The Costs of Marijuana Prohibition Essay - 1823 Words

The Costs of Marijuana Prohibition The nation that we live in today proudly proclaims its perpetuation of freedom and democracy, and with these qualities it conveys supreme justice. The United States government and its constitution are regarded by many as the pinnacle of civil government, as the ultimate projection of civil justice. However, no government is perfect, for man himself is inherently imperfect. For over two centuries since its birth, The U.S. constitution, which many hold in such high esteem, has been continuously molded to fit our ever changing society. Many of these changes have been good and necessary, while others have caused unforeseen problems. Even in light of harm to society, however, the constitution and its†¦show more content†¦government and condoned by law officials and citizens alike. Throughout this argument for marijuana legalization, the notion of justice will be repeatedly called upon, and the justice of the current system and policy will be analyzed and disputed. In order for this analysis to happen, justice itself must first be defined thoroughly and given precise parameters. According to Websters Dictionary, justice is the quality of being just, impartial, or fair, and conformity to truth, fact, or reason. Justice from this point on will include the following: the logical execution of law or standard based solely on proven facts or truth, and the existence of fairness and equality throughout these actions. The drug war that the U.S. government is waging is not limited to law enforcement crackdowns and mandatory prison sentences. According to the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, declines in teen drug use are preceded by a generally higher awareness of the harms of drugs (Torr 39). Obviously, the perpetrators of the national anti-drug campaign are alert to this fact, and they have put it to their use. Recently the Office of National Drug Control Policy, or the ONDCP, has used the media, specifically television, as a tool to flaunt anti-drug propaganda to the American public. Television commercials about the dangers of marijuana use have flooded T.V. networks. In fact, the ONDCP actually spent $3.2 million on twoShow MoreRelatedMarijuana Prohibition Is A Failure And A Waste Of Resources864 Words   |  4 PagesAbraham Lincoln once said Prohibition goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man s appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things t hat are not crimes.† The prohibition of marijuana has proven to be a failure and a waste of resources. In addition, prohibition has hurt society more than it has helped. Also, marijuana can be used as a medicine to treat many life threatening illnesses. The legalization of marijuana will generate enormous tax revenue, reduce crimeRead MoreMarijuana must Be Legalized941 Words   |  4 PagesWhen you think of prohibition, one typically thinks of the roaring twenties. This was when the government prohibited the sale of alcohol. Looking back through history, we see trends from then happening today with the prohibition of marijuana and other drugs. Many people have many opinions if marijuana should be legalized or not. It’s not as easy as just looking at the pros and cons. Our government needs to determine if the prohibition of drugs is actually promoting greater health, safety, andRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?1314 Words   |  6 PagesMarijuana, also known as cannabis, has been deemed an unacceptable and illegal substance in Canada, as well as in many other nations. It is a drug which can alter an individual’s sense of perception and distort one’s senses, and may become addictive if used repeatedly. Although marijuana is looked down upon in society when used for recreational purposes, it serves several beneficial purposes in the medical field. The legalization of marijuana is a prominent growing issue in several Canadian provincesRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized? Essay1520 Words   |  7 PagesMarijuana was first criminalized in 1923 when it was added to the narcotics act. In 1971 the LeDain commission recommended the decriminalization of simple possessions of marijuana, followed by the legalization of medical marijuana in 2001. Currently, the liberal government is taking steps towards their promise, to legalize marijuana, made during the 2015 election. Currently, there are laws that regulate the use of marijuana in Canada. It is illegal to possess or sell marijuana for non-medial purposesRead MoreMarijuana Should be Legalized for Medical and Recreational Use1742 Words   |  7 Pagesacross medical marijuana while trying to research JJ’s problems and after discussing it with his doctors decided to give it a try. She took him off all his medications and put the marijuana in a muffin in amounts prescribed and monitored by the doctor. JJ’s behavior issues declined almost immediately. He is polite, eager to learn and interacts well with teachers and students at school. Now he talks through his questions and problems instead of acting out due to frustration. Marijuana has been usedRead MoreEssay on Marijuana528 Words   |  3 PagesMarijuana Marijuana is a drug that has been used for thousands of years. Marijuana was used in ancient China, as far back as 5000 B.C. The Incans and Mayans used marijuana in religious ceremonies. Marijuana also has roots in this country. The Indians of the plains used marijuana in their peace pipes as a sign of friendship and peace. After prohibition there was a sharp rise in the use of this drug in America, but after prohibition was repealed the use went down. In the 1920s and 30sRead MoreEssay about Pro Legalization of Marijuana906 Words   |  4 Pagessince the Marijuana Tax act of 1934. Yet out of a population of 284 million American citizens, 70 million Americans claim to have smoked cannabis at some point in their lives. Prohibition of cannabis is therefore apparently ineffective at changing the habits of a population, just as prohibition of alcohol was ineffective in 1919-1933. Making otherwise law-abiding citizens fugitives does nothing more than fill the prisons and alienate the populace from their government. In fact the total cost to taxpayersRead MoreLegalizing Marijuana and the Economic Affect1477 Words   |  6 Pagesconstitution(Boaz,). Marijuana along with other illegal drugs are all components which are considered to be victimless crimes and are one of the top investments law enforcements make on fighting. Victimless crimes overall are more potential to hurting the economy and society as a whole by keeping them illegal then if they were legal. The reason for this is due to the fact that there is no unwilling participant and the real reason these acts are illegal is due to an external psychic cost. People in theRead MoreThe Drug Enforcement Agency Defines A Schedule 1 Substance909 Words   |  4 Pages On August 14, 1970, the Assistant Secretary of Health, Dr. Roger O. Egeberg wrote a letter recommending the plant, marijuana, be classified as a schedule 1 substance, he succeeded and it has remained that way for nearly 45 years. The Drug enforcement agency defines a schedule 1 substance as â€Å"drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Schedule I drugs are the most dangerous drugs of all the drug schedules with potentially severe psychological or physical dependenceRead MoreShould Cannabis Be Legalised?1595 Words   |  7 Pagesis the argument that the current penalties and prohibitions that are in place have failed to reduce cannabis use and the social costs associated with continual users. (Hall, W. (1997) Many believe that the current prohibitions in place for cannabis is ineffective as cannabis use is as high as ever, as recently stated (33.6%) of Australians over the age of 14 has used cannabis in their lifetime. Whilst people may also perc eive the current prohibition on cannabis use as hypocritical as cannabis is