LEGALIZING MARIJUANA
No Government should have the authority to ban a natural product. Abuse of power is more dangerous than any drug. However, in 2013 Marijuana Prohibition is still in effect. For decades Marijuana has been portrayed as a harmful drug that causes horrible long term and short term effects. In the 1930s a short film was released called “Reefer Madness” meant to scare society away from Marijuana. Billions of tax payers’ dollars are being used to fight this never ending war that could be invested elsewhere in this financially challenged country. More people currently use, and have used, Marijuana than you think. Some may think the war is with lazy bums and thugs or maybe even associate Marijuana use with a particular race or background but I beg to differ. Marijuana should be preferred over alcohol, used to boost todays’ economy, and used by a majority of people.
Dried leaves, seeds and stems of the naturally grown Hemp plant Cannabis make Marijuana. This plant can be inhaled or digested to obtain a “high” feeling. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the ingredient that gives the “high” affect after ingestion. The chemicals’ effect happens almost immediately when inhaled, while eating and drinking can take the effects up to an hour. Because this plant is naturally grown, just like tobacco, makes some question why it is illegal and classified as a Schedule 1 drug along with Heroin and LSD (narconon.org)? Unlike Heroin and LSD, it is almost impossible to overdose on Marijuana and die. Alcohol is a deadly drug known to increase the chance of different cancers while marijuana has been used to treat cancers. So why was the plant outlawed in 1937 for medical and recreational use? Heavy campaigning from U.S. Federal Bureau of Narcotics (now the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs) (narconon.org) and advertisements from sources like “reefer madness” and local newspapers contributed to the banning of Marijuana. A plant that was used in...