... is an idea of political norms, rather then a defined truth. Second, society suffers financially for the strain put on the court system by drug offences. Finally, at a minimum, legalizing marijuana would have a beneficial impact on society. To begin with, politics places too much emphasis on the ... things differently. What government agency has enough erudition to say that a person can not deem themselves capable of making a decision to partake in recreational drug use at any given time. Things such as alcohol, tobacco, and even caffeine are used on a daily basis to affect a person's bod...

• Word Count: 1152
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... marijuana would also benefit the federal budget in many ways. First of all, there would be a reduction in the amount of money spent on law enforcement efforts to apprehend and prosecute users and sellers of marijuana. The drug enforcement authorities would reduce their budget requests, or most likely, focus more intensely on harder drugs and violent crimes. According to the book, America's Longest ... War, there would be savings of about 200 billion dollars or more per year with the legalization of drugs. Federal, state and local governments spend about 100 billion dollars a year on law...

• Word Count: 1572
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Marijuana: The Illegal Herb The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) currently lists marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug. A Schedule 1 drug, to law enforcement, is any illegal substance, which is used only for recreation. To some, this may seem to be a misnomer- ... medicinal applications may appear relevant in this case- would that not illustrate marijuana's non-recreational relevance? There is only anecdotal evidence for this application of the drug, however. The simple fact is, that, when exploring the case for the legalization of marijuana, there is no sound, logical reason for legalization. There ......

• Word Count: 710
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Marijuana: The Illegal Herb The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) currently lists marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug. A Schedule 1 drug, to law enforcement, is any illegal substance, which is used only for recreation. To some, this may seem to be a misnomer- ... medicinal applications may appear relevant in this case- would that not illustrate marijuana's non-recreational relevance? There is only anecdotal evidence for this application of the drug, however. The simple fact is, that, when exploring the case for the legalization of marijuana, there is no sound, logical reason for legalization. There ......

• Word Count: 680
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The debate over medicinal marijuana usage and legality is a controversial one. Many experts argue the drug costs society too much money in terms of law enforcement and incarceration costs when the monies could be better spent in other law enforcement areas. A large majority of the American people believe marijuana should be decriminalized for medical usage. In 2001, 34 percent of adult ... has ever "died of an overdose," and that it is effective and helpful for a variety of serious illnesses, from multiple sclerosis to cancer and AIDS. In fact, even the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA...

• Word Count: 1084
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... criminal distinction between people who smoke marijuana as a doctor's recommended remedy and recreational users, who just smoke to enjoy the effects. However, the federal government and its drug enforcement agencies claim there is no distinction in federal law. The social debate of legalizing medicinal marijuana should be long over because legalizing marijuana for medical purposes would bring about more ... Western medicine in 1839 by a British physician. Classified as a Schedule I drug, cannabis belongs to the most restrictive categories for psychoactive drugs in the Drug Enforcement Ad...

• Word Count: 1098
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... of marijuana intoxication. The amount of THC (which is also the psychoactive ingredient in hashish) determines the potency and, therefore, the effects of marijuana.1 In 2000, state and local law enforcement arrested 734,498 people for marijuana violations. This is an increase of 800 percent since 1980, and is the highest ever recorded by the FBI. As has been the case ... unavailable in Marinol, and patients only have access to their therapeutic properties by using cannabis.3 Patients prescribed Marinol frequently complain of its high psychoactivity. This is because patients consume the ...

• Word Count: 2773
• Approx Pages: 11
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... more potent and dangerous self-indulgent drugs. In the Institute of Medicine's report on medical marijuana, researchers found that "Marijuana is not a completely benign substance. It is a powerful drug with a variety of effects. However, the adverse effects of marijuana use are within the range of effects tolerated for other medications." Much remains to be said of the numerous accounts ... helpful in preventing epileptic seizures. In spite of the established medical value of marijuana, doctors are presently permitted to prescribe cocaine and morphine - but not marijuana. On September 6, ...

• Word Count: 704
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... marijuana. Against, and For, Legalization There is, as would be expected, the age-old outcry against drugs being legal, no matter what the drug. This outcry has many arguments, which follow in suit. For example, many argue that if marijuana is legal this will entice people to try ... argument hovers over California's Proposition 215, which would allow sick people to use and grow small amounts of marijuana. The idea is to make the drug available to those in great pain. But the wording of the proposition gives the game away: Growing and using marijuana would be approved for a ... different...

• Word Count: 1141
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... US for some time now and many have struggled to have these laws reformed, to little consequence. People all over this country have argued over the safety and effects the drug would have on society. Within this essay is an argument in favor of the legalization of marijuana. Marijuana should be legalized. There are many arguments made against the liberation of ... ; legalizing marijuana would give the American people access to at least 14.2 billion dollars and up to 26.7 billion dollars. These savings are from Excise taxes ($2.2 - $6.4 billion),! Sales taxes ($0.2 - $1.3 billion), enforcem...

• Word Count: 898
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate