The Pros And Cons Of Legalizing Marijuana
Mashal Adamjee
Haake
AP English III
9 October 2014
The Crimes of Cannabis Cannabis, commonly known as marijuana, is the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant that are smoked as a drug. In the states of Washington and Colorado, adults 21 and over are by law allowed to be in possession of up to one ounce of marijuana for any purpose. This creates an easy passageway for marijuana to be obtained by teens and young adults. Although it is said that legalized recreational marijuana has some positive effects on society, it should not be legalized because many signs indicate the overall effects that could take place in the bodies of adolescents could be permanently damaging. “Marijuana has both immediate and long-term effects on a child’s life. …show more content…
While some claim that with the legalization of marijuana, the overall “crime rate is down by 10.1 percent from 2013, while violent crime has decreased by 5.2 percent,” there is still the growing issue of abusing the drug (E). Legalization of marijuana has only been put into action for the past six months, and even though there may be an immediate drop in violence, it does not prove that these effects will be long term. Despite the fact that only a certain amount of marijuana is permitted to be in a one’s possession, people choose to ignore the law and misuse the substance. Though the states of Colorado and Washington have seen a recent “increase in tourism,” as time passes, people residing in the areas permanently will live with an uneasy feeling due to many reckless activities that take place while being on a high (E). Governor John Hickenlooper of Colorado “opposed it from the very beginning” and believes that “Coloradans lacked enough data about health effects in voting for retail pot, and suggested other states should take heed.”
Haake
AP English III
9 October 2014
The Crimes of Cannabis Cannabis, commonly known as marijuana, is the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant that are smoked as a drug. In the states of Washington and Colorado, adults 21 and over are by law allowed to be in possession of up to one ounce of marijuana for any purpose. This creates an easy passageway for marijuana to be obtained by teens and young adults. Although it is said that legalized recreational marijuana has some positive effects on society, it should not be legalized because many signs indicate the overall effects that could take place in the bodies of adolescents could be permanently damaging. “Marijuana has both immediate and long-term effects on a child’s life. …show more content…
While some claim that with the legalization of marijuana, the overall “crime rate is down by 10.1 percent from 2013, while violent crime has decreased by 5.2 percent,” there is still the growing issue of abusing the drug (E). Legalization of marijuana has only been put into action for the past six months, and even though there may be an immediate drop in violence, it does not prove that these effects will be long term. Despite the fact that only a certain amount of marijuana is permitted to be in a one’s possession, people choose to ignore the law and misuse the substance. Though the states of Colorado and Washington have seen a recent “increase in tourism,” as time passes, people residing in the areas permanently will live with an uneasy feeling due to many reckless activities that take place while being on a high (E). Governor John Hickenlooper of Colorado “opposed it from the very beginning” and believes that “Coloradans lacked enough data about health effects in voting for retail pot, and suggested other states should take heed.”