A Look at the Ethics of Marijuana
A Look at the Ethics of Marijuana Legalization
Martha Hays
SOC120: Introduction to Ethics and Social Responsibility
Instructor Michelle Gardener
March 18, 2013
A Look at the Ethics of Marijuana Legalization
The topic that I am writing my paper on is legalizing marijuana. The topic of legalizing marijuana is controversial and often debated. In this paper I will discuss the ethical issues that come up on both sides of the issue as well as my own personal opinion. With marijuana legalization being a topic that I have heard a lot about and read up on the purpose of my paper will be to discuss the ethical issues that are put forth by both sides. I recently read an article that states, there’s no good reason for any government to ban marijuana, which causes demonstrably less harm then legal alcohol and tobacco; rather , it is marijuana prohibition that is harmful—to otherwise law-abiding citizens and to taxpayers (legalizing Marijuana: the states case, 2012). This if true makes me wonder why alcohol and tobacco are legal and marijuana is not. There are many pros and cons in the debate on marijuana legalization. Both the people for it and those that oppose it have valid points.
In this paragraph I will discuss the legal history of marijuana in the United States. Marijuana is a popular drug in the United States. It is known by many names, they include ganga, pot, and cannabis. Marijuana was first included in what was called the Poison Act in 1907, although I was not able to learn much about it in my research. I do not believe that it was ever enforced. I read an article in the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs that states, The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 effectively outlawed the drug throughout the United States (Duke, S.B., 2010, p. 84). This act made it illegal to possess or sale marijuana unless you paid a tax. The possession of marijuana was given mandatory sentencing in the Narcotics Control Act of 1956; this was overturned in 1970 by congress. In
Martha Hays
SOC120: Introduction to Ethics and Social Responsibility
Instructor Michelle Gardener
March 18, 2013
A Look at the Ethics of Marijuana Legalization
The topic that I am writing my paper on is legalizing marijuana. The topic of legalizing marijuana is controversial and often debated. In this paper I will discuss the ethical issues that come up on both sides of the issue as well as my own personal opinion. With marijuana legalization being a topic that I have heard a lot about and read up on the purpose of my paper will be to discuss the ethical issues that are put forth by both sides. I recently read an article that states, there’s no good reason for any government to ban marijuana, which causes demonstrably less harm then legal alcohol and tobacco; rather , it is marijuana prohibition that is harmful—to otherwise law-abiding citizens and to taxpayers (legalizing Marijuana: the states case, 2012). This if true makes me wonder why alcohol and tobacco are legal and marijuana is not. There are many pros and cons in the debate on marijuana legalization. Both the people for it and those that oppose it have valid points.
In this paragraph I will discuss the legal history of marijuana in the United States. Marijuana is a popular drug in the United States. It is known by many names, they include ganga, pot, and cannabis. Marijuana was first included in what was called the Poison Act in 1907, although I was not able to learn much about it in my research. I do not believe that it was ever enforced. I read an article in the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs that states, The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 effectively outlawed the drug throughout the United States (Duke, S.B., 2010, p. 84). This act made it illegal to possess or sale marijuana unless you paid a tax. The possession of marijuana was given mandatory sentencing in the Narcotics Control Act of 1956; this was overturned in 1970 by congress. In
References: Armento, P. (2012) Marijuana should be legalized and regulated. US News and World Report, retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1034718196?accountid=32521 Duke, S. B. (2010). Cannabis Captiva: Freeing the world from marijuana prohibition. Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, 11(2), 83-90. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/910990356?accountid=32521 United Nations, International Narcotics Control Board for 2010, (New York, NY, United Nations publications, 2010) p. 70 retrieved from http://www.inch.org/pdf/annualreport/2010/cn/AR2010englishpdf Mosser, K. (2010) Introduction to ethics and social responsibility, San Diego. Bridgepoint Education retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/books/AUSOC120.10.2/sections/sec1.7# Editorial: Legalizing Marijuana: The States Case. (2012, Dec. 27). McClatchy- Tribune Business News. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1243776830?accountid=32521