Just to clarify my position on Marijuana Legalization, I am posting an essay I wrote last semester for my English class on the topic. Its relatively long and I have taken out all of my MLA citations, but if you really want them just ask. This is just my view on the subject. If you disagree, thats fine. I just ask that you hear me. -------------------------------------- Marijuana or “weed,” as it is commonly referred to, is an illegal substance in the United States. If caught, violators of this law face fines or jail time depending on the amount possessed by the offender. I believe the laws prohibiting marijuana possession and use are in definite need of reform. I believe this way because our prison system is far too overcrowded to keep every little offender imprisoned; other substances have proven to be much more addictive than marijuana; it is not a gateway drug; and it may have medical uses that can help people suffering from a variety of illnesses. According to NORML(The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws), “More than 700,000 Americans were arrested on marijuana charges last year, and more than 5 million Americans have been arrested for marijuana offenses in the past decade. This in conjunction with the fact that “On December 31, 2002… 2,033,331 prisoners were held in Federal or State prisons or in local jails” has caused our prisons to be overcrowded and, in effect, has caused taxes to rise. The laws forbidding marijuana have proved to be more of a burden than a help to society. I should also point out that these arrests are not for hardened criminals. Most of the charges are simple possession of marijuana. In fact, “Almost 90 percent of these arrests are for simple possession, not trafficking or sale.” I, personally, believe that this is a waste of law enforcement. To me, these laws exist not “to serve and protect,” but rather to slow the judicial process and hinder the freedoms of private citizens. While mixed opinions exist on the topic of addiction to marijuana, most studies show that marijuana is not definitely addictive. According to the Institute of Medicine “…although few marijuana users develop dependence, some do. But they appear to be less likely to do so than users of other drugs (including alcohol and nicotine), and marijuana dependence appears to be less severe than dependence on other drugs". Other studies show that no physical addiction occurs because, when the drug is taken from the user, the user suffers from no withdrawal symptoms like one would from heroin or cocaine. I believe that if alcohol and tobacco, which have both proven to be more addictive than marijuana, are tolerated, marijuana should be legal as well. Some will argue my point and say that, while marijuana may not be addictive, the drugs that it leads to are addictive. People say that marijuana is a “gateway drug,” meaning that it leads to harder drugs and more substance abuse. This is a myth. Once again, according to the Institute of Medicine, “There is no evidence that marijuana serves as a stepping stone on the basis of its particular physiological effect.” Put simply, marijuana cannot be identified as a gateway drug based on the effects it has on the body. The mental addiction that may occur is the result of a susceptible mind that is just as likely to get addicted to nicotine, alcohol, or even caffeine (all of which are legal). Saying that marijuana leads to an addiction harder drugs is like saying that drinking water leads to alcoholism. The two may be related in some form, but cannot be classed in the same category. Marijuana has a variety of medicinal benefits as well. Research shows that cannabis can offer an aid to many different medical problems. These problems include pain relief, nausea, spasticity, glaucoma, and movement disorders. It also can serve as a powerful appetite stimulant for AIDS victims or dementia. Some newer research also shows that marijuana may actually have an effect on some types of malignant tumors. Not only is it unfair to deny treatment to the sufferers of these ailments, but it is immoral as well. America has a responsibility to the patients in our hospitals to provide the best means of medical treatment available. To deny dying patients of the treatment they deserve is a monstrosity that should not be tolerated. A few states have realized this. Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, Oregon and Washington have all “have adopted initiatives exempting patients who use marijuana under a physician's supervision from state criminal penalties.” Unfortunately, these acts only provide exemptions for only a few people who fit certain qualifications defined within these acts. The full extent of medicinal marijuana is not understood, but with further research, I believe that more possibilities will develop for patients suffering from new and different types of ailments. In conclusion, marijuana laws are a thing of the past. They were put in place to stop the spread of another substance like alcohol or cigarettes. These substances may be bad for you, but that shouldn’t hinder your ability to use them. It all comes down to freedom of choice. People are responsible enough that they should be able to choose to do whatever they want when they feel the need to do so. I feel that marijuana laws have outgrown their worth and we, as a society, have evolved past them to the point where we are able to make our choices responsibly. ---------------------------------------- In case you were wondering how well I did, I passed on the rough draft and my professor said that it didn't require any revision. Get up. Stand up. Stand up for your right. Get up. Stand up. Don't give up the fight.