Advantages of legalizing MJ

Marijuana is by far the most commonly used illegal drug. Statistics show that over 70 million Americans have tried Marijuana and more that 20 million smoked it last year. So it is safe to assume that although marijuana use may decrease in the years to come, as did Heroin and LSD, it is here to stay. Eight states, Colorado, Nevada, Alaska, California, Hawaii, Maine, Oregon & Washington have already passed laws allowing the use of medical Marijuana.

“In the fall of 1996, California voters approved the medical marijuana initiative (proposition 215) by a vote of 56 to 44 percent. The act is entitled The Compassionate Use Act of 1996 and it’s purpose is to give Californians the right to possess and cultivate marijuana for medical purposes, “where the medical use is deemed appropriate and has been recommended by a physician who has determined the person’s health would benefit f

Legalizing marijuana raises a lot of questions for instance, who would sell the drugs? Private companies? The government? How would legalization affect health insurance and the overall cost of healthcare? And probably the most important question of all “ would the use of legalized drugs by employees in certain occupations be prohibited? Since marijuana can remain in the body for weeks after use, would marijuana use by employees in jobs in which safety and security are issues be forbidden, even when off duty? What about airline pilots, surgeons, police, firefighters, military personnel, bus drivers, railroad engineers, cross country truckers, nuclear reactor operators and even wall street brokers and teacher?” (Schaler 75) As far as America is concerned, we are the land of the free or are we? Do people have a “right” to get high? As times change and we progress into the future should our laws change as well? Only time will tell as the war against drugs wages on and the fight to legalized marijuana leaves a country divided. Are the advocates of legalization just looking for an excuse to get high or is this a fight for freedom?

Nothing in the act permits persons using marijuana for medical purposes to engage in conduct that endangers others (such as driving under the influence), condones “the diversion of marijuana for non medical purposes” or permits the buying or selling of marijuana” Dennis Peron, the man who launched proposition 215 subsequently started the cannabis buyers club in San Francisco. The purpose behind starting this club was to distribute marijuana to AIDS, cancer and other patients. With only a doctors note the clubs 12,000 members could buy pot and then relax while listenin

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