could cause a lack of motivation in users. Daily and often consumption of inhaling smoke could cause damage to the lungs. Although marijuana smoke does not contain the chemicals often found in cigarettes such as nicotine, tar, and ammonia, which does not mean it is completely harmless. Inhaling smoke into one’s lungs is never healthy for them and marijuana is not excluded from this. The Effects of marijuana can also be dangerous in different scenarios. It is never safe nor smart to operate a vehicle while under the influence of marijuana as it hampers coordination and impedes the judgment of the brain. One should never smoke marijuana daily while their brains are still developing as it can lengthen and disrupt the growth of the developing brain and can also damage nerve cells. Studies show that frequent chronic marijuana users have a lower Intelligence Quotient compared to a nonsmoking population. Many argue that it is impossible to get addicted to marijuana which is not the case at all. Addiction isn’t always your body developing a dependency on a substance to function because addiction can be completely mental. Anybody in this world can get addicted to anything; it’s possible for people to get addicted to chocolate, coffee, soda, collecting something, sometimes an addiction can be helpful instead of harmful. Addiction is defined as “an unusually great interest in something or a need to do or have something.” Marijuana fits right into this

When someone hears the word marijuana, they usually think one of two things: “That is a gateway drug to much harder drugs, and it should stay illegal forever to save our children” or “Marijuana is a medicine for so many different illnesses, and industrial hemp can be used for so many things such paper, building material, and much more. Why should it be illegal?” There are a lot of different factors that go into deciding whether something is beneficial or harmful. It is whether the pros really outweigh the cons that should help.

Meanwhile, tobacco and alcohol are highly addictive and dangerous yet are still legal and able to be purchased. Both tobacco and alcohol show symptoms of withdrawal whenever you are without it for some period of time. Marijuana on the other hand does not show any symptoms of withdrawal. While tobacco and alcohol have long term effects on the brain, marijuana does not have long term effects. In a span of 30 minutes of smoking, you may have some short term memory but it does wear off. Marijuana makes most people feel more relaxed and stress free. It also heightens the imagination and improves creativity. Neither tobacco or alcohol have that type of effect on a person. Alcohol makes you appear very unintelligent and you are unaware of what you are saying and alcohol is very dangerous not only to you but the people around you also. Cigarette smoking has caused more than 480,000 deaths and alcohol has caused over millions of deaths. So, if you are okay with tobacco and alcohol being legal, then you should be totally fine with marijuana being legal since it does not harm you in the ways that alcohol and tobacco

One of the biggest proponents for the legalization of marijuana is so that it can be used as medicine. It has been scientifically proven to have a variety of medical uses and may be able to cure or slow the effects of cancer. It is also a very safe drug as said here by Lester Grinspoon, “And it is extraordinarily safe—safer than most medicines prescribed every day. If marijuana were a new discovery rather than a well-known substance carrying cultural and political baggage, it would be hailed as a wonder drug.” I completely agree with the last statement as well. If marijuana was not tied to the cultural baggage that it is a harm causing substance then I am almost certain it would be seen by most of the country as a miracle drug. Currently all over there are pharmaceutical companies

The use, sale and possession of marijuana is still illegal under federal law in the United States. However, it is allowed in 20 states and