Marijuana Legalization throughout the World Essay - 813 Words

Cannabis, also known as marijuana, is a plant which when consumed has psychoactive effects. It is believed to have been first used in the 3rd millennium BCE in what is now modern-day Romania. Throughout history, it has been known to be used during rituals and ceremonies, becoming an important aspect of numerous cultures. It has become illegal to possess, sell or use marijuana in various countries beginning in the 20th century, despite that it’s used quite commonly. The United Nations has even stated that cannabis is the world’s most widely produced, trafficked and consumed drug in the world, with an estimated 119 to 224 million adult users worldwide. Meanwhile, other, more-lethal substances such as alcohol and tobacco are legal and help†¦show more content†¦The premise behind this is that they see marijuana as a gateway drug, and that people who use it will consequently move towards more hardcore and harmful drugs such as heroin or cocaine. To stop this they ar rest over 700,000 Americans yearly for possession of marijuana. These law-breaking â€Å"convicts† are forced into a prison system that transforms them from first-time offenders into hardened criminals. To enforce this system, the government spends a ludicrous 7.7 billion dollars per year. About 2.4 million people use marijuana for the first time every year and most will never be arrested for it, but some, usually low-income people of color, will. A 2007 study in Washington DC, showed that about an equal amount of whites and blacks admitted to using marijuana, but 92 percent of people arrested for marijuana possession are black and the remaining 8 percent are white. This and many other studies demonstrate that law enforcement is biased in who they arrest. If marijuana were to be legalized, this racial profiling would also cease. As previously stated, the US government spends 7.7 billion dollars per year to stop Americans from using marijuana. Instead of spending so much money to enforce this inefficient system, the government could capitalize on such a profitable market. With the decriminalization of marijuana, more jobs would be created to grow, prepare, transport, advertise and sell the marijuana. Since most of the cost of marijuana results from the risk involvedShow MoreRelatedLegalization of Marijuana1550 Words   |  7 PagesLegalization of Marijuana: Benefits and Statistics The topic of legalizing marijuana has been a topic of controversy for quite some time now not only throughout our local streets, but throughout the local and into the state government. The legalization of marijuana is such a controversial topic because some are for it and some are against it. People are for the legalization because of the great uses it has towards medicine, the money that could come from the taxation of legalized marijuana, andRead MoreEssay about Should We Legalize Marijuana in Canada?1081 Words   |  5 PagesTo Legalize or to Not Legalize: The Debate Behind Marijuana in Canada The legalization of marijuana is an issue that consistently discussed and debated, not only in North America, but throughout the entire world. Despite being illegal in every country, marijuana remains the most widely used illicit drug in the world. The popularity of this drug is the cause for the continuous legalization debate, resulting in various legislations pertaining to the consumption of the substance. Every country hasRead MoreSupport For Marijuana Legalization Against First Age1035 Words   |  5 Pagesof support for the legalization of marijuana as well as three separate age categories (1) 17-39 (2) 40-59 and (3) 60-older. It is worth noting that since the data was collected in 2012 opinions have been bound to shift, specifically in states which have seen statewide recreational legalization, however for the function of the research, the given data produces ample information and analysis which will facilitate with rejection or acceptance of the working hypothesis. Throughou t the duration of theRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?1581 Words   |  7 Pageson drugs† since the late 1900’s, the legalization of marijuana has been a popular topic within the past couple of years. This topic is very controversial due to the fact that many people are unable to see past the bad rap that cannabis has accumulated over past years. Among the other aspects that have already given marijuana a bad reputation, some people are trying to find more and more reasons to postpone the legalization of marijuana. Since the legalization of cannabis in Colorado, Washington andRead MoreThe Issue Of Legalization Of Marijuana1605 Words   |  7 Pagesdangerous world.† This was said by one of the most famous scientists in the United States known as Carl Sagan. Marijuana has been one of the most debated topics in the media today, and numerous years before. Altogether, this debate has raised many questions, yet with very few answers of whether the legalization o f marijuana should be passed, and expressed throughout the nation as a whole. The fight for legalizing marijuana has embraced itself to see success. The legalization of marijuana is essentialRead MoreLegalizing Marijuana in the U.S. Essay1344 Words   |  6 PagesRunning head: LEGALIZATION OF Legalization of Marijuana: A hot topic Tonie J. Moutra GEN 499 Dr. Curt Sobolewski November 26, 2012 The legalization of marijuana for recreational usage could may be a new trend in America but the Federal government will likely oppose usage through the end of time. The Drug Enforcement Administrations (DEA) stance is that marijuana is an illegal drug and that using this drug whether for medicinal or recreational purposes is illegalRead MoreLegalizing Recreational Pot1507 Words   |  7 PagesLegalizing Recreational Pot Heavy marijuana smokers are at risk for some of the same health effects as cigarette smokers, like bronchitis and other respiratory illnesses. Marijuana is the most commonly abused illegal drug in the United States and around the world. Those who support its legalization, for medical or for recreational use, fail to recognize that the greatest costs of marijuana are not related to its prohibition; they are the costs resulting from marijuana use itself. If the United StatesRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?1524 Words   |  7 PagesMarijuana makes you calm. Marijuana reduces stress. Marijuana cures diseases such as cancer. Marijuana is not a drug. Marijuana is a plant; therefore it is not dangerous to one’s health and overall being. Many have heard it all before, the hundreds of reasons as to why marijuana is deemed as a â€Å"safe† drug and why it should be legalized, yet people have not quite heard the hundreds of reasons as to why it should stay illegal. In tod ay’s society, there is a huge controversy on the topic of marijuanaRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?1723 Words   |  7 PagesIn today s world, people are very one-sided on the issues of smoking. There are many types of things that you can smoke but marijuana and cigarettes seem to be the most controversial. Countless amounts of people are against smoking in general, smoking cigarettes, and/or smoking marijuana. Because of the certain setbacks and outlooks on these smoking impacts, the economy adjusts with consumers and non-consumers of both substances. The economy is mainly determined on the types of consumer behaviorRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Essay1443 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿Rhetorical Analysis on â€Å"Here’s Why Legalizing Marijuana Makes Sense† In ‘Here’s Why Legalizing Marijuana Makes Sense’, Alex Newhouse, a lawyer who resides in the area of Sunnyside, Washington addresses the controversial issue of the legalization of cannabis. The sole purpose of Newhouse’s article is to persuade readers and voters that marijuana should be legalized. Throughout his article, Newhouse focuses on the use of ethos and logos, while also slightly focusing on the use of pathos, to help