Legalizing Marijuana #2 (Essay Sample)

Legalizing Marijuana
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Marijuana or cannabis is a substance prepared from cannabis plant, and mainly used as a psychoactive drug, and for medicinal purposes. According to Gaciah (2012), the principal psychoactive substance present in marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol. The psychoactive and physiological effects of cannabis when consumed include relaxation, euphoria, heightened mood, and increase in appetite. The unwanted side effects include red eyes, impaired motor skills, and decrease in short-term memory. Marijuana is used for recreation purposes, as a medicinal drug, and in religious and spiritual rites. Although many valid reasons are given in favor of legalizing marijuana, the existing experience indicates that legalization would be a harbinger to various social and economic problems.
The legality of Marijuana, according to Clements & Zhao (2009), varies from country to country. The possession and use of cannabis have been illegal in most countries since 1930. However, some countries have de-criminalized the possession of small quantities and medical use of marijuana. Marijuana was first legalized in Uruguay where its production, distribution and sale are legitimate. Other countries where marijuana is legalized for medicinal purposes include Israel, Zech Republic and Canada. In the United States, the Federal law criminalizes the sale and possession of cannabis. However, the enforcement varies at the state level. Some states have repealed laws against the use and possession of marijuana. Others have given partial waiver to allow the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. Even in countries where possession and sale of cannabis is illegal, the law application still varies from lenient to very severe penalties. In some jurisdictions, penalties for the possession of small quantities have been lessened considerably. In such areas, offenders are punished through confiscation or fines rather than imprisonment. Other jurisdictions have implemented mandatory treatment programs for frequent users, the goal being to free users from the narcotic. In some countries, mainly from South and East Asia, simple possession can carry long jail terms while selling can attract life imprisonment, or even execution (The post standard, 2012).
According to Ruschmann (2003), the marijuana legalization debate is still on between those in support and those in opposition. The pro-group argues that, personal freedom should not be affected as the state prohibits marijuana. The individual's freewill and the rights of self-determination have to be respected by the government. Furthermore, fighting evils caused by illegal drug trade by authorities popularizes the drug amongst constituents. There should be partial or complete decriminalization of cannabis and a system of regulation put in place as happens with prescription drugs and alcohol. As Friesen suggests (2012), if legal supplies are made available, prices will fall leading to the collapse of illegal trade in the drug. A reduction of prices will reduce the rate of cannabis addiction due to the inelasticity of demand. Another argument fronted by supporters of legalization is that many banned drugs are significantly less harmful than legal alcohol and tobacco. More numerous severe psychological addictions are found among alcohol and tobacco users than in marijuana users.
Those against legalization of cannabis argue that a state cannot be involved in the distribution of a substance considered immoral by a majority of the population. The goal of any government is to protect the citizens’ health and not to expose them to risk by producing or distributing a substance considered unhealthy. Legalization of cannabis will make it easily available to the population, a fact that will create new consumers rather than rescuing current one. Drug addiction robs drug users the ability to make informed and rational decisions. It compromises individual’s ability to think logically. The free will is lost because affected individuals cannot free themselves from drug use. The use of cannabis is not only expensive to the user but also to non-users in the economy. The use of cannabis inflates health costs for individuals and the government. Similarly, it leads to neglect of children by drug-addicted parents. On the economic fro...