Legalizing Marijuana, An Ethical Perspective
Legalizing Marijuana: An Ethical Perspective
In today’s society, many ethical concerns arise on a daily basis, especially when it comes to the topic of legalizing marijuana. Many individuals have relied on the fact that marijuana was illegal, when determining whether smoking it should be considered unethical. However, many studies have shown that the effects of marijuana are not as detrimental as they were once made out to be. Legalizing marijuana can be an extremely controversial topic because several people have strong beliefs concerning why it should not be legalized, while a significant amount of people have stronger arguments, as to why it should be legalized. When it comes to looking at the ethical standpoint of legalizing marijuana, everyone has a different interpretation as to why marijuana should or should not be legalized. This is because everyone’s sense of morals and values differ from one another. Legalizing marijuana for medicinal and recreational use would be beneficial for large amounts of people for many reasons.
The theory of utilitarianism implies that the proper course of action should be the one, which benefits the greatest number of people. Many aspects of legalizing marijuana should be considered when determining if the benefits outweigh the risks. Several states have passed laws, which govern the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. In fact, over twenty states, as well as the District of Columbia have enacted laws that govern the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes only. The increasing number of physicians implying that they would use marijuana medicinally for their patients shows that there are many benefits, which could derive from using the substance. A study conducted by American herbalist showed, “79.5 percent of professional members stated that if there were not legal prohibitions they would use cannabis clinically” (Romm & Romm, 2010, p. 25). This study also implies that the top reasons for prescribing marijuana
In today’s society, many ethical concerns arise on a daily basis, especially when it comes to the topic of legalizing marijuana. Many individuals have relied on the fact that marijuana was illegal, when determining whether smoking it should be considered unethical. However, many studies have shown that the effects of marijuana are not as detrimental as they were once made out to be. Legalizing marijuana can be an extremely controversial topic because several people have strong beliefs concerning why it should not be legalized, while a significant amount of people have stronger arguments, as to why it should be legalized. When it comes to looking at the ethical standpoint of legalizing marijuana, everyone has a different interpretation as to why marijuana should or should not be legalized. This is because everyone’s sense of morals and values differ from one another. Legalizing marijuana for medicinal and recreational use would be beneficial for large amounts of people for many reasons.
The theory of utilitarianism implies that the proper course of action should be the one, which benefits the greatest number of people. Many aspects of legalizing marijuana should be considered when determining if the benefits outweigh the risks. Several states have passed laws, which govern the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. In fact, over twenty states, as well as the District of Columbia have enacted laws that govern the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes only. The increasing number of physicians implying that they would use marijuana medicinally for their patients shows that there are many benefits, which could derive from using the substance. A study conducted by American herbalist showed, “79.5 percent of professional members stated that if there were not legal prohibitions they would use cannabis clinically” (Romm & Romm, 2010, p. 25). This study also implies that the top reasons for prescribing marijuana
References: Crowe, A. (2012, Feb. 9). Stoned drivers safer than drunks? Retrieved from http://money.msn.com/insurance/stoned-drivers-safer-than-drunks-carinsurance.aspx Dinan, S. (2013, Aug. 30). As an experiment with drugs, feds mellow out on state marijuana laws. The Washington Times. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bwh&AN=4KB520130830020941000001&site=eds-live NORML, (1996, Feb. 3). About marijuana: Faqs. Retrieved from http://norml.org/marijuana/faq#question1 NORML. (1996, Feb. 3). Principles of responsible use. Retrieved from http://norml.org/aboutmarijuana/item/principles-of-responsible-use PR Newswire. (2012, Nov. 7). Medical marijuana inc. sees growth opportunities for its portfolio company with historic Washington 502 vote to legalize marijuana for recreational use, Massachusetts new medical marijuana initiative and Michigan vote to decriminalize marijuana in four major cities. PR Newswire US, Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bwh&AN=201211071539PR.NEWS.USPR.NE08355&site=eds-live Romm, A., & Romm, T. (2010). Ahg professional member survey: Medicinal use of cannabis.. American herbalists guild. Journal of the American Herbalists Guild, 9(2), 25-36. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=c8h&AN=2011179637&site=eds-live Sullum, J. (2013). The war over weed: if you know why marijuana was banned, you know why it should be legalized. Reason, 44(8), 650. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsgao&AN=edsgcl.310741408&site=eds-live