Preview

Should Marijuana Remain an Illegal Substance

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1920 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Should Marijuana Remain an Illegal Substance
MARIJUANA SHOULD REMAIN AN ILLEGAL SUBSTANCE

Marijuana has become a more and more acceptable drug over the past few years despite its many side effects, not only on the user, but also on society as a whole. Due to these side effects on society and the marijuana user, it would be in the best interest of everyone that marijuana remains an illegal substance. On one side of the issue you have marijuana users saying that it is their choice on whether or not they should be allowed to smoke marijuana. The question we have to ask ourselves is, are individual freedoms so important that we are willing to allow these individual freedoms to continue without consequence, even if their actions are harmful. The purpose of this essay will be to put forth a strong argument that will prove that marijuana should remain an illegal substance. Before I go any further I want to clear up a few things. When I say that marijuana should remain illegal I mean that in Canada marijuana use and trafficking should be treating exactly the way it is now under the Criminal Code of Canada. I don't mean that there should be anymore restrictions placed upon marijuana. I also mean that the exceptions where marijuana use is allowed should remain the same. Secondly when I refer to marijuana use and marijuana users I am only talking about when the substance is smoked I am not talking about any other methods in which marijuana is used.

The most obvious reason it keep marijuana use illegal is the harmful effects it has on the smoker. Some of the short term effects of marijuana use include: problems with memory and learning, distorted perception, trouble with thinking and problem solving, loss of co-ordination, and increased heart rate (due to possible anxiety).
The long-term effects include cancer; damages to the lungs and airways; and finally damages to the immune system. Studies show that someone who smokes five joints per week may be taking in as much cancer causing chemicals as someone

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Our side has a concession. Marijuana is not an awful drug. Comparatively, it has few bad effects on the human body, and in some cases, admittedly, it can be medically useful or socially acceptable. However, it's not something that should be legalised.…

    • 560 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Legalization of Marijuana

    • 871 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Groups that advocate against the legalization of marijuana center their argument on several major points; legalization may increase the number of people using it and more criminals are on the streets. Moreover, it has been implied to be a gateway drug to more illicit drugs. A quote from President Barrack Obama states:…

    • 871 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Medical Marijuana

    • 1773 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Marijuana is a very prominent and controversial issue in society today. Although many slanderous claims have been made about cannabis in recent history, the truths are slowly starting to resurface. Unfortunately, these truths are under heavy criticism due to the stereotypical view of what people view as the typical “pot smoker.” This skewed perception of a lazy and unmotivated American is the result of over seventy years of propaganda and misinformation spread by private interests who relied on illegal cannabis illegal from their own personal gains. As a marijuana consumer and a current medical marijuana patient, I strongly believe that marijuana should be legalized for all users. Currently in the United States today, marijuana is prohibited by federal law and has been a topic of controversial debate since the start of the prohibition. There are several, important reasons for the legalization of marijuana, including research concerning these issues are beneficial in understanding both sides of the debate. The result of abolishing our country’s marijuana prohibition by supporting legalization will stimulate the economy, to show the medical properties, and lower the crime rate.…

    • 1773 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Marijuana is one of the most controversial topics in the U.S today. Many associate the substance with some of the most highly addictive and dangerous drugs used in our society. While others claim marijuana to be the safest substance to use to date. One of the biggest debatable topics amongst marijuana use is the legalization of the substance medically. Many people believe marijuana should be accessible to those with terminally ill diseases. While others believe the drug should be illegal at all cost. Medical marijuana presents many negative issues in our society emotionally, medically and socially. Due to the negative effects from the substance, the use of marijuana should remain illegal in the United States.…

    • 1079 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Legalization of Marijuana

    • 3597 Words
    • 15 Pages

    Several topics in modern day society cause controversy, but one topic that out ranks them all is the legalization of marijuana. The main argument is whether not marijuana should be treated the same as already legalized drugs, such as tobacco and alcohol. Many Americans use marijuana illegally; the people using the drug range from the age of teens to even adults in their eighties. Marijuana is considered by most, especially in legal terms, as a dangerous drug. Although the drug is seen as such, many still continue to use it and argue it should be legalized for several reasons. Both citizens and government officials alike debate this topic. To successfully develop and argument for the legalization of marijuana the topic must be defined, the history of the topic must be unveiled, an argument must be made, and a good solution should be proposed. Yes, both sides of the argument both have well supported positions, but marijuana should be legalized by the United States government because the facts supporting legalization far outweigh the arguments keeping the drug as it is.…

    • 3597 Words
    • 15 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    If there was a vote in every state to either legalize or to not legalize the use of marijuana the outcome would be the legalization of marijuana in every state. The question I have is why do so many Americans enjoy smoking marijuana? This is a huge ongoing issue that is being resolved as fast as possible. Personally, I’m against the legalization of marijuana because I see no reason for it. In this essay, I will be arguing why marijuana should not be legalized in all states. I will give counter-arguments to show why marijuana should be illegal and I will be giving the readers all the information needed to fully understand why my argument is correct. You will see questions with answers as well as facts to advance my argument.…

    • 1447 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Marijuana Ethics

    • 2014 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Marijuana is one of the most popular drugs in the United States, third only behind tobacco and alcohol. It is estimated that nearly 80 million residents will try it on at least one occasion in their life. A recent survey shows that a quarter of these individuals have dried Marijuana in the last year and that more than half of these users are habitual users. The idea of marijuana use, whether it is for medicinal or recreational purposes is an ethical issue that is often considered by both the government and citizens. In this paper I will speak to the uses, benefits, possible concerns and possible ethical issues that could be created through the legalization of marijuana.…

    • 2014 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    marijuana is a gateway drug, or a stepping-stone to harder more dangerous drugs. The war…

    • 2188 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal substance in United States and in many other countries; this is a statement that seems to be in each article that is written about the legalization of marijuana. This is a subject that has been up for debate for quite a few years now. There are many people who support the legalization of this drug and are strongly convinced that marijuana is not a drug in which one should be punished for, but rather a drug that should not be frowned upon and seen as a way to help our nation economically and medically. On the other end, there are also many people who support the criminalization of marijuana and believe it is a drug that should remain illegal or else further use of the drug may increase and become dangerous. There was a time in history when the use of marijuana was quite popular until it became illegal, like many other substances, it did not stop people from using. The question still remains, should marijuana be legalized? Throughout this writing piece, information regarding different views and opinions on the legalization of marijuana will be presented, along with positive and negative effects this would have on our nation economically and medically.…

    • 1383 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Did you know that almost half of the population in the United States belongs in jail, according to the law on marijuana? It’s true. In 2008 Time Magazine reported that researchers had found more than 42% of people surveyed in the United States had tried marijuana at least once (Lynch, 2008). So if marijuana use is so common in the United States, why should it not be legalized? In this paper I will discuss both the supporting and opposing positions on the legalization of marijuana. I will also explore the moral and ethical views for legalizing marijuana.…

    • 757 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Dangers of Marijuana

    • 489 Words
    • 2 Pages

    There are many life threatening, as well as psychological, dangers due to the use of marijuana. Life threatening dangers include lung cancer, trouble breathing, a weakened immune system, asthma, poor driving ability, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and reproduction problems. Effects marijuana has on the brain include poor short term memory, a short attention span, schizophrenia, and addiction withdrawal. These dangers are associated with the prolonged use of marijuana, and may cause permanent damage.…

    • 489 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    One reason this should remain illegal is because people start getting very addicted to it.Second reason this should stay illegal is this experiment hasn't worked out so well for Amsterdam. Amsterdam is the most famous place across the world that has effectively legalized Marijuana. It has even turned into a tourist destination for people who do Marijuana . Legalizing Marijuana hasn't been a huge success there.Third reason is Marijuana is terrible for your mental health. Marijuana may even be worse than cigarettes. One more reason Marijuana is bad is Marijuana is terrible for your physical health. Marijuana is even more toxic than cigarettes smoke. Even small amounts of marijuana can cause temporary sterility and it has a terrible impact on…

    • 221 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    I don't understand why cannabis is still illegal in this country. To this day, I have not heard an intelligent argument against the legalization and regulation of cannabis. There is so much negative controversy that we get from supports. The fact is, many people would outlaw fast food, cigarettes, and tanning beds because of the harm that they cause America. But this is America and there is about their freedom and this is about their choice. Give the people in our states the choice to enjoy…

    • 574 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    These side effects may actually be some of the reasons people do this drug. Unlike the short term effects, the long term effects of the marijuana are more sever and disfavorable by marijuana users. They not only include physical illnesses such as suppression of the immune system, disorder of growth and destruction of lungs (van Ours and Williams, 2010) but also increases “risk for mental illnesses that include, for example, mood disorders and psychosis” (Wright, 2015, p. 1)…

    • 1405 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    I do not have one

    • 954 Words
    • 3 Pages

    “In any civilized society, it is every citizen’s responsibility to obey just laws. But at the same time, it is every citizens responsibility to disobey unjust laws.” Martin Luther King Jr. The topic of legalizing marijuana is a very conversational issue in American politics today. Although many malicious claims have been made about marijuana, the truths are slowly beginning to resurface. Unfortunately, these truths are under heavy criticism due to the stereotypical view of what people view as a typical “pot smoker”. This is the problem with society. Marijuana is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within groups of people. It is the mode of thinking that happens when the desire for harmony in a decision-making group overrides a realistic appraisal of alternatives. Group members try to minimize conflict and reach a consensus decision without critical evaluation of alternative ideas or viewpoints. Some of us are better educated in some areas more than others. Those who don’t know enough facts or realizations about the topic, automatically go with what everyone else believes is right without even learning about it. This results into misinformation spread by those who don’t even necessarily know exactly what they are talking about. Marijuana can be used for medical purposes, but it is no lessharmful than alcohol or Tabaco if used in moderation, and it could be a source of additional tax revenues.…

    • 954 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics