Marijuana Prohibition: a Loss of Freedom

The Ninth Amendment of the United States Constitution states, "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people." Simply put, this means that, although limited in its scope of rights and privileges, any particular right, even if not mentioned specifically in the Constitution, cannot be taken away from the American people. Yet, the chosen lifestyles of one particular group of people are violated almost every day: marijuana smokers. Victims of social stigmatization and harsh penalties, marijuana smokers must suffer because of the innumerable falsities and fallacies held by many people, including lawmakers, concerning marijuana. However, when an educated mind disregards the misconceptions about marijuana and analyzes the factual information, the relative personal and societal harm caused by marijuana usage does not warrant its overwhelmingly harsh punishment, nor does it merit the economic strain caused by the enforcement of radical prohibition laws.

What Is It?

Marijuana is part of the cannabis family. Considered to be a mild hallucinogen, it produces feelings of euphoria and well-being, a loss of inhibition, an altered sense of time, heightened senses, and, upon high dosage, slight hallucinations. Its active chemical is a cannabinoid called Delta-9 tetrahyrocannabinol, or THC. Research has shown that the human body naturally produces a cannabinoid-like endorphine called anandamine, and that, upon entering the brain, THC locks onto the same receptor cells as does anandamine. THC affects the cerebellum, which coordinates movement and balance; the hippocampus, which dictates thinking and memory; and the rostral ventromedial medulla, in which the pain response is moderated (Booth 12-13).
Damaging and Addictive?
The subject of marijuana's addictive and damaging properties is a hotly debated topic. According to many opponents of marijuana, it is a highly addictive substance. Recent... [continues]

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