Marijuana Legalization
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The Case for Marijuana Legalization The legalization of marijuana has been a very controversial case for decades, with strong arguments on either side.
For most of the 20th century and beyond, it has been illegal in the United States and other countries, turning its sale and usage into a vast underground market that has gone untapped by any professional outlet. Some say that it is a harmful, addictive drug that leads to health detriments down the line for those who use it. However, there are others who claim that it is perfectly safe, not addictive, and could be an incredible source of income for a legitimate economy. The legalization of marijuana has the potential to create an incredible revenue stream of a highly demanded product that is safe to use. In this essay, the pros and cons of marijuana legalization will be explored and discussed. First, marijuana has not been shown or verified to have any detrimental effects on the human body. Also, marijuana has a substantial history of medical and clinical applications for people with certain conditions. Medical marijuana is often used as an anesthetic in a large number of countries all around the world (Koch, 2006). Glaucoma is another condition in which medical marijuana is distributed to patients, as it helps alleviate the symptoms and increase comfort in the person suffering, including lowering eye pressure (Southall, 2010). Fifteen states, as well as the District of Columbia, currently allow medical marijuana to be sold and prescribed to its citizens to this day (New York Times, 2011). Ostensibly, medical marijuana’s purpose is to relieve pain, nausea, and loss of appetite in those patients who have debilitating conditions, such as cancer or AIDS. Marijuana, if legalized, could bring in substantial tax revenue for state and federal governments, a blessing in today’s economically charged climate.
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Class Title
Date
The Case for Marijuana Legalization The legalization of marijuana has been a very controversial case for decades, with strong arguments on either side.
For most of the 20th century and beyond, it has been illegal in the United States and other countries, turning its sale and usage into a vast underground market that has gone untapped by any professional outlet. Some say that it is a harmful, addictive drug that leads to health detriments down the line for those who use it. However, there are others who claim that it is perfectly safe, not addictive, and could be an incredible source of income for a legitimate economy. The legalization of marijuana has the potential to create an incredible revenue stream of a highly demanded product that is safe to use. In this essay, the pros and cons of marijuana legalization will be explored and discussed. First, marijuana has not been shown or verified to have any detrimental effects on the human body. Also, marijuana has a substantial history of medical and clinical applications for people with certain conditions. Medical marijuana is often used as an anesthetic in a large number of countries all around the world (Koch, 2006). Glaucoma is another condition in which medical marijuana is distributed to patients, as it helps alleviate the symptoms and increase comfort in the person suffering, including lowering eye pressure (Southall, 2010). Fifteen states, as well as the District of Columbia, currently allow medical marijuana to be sold and prescribed to its citizens to this day (New York Times, 2011). Ostensibly, medical marijuana’s purpose is to relieve pain, nausea, and loss of appetite in those patients who have debilitating conditions, such as cancer or AIDS. Marijuana, if legalized, could bring in substantial tax revenue for state and federal governments, a blessing in today’s economically charged climate.
Cited: Bensinger, Peter and Dixie, Dora “Marijuana is Bad Medicine, Bad Policy" USA Today. 24 Nov. 1992: 6A. LexisNexis. Caulkins, Jonathan P. “Estimated Cost of Production for Legalized Cannabis”. July, 2010. Working Paper Easton, Stephen. "Marijuana growth in British Columbia" Public Policy Sources. May, 2004. Print. Gettman, Jon. "Marijuana in New York". The Bulletin of Cannabis Reform. November 5, 2009. Drugpolicy.org Nadelmann, Ethan. "An End To Marijuana Prohibition" National Review. July 12, 2004. Print. New York Times. "Marijuana and Medical Marijuana - The New York Times." Times Topics. 11 Feb. 2011. <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/m/marijuana/index.html?sc p=1&sq=legalize%20marijuana&st=cse>. Southall, Ashley. “Washington,D.C., Approves Medical Use of Marijuana.” The New York Times (2011): 17. Academic Search Premier. Vitiello, Michael