Download Legalizing Marijuana

Legalizing Marijuana
By: Eisley Minten
Thesis
 The purpose of this study is to explore the drug, marijuana and how it can have either a
negative or positive effect on people. Also, the study will explore the different
perspectives people have on marijuana. More specifically focusing on the question how
the government’s views the drug and the impact legalization can have to society. This
study will analyze the history of marijuana how it affects the body and brain, political
views, taxation and medical use. As this study is going on, there will always be a
continuous disagreement on whether this drug should be legalized or not as it already had
been a controversial topic for many.
Pros
 1. Revenue increase
 2. More Effective Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement.
-focus more on violent crimes, while crowded prisons are freed of space.
 3. Less Money to Support Organized Crime.
 4. Safety Controls.
 5. Wider Access for Medicinal Use.
People inside and outside the medical field argue that marijuana is effective in treating a range of
health conditions, including Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis (MS) and posttraumatic stress
disorder (PTSD).
 6. Personal Freedom.
Cons
 1. Addictive Nature
 2. Altered Personality
 3. Gateway Drug
 4. Danger of Second-Hand Smoke
 5. Damage to the Brain
 6. Poor Lung Health
 7. Risk of Getting Heart Disease
 8. Poor Mental Health.
Taxation
STAT: “In recent study 19.3 million people have used marijuana at least once in the year, of
whom 5.3 million used at least once a week and 3.1 million daily” (NORMAL,2014)
 The government could legalize marijuana in every state and could put a tax on it to help
the government
 States with possible upcoming ballot initiatives should take note of effective and
ineffective methods of taxing marijuana as the issue is likely to expand.
 Now, some people believe that the legalization of weed could be revenue generator in
the form of new taxes applied to its sale and distribution.
 Taxing the drug could raise millions of dollars each year.
Brain/Body
 There are absolutely zero people who have died from the use of marijuana
 Consuming or smoking this drug you get the sense of euphoria or a feeling of being
“high.”
 A change in a person’s mood is usually altered to being calm and relaxed or the comlete
opposite by feeling panicked.
 Heart rate increases
 Hallucinations occur
 When one is coming down from a high they might experience depression
Medical Use
 Fact: Eight out of ten Americans support the medical use of marijuana. On the other hand,
3 out of 4 Americans support recreational smokers to be punished only by fine not jail time
(NORMAL, 2014)
 Can help cure different diseases or get rid of symptoms
 In many states, including Massachusetts, California and New Jersey, it is legal to use
medical marijuana.
Work Cited
 Cox, By Lauren. "Marijuana: Effects of Weed on Brain and Body." Live Science. TechMedia
Network, 23 June 2014. Web. 26 Feb. 2016
 "Marijuana: Effects, Medical Uses & Legalization - Drugs.com." Marijuana: Effects, Medical
 Uses & Legalization - Drugs.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2016.
 Marijuana: Facts on the Drug and Its Effects on the Brain." MedicineNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb.
2016
 "Top 10 Pros and Cons - Medical Marijuana - ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines. N.p., n.d. Web.
26 Feb. 2016
 "Economical Pros and Cons of Medical Marijuana." Theweedwar. N.p., 08 Feb. 2012. Web. 26
Feb. 2016.
 "NORML.org - Working to Reform Marijuana Laws." Revenues From Legalization. NORML, June
1994. Web. 26 Feb. 2016