Introduction
The issue of whether marijuana should be legalized or not has seen many states being plunged into heated debates over the matter. Precisely, there have been diverse viewpoints regarding its status with some groups supporting the idea of its legalization. In the same measure, there are those who oppose this position and argue that it should be banned. However, it is high time states, nations and governments should reassess and evaluate with a view of reviewing their stand over this issue. There are some states in Untied State that legalized marijuana. Such states are California and Nevada. I find legalization of marijuana to be more beneficial than making it illegal. Its positive benefits far outweigh the negative ones and hence more efforts should be put in place to legalize it.
Marijuana legalization will draw benefit to a state in various ways. This is due to the fact that its legalization would first and foremost increase a country’s revenue base through taxation, while on the other hand reducing its expenditure as there will be no more chasing of its users or handlers. Moreover, legalization of the drug would promote health and safety, ease congestion in prisons, in addition to reducing official corruption. Marijuana is known to have medicinal value thus its value in the medical field outweighs its probable abuse (Saitz 85). Furthermore, its legalization would crucially benefit the paper as well as clothing industries. Also, marijuana less danger than alcohol for example, when a person smoke marijuana just make him/her happy but when you drink alcohol might be you fight.
It is argued that making marijuana illegal does not in anyway reduce its consumption; instead, it only pushes it to underground usage which is more dangerous. One proof to support this argument is that states in the U.S. that legalized its use in the seventies have not seen the use of the drug rise above those that prohibited it. Also Holland has legalized it but has the same levels of usage as compared to other countries like France and Germany which has made it illegal. Therefore, legalizing marijuana does not increase consumption as argued through various quarters. Many countries in Europe have already legalized marijuana because the drugs are legal there. However, people do not fight after a joint and it make them more relaxed and enjoy them when they smoke marijuana.
However, marijuana holds a very significant role in mode of communication. In the story Cathedral, Raymond Carver indicates that (Carver, 1) marijuana is almost used as an instrument that helps an individual to open up and submit to communication. However, it is not necessary to connect with other individual. However, in the end the writer indicates that it is possible to communicate under a common perception or situation. This is indicated by the drawing of the cathedral by the two people where the lack of sight developed a common bondage and developed bondage.
Even with such diverse potential benefits on legalization of marijuana, there are those who oppose its legalization. According to the opponents, legalization of marijuana would lead to increased crime rates. They view marijuana as a harmful drug, with the potential of acting as gateway for other more serious drug abuse. Based on this theory they argue that legalization of marijuana for whatever reason would send the wrong signal to the youth. As far as those oppose its legalization are concerned, marijuana is harmful as it causes ailments like lung cancer.
The above arguments hold some water because there have been some reported cases of rampant abuse of the drug, especially among youth, hence increasing crime rates. Therefore marijuana should not just be supported in its wholeness. There is need to address some of the pertinent challenges that are raised by the opponents. Also, people think marijuana is bad because it cause harmful effects on the body.
There are adverse behavioral affects of the drug. Let us take this example: The Marsh Family is headed by Dean, a 52 year old mediocre stock broker. His wife Martha, 38, is a housewife. Their son Nick is currently unemployed and is 20 years of age. There is a suspicion of a possibility of soft drugs addiction like hashish or marijuana (in fact, friends confirm that too). This family was observed over a four-day period and the family’s interactions and dynamics were noted. It was seen that there was a frequent argument between the father and the son and they hardly ever talked. The relation between the man and the wife was cold and they were hardly seen communicating. The mother- son relationship was cold too (Cook, 115).
It could be seen that students are willing to give up drugs but are unable to find a way out. It is certain that in real sense though some are positive about leaving it with the understanding that it is extremely detrimental for body and mind. However, addicted students seem to continue with it as it provides the soothing balm that they need for their peace of mind. This peace of mind that they are looking for is an illusion that is making them more psychologically dependent on the drug. Though marijuana is supposed to be a soft drug it is ramifying enough if used for a prolonged period. Addicted students are already at a point when the negetive affects of the drug is about to start. They may be or may not be aware of the actual circumstances they are about to face but what ever it is they are unable to quit, at least for the moment. They mix around with other drug addicts and so they find themselves in a comfort zone with others. (Bell, 126)
But all in all, however, opposing legalization of marijuana on the ground that it is harmful and causes lung cancer, fails the test of reasoning since, marijuana is less dangerous compared to alcohol, cigarettes and even some over the counter medicines (Reinarman, 112). Research indicates that marijuana is among the safest therapeutically active substances available. Hence through routine medical supervision, its use is safe. While marijuana has never been reported to have killed a person, alcohol poisoning and cigarettes are major causes of death even though they are legal. Quoting one researcher, “the only well confirmed negative effect of marijuana is caused by the smoke, which contains three times more tars and five times more carbon monoxide than tobacco. But even the heaviest marijuana smokers rarely use as much as an average tobacco smoker” (Cabral, 133).
Among the known qualities of marijuana in the medical field include its analgesic, anti emetic, anti inflammatory, sedative anti convulsive as well as laxative actions (Strang, 69). It has been proven to be effective in relieving nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy treatments on cancer patients. It also lowers intra ocular pressure of the eye which is a crucial factor in treatment of glaucoma (Strang, 98). It has been reported, “In 2000, more than 734,000 people were arrested in this country for marijuana-related offenses alone” (LegalizationOfMarijuana, 1). “Since 1990, nearly 5.9 million Americans have been arrested on marijuana charges, a greater number than the entire populations of Alaska, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming combined” (LegalizationOfMarijuana, 1).
Law as an institution is a rigid form of governing system that is responsible for the well being of the population. However, in reality a set of law cannot be maintained and enforced in a rigid manner. The betterment of the population depends on the common sense of the law enforcers and the flexibility to enforce the law in accordance to the situation. The usage of law makes it a living body. As living body reacts to stimuli so does law under specific and needed circumstances. For example, the law bans drugs but it can well be used for medical purposes. It has been reported that “”the sheriff of the little town of Arcata, California, issued laminated identification cards for medical marijuana users to help law enforcement officers distinguish them from “regular” users.” (Meyer, 56) Thus, legalization is a good step as long as there is a constant monitoring by the authorities.
Conclusion
Based on the number of its diverse uses as well as its economic benefits, marijuana deserves legalization. As seen, legalization of marijuana will boost a country’s economy, through cutting down of expenditure on the judicial system as well as in agencies concerned with its containment. It will also advance the medical field of a country in addition to revamping the paper industry. Precisely advantages of legalizing the herb outweigh the disadvantages.
Work Cited
Bell, Dean. Young Adults and influence of Media. Auckland: HBT & Brooks Ltd, 2005.
Cabral, Guy. ‘Marijuana and cannabinoid: Effects on Infections, Immunity, and AIDS’. Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics, 1.3/4, (2001).
Carver, Raymond. Cathedral. NDSU. 2007ndsu.nodac.edu. Web.
Cook, Ian. Being Personal: The Family Showcase. Wellington: Large Alliance Publishers, 2000.
LegalizationOfMarijuana. Legalization of Marijuana. LEGALIZATIONOFMARIJUANA.COM. 2007. LOM.
Meyer, Frank and Diana Grant. The Courts in Our Criminal Justice System. NY: Prentice-Hall, Pearson Education, Inc., 2003.
Reinarman, Collins. “Crack in America: demon drugs and social justice.” Berkeley: University, of California Press, 1997.
Saitz, Richard (2003). “Is marijuana a gateway drug?”. Journal Watch. 2003. General medicine. Web.
Strang, John. “Improving the quality of the cannabis debate: defining the different domains.” New York: Pocket Books, 2001.