homemadebubbler

Hey. Just thought Id popst up my 12 page senior paper on the legalization of marijuana. If yo have any ideas or suggestions post them up. IF you think I should add anythging let me know No plagerising, cause if my school is half intelligent they'll find this page. Enjoy....

Since the 1600's, Americans have grown and used Cannabis sativa, one of the two herbs from which marijuana is produced. It originally was cultivated to make cloth, rope, and paper. Today, marijuana is a drug used by millions of people around the globe. Spanning across all ages, all races, and all professions, marijuana is a substance used for thousands of years for countless reasons. Many people view it as a dangerous and harmful substance that leads to drug addictions, violence, and even death. However, this is simply not true. Marijuana is a near harmless drug, one that should be legalized for responsible use, by responsible adults over the age of 21, much like alcohol is.
The history of the legality of marijuana is an interesting topic in itself. In the early 1900's, many farms in the Western United States used Mexican labor as hired help on their farms. At the same time, jazz music was booming in major Eastern and Midwestern cities. Both of these groups had a tendency to use marijuana. At this time it was unheard of in most white communities, and legal for all use. In 1930 a man named Harry Anslinger was made the head of a new division of the US government called the Department of Narcotics. He was a man hungry for power, money, and expansion of his agency. He believed that by outlawing marijuana, and arresting the minorities who used it, he would gain power for his agency, as well get rid of many Mexicans, who during the Great Depression were laboring on farms and taking work from white Americans. One of Anslinger's more famous quotes is, “There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz, and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and any others.” (Harry Anslinger 1937 Senate Hearing on marijuana)
It is clear that the initial prohibition against marijuana was simply a racist and unscientific act in an attempt to gain money and power. From then on, yellow journalism, or unethical and often racists journalism full of unfounded propaganda, spread blaming marijuana for murders, rapes, and psychological disorders, usually involving minorities. In 1937 the Marijuana Tax Act was passed, and in 1970 a new Controlled Substance Act was passed reinforcing its illegality. Today, marijuana remains illegal yet is used every day by millions of hard working people.
The immediate dangers of marijuana are very few, especially in comparison to the legal substances alcohol and tobacco. The most important fact regarding the dangers of marijuana is that it is physically impossible to die from an overdose. Whereas, in 2001, 75,000 people in the United States alone died from the legal drug alcohol, and each year in the United States over 500,000 people die from tobacco smoking; not one death in the entire world has ever been tied to marijuana use alone (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Some studies, most in the 1970's, cite marijuana's tendency for addiction. However, there is no addicting chemical in marijuana, such as nicotine in cigarettes. Marijuana addiction is simply a psychological addiction, just the same as some people can become psychologically addicted to alcohol, food, sex, or any other activity.
Marijuana is also believed to make people lazy and non-motivational. However, consistent use of any drug, including alcohol, is bound to make people unproductive members of society. Most Americans who only use marijuana use it on occasionally, and studies have shown as few as 1% of marijuana smokers use the drug on a regular basis. In fact in working adults, marijuana users tend to earn slightly higher wages then nonusers, and when looking at college students who use marijuana versus those who do now, there is no difference between grades.
Often, memory loss is also accredited to marijuana use. It is also said to kill brain cells. However, these myths are based on studies done over a quarter century ago. One of these studies involved forcing six monkies to breath the equivalent of four to five marijuana cigarettes a day for a year. Recent studies done by countries around the world have found no evidence of loss of brain cells or activity. While subjects under the influence of marijuana do have a hard time recalling information and learning new information, these effects are only temporary, and all brain functions return to normal after they stopped smoking marijuana.
It is clear that most of the dangers of marijuana are based on scientific studies done haphazardly in the 1960's and 1970's, when science was not as advanced as it is now. Unfortunately, the United States almost never grants permission for groups to do independent studies, preventing any new information regarding the safety of marijuana to surface. Many people feel that the government does not want to take a soft stance on drugs, and that by allowing studies to be done, they might find research contrary to what they have been preaching for the last four decades. However, studies are being done by other countries, especially Canada and many European countries, that consistently contrast the studies this country is basing all of their information on. That being said, nearly every fact about the dangers of marijuana has either been entirely debunked or no information has been found to provide a scientific basis for the supposed dangers.
The gateway theory is an idea thrown around a lot by the US government and other anti marijuana groups. Its basis is that marijuana use leads people on to harder and more dangerous drugs. While it is true that nearly every person who uses hard drugs such as cocaine or heroin has at one point in time used marijuana; it is also true that the vast majority of people who use marijuana never try any harder drugs. In 2004, 14.6 million Americans admitted to using marijuana in the last month, and over 83 million have admitted to trying it at some point in their lives (National Institute on Drug Abuse - The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction). It is clear that there are nowhere near this many people who use hard drugs. It is safe to assume that most people drink caffeine before they first drink alcohol. However, not everyone who drinks caffeine drinks alcohol, and it would be ludicrous to say that caffeine is a gateway drug to alcohol.
More studies have linked marijuana use to depression and anxiety attacks. However, many studies have shown that anxiety attacks are rare, and when they do occur, they are short lived and minor. Depression also only usually occurs when there is a preexisting condition of depression. In other words, marijuana does not cause depression, but when used by people who are already depressed, it may aggravate these symptoms.
Smoking any substance, including marijuana, releases harmful chemicals that can lead to cancer, especially in the lungs. It is also true that marijuana contains four to five more carcinogenic chemicals then tobacco. However, its is important to remember that the average tobacco smoker smokes one to two packs of cigarettes a day. This is twenty to forty cigarettes a day. The average marijuana smoker does not smoke marijuana every day. For a marijuana smoker to inhale the same amount of carcinogenic chemicals as the average tobacco smoker, he would have to smoke five to ten joints a day, every day, a practice almost unheard of. It is also important to remember that marijuana does not have to be smoked. By cooking with it, or vaporizing it, all of the chemicals are released, with none of the cancer causing agents ever entering a person's body. In fact, a recent study released in April of 2007 by Harvard, shows that THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, actually cuts the rate of the growth of cancer in half, while impeding its ability to spread to other body parts.
Another pseudo fact thrown around is that marijuana today is far more potent then that of the marijuana smoked in the 70's. Studies done have shown that marijuana confiscated in the 70's contained as little as 1% THC, while marijuana confiscated in this decade contain up to 30%. These facts are quite skewed. Marijuana with 1% potency would not produce any psychedelic effects. In other words, it would not get the user intoxicated, regardless of how much is smoked. The tests done on this marijuana was done after it was poorly stored and allowed to degrade. Also, the current national average is much lower. It stands at around 5.32% (p. 53).
With marijuana, much like alcohol, there is a very fine line between use and abuse. Most marijuana users can manage their habits, without any negative interference with their lives. However, just like alcohol, a safe drug when used responsibly, some people cannot control themselves, and loose control of their habits, letting it run their lives. However, this is related to the choices people make, not the substance itself that is ruining their lives. Anyone who uses any drug, be it marijuana, alcohol, or even something as simple as Tylenol, needs to be mature enough and have enough restraint to not get carried away and hurt themselves.
Smoking and driving is a concern that comes up frequently. Much like alcohol, marijuana impairs a person who smokes it and could create unsafe driving conditions. Obviously no one should use any substance that impairs them and drive; however, on the scale of marijuana and alcohol, marijuana is much safer in terms of impaired driving. Seven studies have been conducted concerning driving while under the influence of marijuana versus alcohol. In accidents where marijuana is the only intoxicant found in the driver's system, the ratio of crashes is not significantly larger then that of non drug users. (p. 63) Also, people under the influence of alcohol tend to be riskier drivers. However, drivers under the influence of marijuana are usually much more careful, driving slower, taking less risks and driving in an overall safer manner. Simulations done show that people under the influence of marijuana do not have significantly reduced driving skills.
Do the dangers of marijuana warrant so much time and money being spent on combating it? The Drug War in our country is a war that has been fought for decades, and is still being fought today. However, it is a war that might not be able to be won, and is simply a drain on our economy and law enforcement. In 2006, nearly 830,000 people were arrested for marijuana related charges(FBI — Federal Bureau of Investigation Homepage), which is more then the population of the entire state of South Dakota (or the city of San Fransisco). 89%, or 738,915 of these arrests were solely for possession, not sale or cultivation. Over 8 million Americans have been arrested in the past 10 years for marijuana charges (FBI — Federal Bureau of Investigation Homepage). In 2006, the number of people arrested for marijuana use greatly exceeded people arrested in the United Sates for all violent crimes, including murder, rape, assault, and robbery. So what did that cost the average American who has never smoked marijuana in his or her life? Enforcing marijuana prohibition cost American taxpayers roughly 40 billion dollars (Drug Policy Alliance), and ties up law enforcement officers, courts and prisons, taking attention and manpower away from people who commit violent acts. With basically the same amount of people using marijuana, it is clear that the laws and systems in place do not work to deter marijuana use and only put a strain on an already struggling legal system. Also, the 40 billion dollars that is spent on the national drug control budget, could be spent on much more beneficial causes, such as education, national defense, or to stimulate the economy.
So why is marijuana illegal in America? This is a complicated and touchy issue. One of the major reasons is because marijuana is simply seen as taboo by conservative members of our government and country. However, in six more liberal places, such as Denver Colorado, Massachusetts and others, marijuana has already been decriminalized. That is, police will view simple possession as a back burner issue and violators will be cited with something much like a parking ticket.**
By decriminalizing or legalizing marijuana, all of problems would be alleviated. For one thing, it would take a large strain off taxpayers and law enforcement. Also, by legalizing and taxing marijuana, the government could make a profit, much like they do with tobacco and alcohol. And believe it or not, by legalizing marijuana it would make it harder for minors to obtain. A recent study showed that most high school students say marijuana is far easier to obtain then alcohol***, which requires someone over 21 to buy. If the government did create a program to tax and sell marijuana, it would also destroy the black market for selling marijuana. Without drug dealers on the streets, gang violence would diminished substantially. Also, all marijuana would be pure and unadulterated. When buying marijuana from a legal source, the buyer would not be exposed to or given the opportunity to buy other, harder drugs, decreasing the likelihood of ever trying these harder drugs. Taking away the “street corner drug dealer” aspect greatly increases safety. Gang violence is a huge problem everywhere in cities. Most gangs are fueled by drugs, and the profits that are available from selling them illegally. If marijuana was made legal, these gangs would have no way to make money, and no way to survive. Without drugs, gangs and black market trades would simply fade away. The violence between conflicting groups over territory on which they sell drugs would also vanish. Also, a person buying marijuana on the street has no idea of its purity. Although rare, sometimes marijuana is laced with harmful chemicals. It isoften heard that marijuana is laced with other harmful and more addictive drugs like crack cocaine or pcp, and this is simply not true. Not only is crack cocaine clearly visible when laced in marijuana and pcp gives of a distinguishing smell, but it is simply uneconomical for a dealer to lace in marijuana with hard drugs. Not only does he have to basically give these harder and more expensive drugs away for free, but he is also losing a customer. Most marijuana smokers do not do harder drugs, so when they find out that their marijuana is laced, they will no longer buy from that dealer. However, it is more common for marijuana to be impure due to grow additives like fertilizer, insect repellent when marijuana is grown outdoors, or foreign substances used to increase the weight of the bag being sold. All of these problems could be avoided if a safe and regulated form of marijuana could be purchased from a government regulated store.
Some people will say that legalizing marijuana will send the wrong message. However, it is obvious that the current prohibition on marijuana is a complete failure, as the rate of drug use remains the same as it always has been. If marijuana was made legal, the people who used it previously would continue to use it, and the people who never used it would continue to abstain from its use. In the Netherlands, a country where marijuana has been legal for adults over the age of 18 for over twenty years, the percentage of adults who use it remains average, and in fact very close to the percentage of Americans who use it. However, the percentage of people under 18 who use marijuana is far less than the percentage in the United States. It is almost certain that legalizing marijuana alone would not increase the number of people who use it.
In the Netherlands, for over twenty years, adults over the age of 18 have been allowed to walk into a government regulated store, known as a coffee shop, and purchase and smoke marijuana legally. It is a very sound and simple system, that has proven to be an effective way to control and regulate marijuana. Over the years, the rates of adults who use marijuana in the Netherlands mirror the same percentage of users in the United States. However, the percentage of minors who use marijuana is much lower.
If our current trend continues, prohibition of marijuana will continue to to be a complete and ultimate failure. Gang violence will continue to rise, fueled by the selling of marijuana on the streets. Street prices will continue to fall, and impurities and harmful chemicals in marijuana will continue to become a more common place. More people will be exposed to street dealers are hard drugs, and some will experiment. Billions upon billions of dollars will continue to be spent on a war on drugs that can never be won. More and more Americans will be imprisoned for simply enjoying a harmless recreational drug. Jobs, scholarships, and lives as people know it will continue to be lost. The percentage of people, and more importantly children and adolescents who use marijuana, will continue to rise. The only way to end the drug epidemic our country faces is to legalize and regulate marijuana. The drug war itself creates so many more problems then marijuana, one of the main drugs it is trying to combat.
Medical marijuana is a very interesting topic as well. Twelve states have made marijuana legal for medical use: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. Marijuana can be used to treat chronic pain, symptoms related to AIDS, glaucoma, spasticity, nausea, and other aliments. (p. 8) However, the Federal Government has said there is no medical use for marijuana, and according to federal law, Marijuana is illegal for any medical reason in all 50 states. What this means is that, if you are in a state that allows medical marijuana and you have permission from a doctor to use marijuana, you can still be arrested and prosecuted by the federal government for use of a controlled substance.
Medical Marijuana is often thought to do more harm then good because of the problems with smoking any substance. However, by eating or vaporizing marijuana, a patient can get the same benefits with none of the harmful effects. However, in a study done in 2000 by the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, medical marijuana users reported that marijuana helped their respective sleeping problems, loss of appetite, nausea and pain, depression, anxiety, muscle spasms, seizures, and cravings for heroine.
The federal government has continually said there is no possible benefits from medical marijuana. However, THC or Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, one of the main ingredients in marijuana, has been extracted and made into a pill called marinol (MARINOL® (dronabinol) Capsules). However, the rates of effectiveness for marinol are much lower than that of medical marijuana, because marijuana contains more then 60 other cannabidiols that marinol does not. However, it seems very hypocritical for the government to say that there is no medical value in marijuana, and then extract one of its major chemicals to make a pill sold by pharmacies.
As more states and cities continue to legalize medical marijuana, and the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency continues to try to battle its use, it will be interesting to see how patients and advocates of state's rights will respond. Senator and presidential candidate Barack Obama has come out to say that he supports medical marijuana when prescribed and used in the proper and professional way.
Industrial hemp is another branch of the legalization of marijuana. Hemp is a form of marijuana which contains less then 1% THC, the main active ingredient in marijuana. This is not enough to even get a buzz from smoking and has no use what soever as a drug. Industrial hemp has been used for over ten thousand years to make rope, paper, plastics, food, and even fuel for vehicles. Hemp is stronger, longer lasting, and more resistant to mildew then cotton and other cloths. In fact, it is the world's strongest natural fiber. The Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper, and Old Glory was made out of hemp cloth. In 1941, Ford made a car of which 70% was made out of hemp, and it ran on hemp fuel. Hemp requires far less fertilizer and pesticides than cotton does, and it can grow in a larger array of climates. Also, one acre of hemp yields four times more fiber than an average acre of forest does, and the paper made from hemp lasts for centuries. It also takes only 4 months to mature, while a forest can take 20 years. It is also an incredibly healthy food, which is high in minerals, fatty acid protein, and contains all eight essential amino acids. Why is all of this relevant to marijuana, a drug people smoke to get high? When marijuana was made illegal so was the production of industrial hemp in the country. This incredibly versatile and useful crop is illegal to grow anywhere in the United States. However, large amounts of it are being exported from all over the world. Instead of buying goods from local farmers who can be used to make food, fuel, plastics, and paper, that money is being sent overseas, making it not nearly as practical to use hemp in many everyday applications.
It is clear that if one day the federal government legalizes marijuana without setting up any form of regulation, chaos will ensue. However, if the government sets up a system to regulate and tax the sale of marijuana, much like it already does with alcohol, they will be able to solve many of our countries most prominent problems, be able to cut taxes, and even bring in an income. It is only a matter of time before the government is forced to legalize marijuana by the people. More and more across the country, new initiatives and propositions appear at the voting booths to legalize marijuana. And each time, the percentage of people who vote to legalize grows closer and closer to the number needed (and many times, over). Whether it be a rural town, or an entire state, like Colorado or Nevada, change is definitely on the way. With the spread of technology and information, as well as a younger, different generation, more and more people are coming to realize much of what they always believed is nothing but fallacies. The day when an American can safely, responsibly, and legally use marijuana will be a great day for personal freedoms and liberties in our country.

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When they took the 4th Amendment away I was quiet because I didnt deal drugs//When they took the 6th Amendment away I was quiet because Id never been arrested//When they took the 2nd Amendment away I was quiet because I didnt own a gun//Now they took the 1st Amendment and all I can do is be quiet...

Sec

One way of improving it is to create section headings. You know, like a paragraph title for:

Medical Marijuana

Industrial Hemp

Marijuana and Cancer

Marijuana and Addiction

History of Marijuana use

(I know they aren't in this order in your article, but you get my meaning???)

This might break it up a bit and give it some personality - make it a bit easier to read.

Otherwise it is very well written IMO.

A couple of typos, corrections, clarifications:
Wouldn't we be IMPORTING from all over the world?

needs a space.

than

page 63 of what?

page 53 of what?

Now, I am nitpicking (or proofreading it). I really like the way you have written it, and would love it if you would just add the section headings.

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Guidelines.
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http://www.marijuana.com/drug-test/index

ihavenoidea

just a couple things for the top. You could say marijuana contains THC, the active ingredient etc.. and also it was used as medicine long ago. And i think it should be legal for people 18 and older.

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Protector of the High Life

Perplexed Pixie

Wow thats pretty good I hope you do add the sections

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feedyourhead

the page numbers are parenthetical citations. what form are you using? some of it looks like APA, but i don't know why there are links all over the OP. in neither form is it correct to put a web address in with the text. i'm guessing this is an english paper, where the formatting would be in MLA, in which case you need to clean up your parenthetical citations. i have experience with both forms, if you need help i'd be happy to lend a hand :-)

also, you misspelled 'heroin.' there's no 'e' at the end, she ain't gonna save your life ;-)\

i was just skimming and saw some sentences and paragraphs that would sound better re-arranged, but i'll get back to that later this afternoon after my last 2 finals.

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homemadebubbler

Yeah, all the cditations need to be fixed. Working with MLA, and I know they need improvement. Im just fighting off mono and I havent really gotten enough energy to fix them