Argumentative Essay: The Legalization Of Marijuana

Sarah Gilliam
Ms. Catania
English 2000, Section 66
7 March, 2013
The Legalization of Marijuana
Pot, grass, weed, hash, and ganja or just a few of over 200 slang terms used to describe one very important issue in today’s society. One of the biggest topics up for debate, which has risen in popularity within the last couple years, is the discussion on the legalization of marijuana. There are several affiliated areas discussed within this essay exposing the arguments, stakeholders, and reasoning for why marijuana should or should not be legalized. Between the state and federal law contradictions, the issue of legalization of marijuana for pharmaceutical or recreational use in the United States affects not only the policy makers and medicinal
Studies show that adolescent marijuana usage for children under the age of sixteen who are still developing their cognitive and social skills are at a high risk of developing DSM-IV clinical symptoms, mental health disorders, later on in life. A study done by the institutional review boards of wake Forest University Health Sciences and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio showed that psychological impairments “may relate to these individuals’ increased risk for future psychiatric conditions, including psychotic and affective disorders as well as more severe substance use disorders” (Acheson, et al., “Impulsivity, attention, memory, and decision-making among adolescent marijuana users”). Considering all the negative effects on an adolescent’s brain, research for recreational purposes is viewed by many as unnecessary. The argument is to consider the growing minds of our children so we can have a productive society in the future. Negative effects found on adolescents’ causes disapproval from the voters and can negativity affect the medical research by keeping it completely illegal. Addiction to marijuana arises more often today in adolescents and adults due to the more relaxed attitudes of the risks involved as stated in “Marijuana Legalization.” As stated in Acheson’s analysis, an article published by Cambridge University
It has been proven, through multiple tests, analyses, and researches, that marijuana does indeed have specific reasons for recreational use. There are those that believe that no good can come out of legalizing marijuana and therefore strongly advocate their position on banning the notion. Drug abuse and the harm it inflicts on others is a popular topic among marijuana controversies. In order to bring awareness to the risks involved when using marijuana “the Office of National Drug Control Policy is working to reduce the use of marijuana and other illicit drugs through development of strategies that fully integrate the principles of prevention, treatment, and recovery…” (“Marijuana Legalization”, The White House Washington). Not only are there health risks involved in consuming marijuana, other factors that would occur because of ratification include: Increase of use because of lowered price, tax revenue would be offset by higher social costs, and it would further burden the justice system. Taking into account all the facts and medical uses for cannabis, an informed voter can finally make a decision based on logic instead of