Argumentative Essay: The Use Of Marijuana
History Essay
A man, 45 years of age, committed suicide by jumping over a cliff. Had close friends and family surrounding him and helping him, this was not enough. What lead to this horrifying event? He was a heavy user of marijuana and had been using it for over 25 years. His life was gone in a matter of seconds, why? Because of this drug that consumed his life. After a week off of marijuana, this man had with draws. This drug is highly assessable and can lead to further mental issues as one can become addicted. “According to NIDA, National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana is the most commonly abused illicit drug in the U.S. Why? It’s accessible, affordable, and not considered harmful” (Archer). This has caused it to become psychologically …show more content…
addictive to most users. Marijuana is heavily debated to be used as a recreational drug because of this it has become a highly controversial topic in the US. I believe that marijuana should be once again illegal for recreational purposes in Colorado.
During the last 77 years society has come in conflict with the use of drugs such as Marijuana as for recreational purpose. This has been a constant debate since 1937 and is one of the most controversial issues of our time simply because some parts of the US are legalizing it. However it contradicts with the Federal Government’s stand on the issue. The notion of using marijuana will continue to be a controversial topic due to the opposing viewpoint on how the drug should be handled. The use of marijuana as a recreational drug will negatively affect our society as a whole since everyone around is affected by the actions enhanced by the drug. This drug alters our perception of reality making this a danger not only to those who use it but also those who are surrounded. Focusing specifically on the issue in California, it is to be voted on in the upcoming election of 2016, in order to make recreational marijuana legal. Although this is a contemporary issue the problem of marijuana has been around since the late 1930’s and was a controversial issue first in the 1950’s. Since this problem has been around, the pressure to legalize such a drug has worn down the officials in such states as Colorado and Washington where the use of recreational marijuana is legal. In the next years the decision that is made on this issue will change the way we function as a society. I believe that marijuana should be once again illegal for recreational purposes in Colorado.
Early in the history of Marijuana, becoming a controversial topic, many thought this to be a “miracle” drug but, soon this view was shattered when The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 was passed. Section 7 of this act reads;
SEC. 7. (a) There shall be levied, collected, and paid upon all transfers of marihuana which are required by section 6 to be carried out in pursuance of written order forms taxes at the following rates:
(1) Upon each transfer to any person who has paid the special tax and registered under section 2 of this Act, $1 per ounce of marihuana or fraction thereof
(2) Upon each transfer to any person who has not paid the special tax and registered under section 2 of this Act, $100 per ounce of marihuana or fraction thereof.
(b) Such tax shall be paid by the transferee at the time of securing each order form and shall be in addition to the price of such form. Such transferee shall be liable for the tax imposed by this section but in the event that the transfer is made in violation of section 6 without an order form and without payment of the transfer tax imposed by this section, the transferor shall also be liable for such tax.
(c) Payment of the tax herein provided shall be represented by appropriate stamps to be provided by the Secretary and said stamps shall be affixed by the collector or his representative to the original order form.
(d) All provisions of law relating to the engraving, issuance, sale, accountability, cancelation, and destruction of tax-paid stamps provided for in the internal-revenue laws shall, insofar as applicable and not inconsistent with this Act, be extended and made to apply to stamps provided for in this section.
(e) All provisions of law (including penalties) applicable in respect of the taxes imposed by the Act of December 17, 1914 (38 Stat.
785; U. S. C., 1934 ed., title 26, secs. 1040-- 1061, 1383-1391), as amended, shall, insofar as not inconsistent with this Act, be applicable in respect of the taxes imposed by this Act. (Solomon)
We see that the usage of marijuana was being controlled by the tax which was a step forward towards the positive direction of limiting and ultimately eliminating the usage of marijuana. This act led the way to many improvements with the issue of marijuana however in the upcoming decade we had a falling out.
In 1941 President Franklin Roosevelt signs an executive order that allows for the usage of marijuana for the production of “canvas, cordage, rope, oil and fodder… states were subsidized to produce industrial hemp in support of the war effort” (Pierre). Because of the reliance that the United States had this falling was inevitable but it was an emergency situation. This allowed production during WWI and the positive outcome of production. As the decade progressed there was more advancement towards the elimination of the drug. Subsequently in 1942 marijuana was removed from the US pharmacopeia. A year later in 1943, physicians were no longer able to prescribe medicine that contained cannabis, marijuana. Thus showing a positive improvement in where the drug can become more known for what it truly is instead of the reliable plant it was. Finally in 1945 the Roosevelt administration re-bans the industrial use of marijuana. Because of these acts and restrictions the government was able to initiate bigger acts upon this
drug.
The 1950s were the most controversial times because in 1951 a person who was in possession of marijuana and or any other drug listed could be convicted at a federal level. This was a huge step for the nation as a drug free environment. In 1956 congress deems marijuana be classified under the Narcotics Control Act. This great accomplishment ended the 1950s and leads us into the 1960 with a strong foot forward.
The 1960s, the Hippie movement was coming into bloom. The experimentation of drugs was the “cool” thing to do as a teen. Of these drugs was marijuana, a “lightweight” drug for the teen of this decade. The first public protest against the restriction of the marijuana laws was conducted in 1964. This was the first time that the people had a great impact in what the laws were to become creating a huge shift in the years to come. The reign of a non cannabis society was short lived. From 1968 to 1969 the DEA was formed which initiated the Marijuana Act. Later that decade, “President Lyndon B. Johnson merges two agencies to establish the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, the predecessor of the Drug Enforcement Agency, in a broader reorganization of government antidrug policies”( Pierre). In the late 1960s marijuana became a fashionable drug that everyone wanted to use thanks to the hippie movement. This brought forward many people who started to fight for the legalization of this drug and soon states would begin to individually legalize it. The 1970s were a positive advancement towards the elimination of marijuana although with some major setbacks. In 1970, the “Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act [r]eplaces and updates all previous laws concerning narcotics and other dangerous drugs. [There is a great] [e]mpasis on law enforcement. [Which] [i]ncludes the Controlled Substances Act, where marijuana is classified a Schedule 1 drug (reserved for the most dangerous drugs that have no recognized medical use)” (Guither). Later in the decade in 1972 President Nixon rejects the Shafer Commission proposal that recommends the decriminalization of this drug. Not approving this proposal was a huge step in the right direction. Although we had this accomplishment we had a step back because in 1973 Oregon decides to decriminalize marijuana as they are the first state to do so. Three years later in 1976, “President Jimmy Carter endorses the Shafer Commission’s findings and sends a statement to Congress on August 3 asking them to decriminalize cannabis possession in America for adults” (Pierre). Thus concluding this decade and making way to the 80’s. Continuing in the footsteps of Oregon, in 1980 11 more states decided to decriminalize the usage of marijuana brining about a movement of the wrong power, the power to minimize the enormous issue that the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes is. In 1980 the war on drugs begins. From 1981 to 1985 the FDA, Food and Drug Administration, approved marijuana as treatment for nausea giving organizations such as NORML, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, the power to fight. Finally in 1986, “President Reagan signed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act, instituting mandatory sentences for drug-related crimes” (“Marijuana Timeline”). In closing the decade the Bush administration started their own war on drugs. “President George Bush declares a new War on Drugs in a nationally televised speech” (“Marijuana Timeline”). In the 1996, “California voters passed Proposition 215 allowing for the sale and medical use of marijuana for patients with AIDS, cancer, and other serious and painful diseases. This law stands in tension with federal laws prohibiting possession of marijuana” (“Marijuana Timeline”). We finally enter into the 2000’s when in 2004 California limits on Medical Marijuana Possession moving forward as then in 2005 they suspend the usage of the medical card. Although they suspended the usage they resumed the usage of the card it in the same year. “The United States Supreme Court upholds the power of Congress to prohibit and prosecute medical marijuana even in the 11 states that permit it. 2005 US Supreme Court Rules Congress May Ban Marijuana Use in Gonzalez v. Raich” (Moore). This case allowed for the prosecution of people who are using marijuana for medical purposes. In 2010 recreational marijuana usage was denied in California allowing for others to follow along. Because of this it led to the continuation of the closing of dispensaries and growers in the state of California. In 2012 Colorado and Washington legalized the consumption of marijuana for recreation purposes. Since this time this topic was become very popular and for the 2016 elections California will once again but it on their ballot. Works Cited
Archer, Dale. "Is Marijuana Addictive?" Psychology Today: Health, Help, Happiness + Find a Therapist. Reading Between the (Head)Lines, 5 May 2012. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
Bernstein, Julia, and Lisa Pickoff-White. "A History of Marijuana in California and America." A History of Marijuana in California and America. Lisa Pickoff-White, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
Guither, Pete. "Why Is Marijuana Illegal?" Drug WarRant. Drugwarrant, n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.
Himmelstein, Jerome L. The Strange Career of Marihuana: Politics and Ideology of Drug Control in America. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1983. Print.
"Historical Timeline - Medical Marijuana - ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines. Procon.org, 13 Aug. 2013. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.
"The History of Cocaine - Where Does Cocaine Come From?" The History of Cocaine - Where Does Cocaine Come From? - Drug-Free World. Foundation for a Drug Free World, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
"Marijuana Timeline." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
Monterey Bud. "Infographic: A Chronic Marijuana Timeline â“ Cannabis Use In America." Marijuanacom. Monterey Bud & Filed under Infographic, Marijuana Legalization, Marijuana Medicine, 30 Oct. 2013. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
Moore, Lori. "Marijuana Legalization Timeline." Http://www.nytimes.com/. New York Times, 26 Oct. 2013. Web. 21 Apr. 2014.
Pierre, Allen St. "Working to Reform Marijuana Laws." Marijuana Law Reform Timeline. NORML, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
Solomon, David. "THE MARIHUANA TAX ACT OF 1937." The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. Drug Library, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2014.
A man, 45 years of age, committed suicide by jumping over a cliff. Had close friends and family surrounding him and helping him, this was not enough. What lead to this horrifying event? He was a heavy user of marijuana and had been using it for over 25 years. His life was gone in a matter of seconds, why? Because of this drug that consumed his life. After a week off of marijuana, this man had with draws. This drug is highly assessable and can lead to further mental issues as one can become addicted. “According to NIDA, National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana is the most commonly abused illicit drug in the U.S. Why? It’s accessible, affordable, and not considered harmful” (Archer). This has caused it to become psychologically …show more content…
addictive to most users. Marijuana is heavily debated to be used as a recreational drug because of this it has become a highly controversial topic in the US. I believe that marijuana should be once again illegal for recreational purposes in Colorado.
During the last 77 years society has come in conflict with the use of drugs such as Marijuana as for recreational purpose. This has been a constant debate since 1937 and is one of the most controversial issues of our time simply because some parts of the US are legalizing it. However it contradicts with the Federal Government’s stand on the issue. The notion of using marijuana will continue to be a controversial topic due to the opposing viewpoint on how the drug should be handled. The use of marijuana as a recreational drug will negatively affect our society as a whole since everyone around is affected by the actions enhanced by the drug. This drug alters our perception of reality making this a danger not only to those who use it but also those who are surrounded. Focusing specifically on the issue in California, it is to be voted on in the upcoming election of 2016, in order to make recreational marijuana legal. Although this is a contemporary issue the problem of marijuana has been around since the late 1930’s and was a controversial issue first in the 1950’s. Since this problem has been around, the pressure to legalize such a drug has worn down the officials in such states as Colorado and Washington where the use of recreational marijuana is legal. In the next years the decision that is made on this issue will change the way we function as a society. I believe that marijuana should be once again illegal for recreational purposes in Colorado.
Early in the history of Marijuana, becoming a controversial topic, many thought this to be a “miracle” drug but, soon this view was shattered when The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 was passed. Section 7 of this act reads;
SEC. 7. (a) There shall be levied, collected, and paid upon all transfers of marihuana which are required by section 6 to be carried out in pursuance of written order forms taxes at the following rates:
(1) Upon each transfer to any person who has paid the special tax and registered under section 2 of this Act, $1 per ounce of marihuana or fraction thereof
(2) Upon each transfer to any person who has not paid the special tax and registered under section 2 of this Act, $100 per ounce of marihuana or fraction thereof.
(b) Such tax shall be paid by the transferee at the time of securing each order form and shall be in addition to the price of such form. Such transferee shall be liable for the tax imposed by this section but in the event that the transfer is made in violation of section 6 without an order form and without payment of the transfer tax imposed by this section, the transferor shall also be liable for such tax.
(c) Payment of the tax herein provided shall be represented by appropriate stamps to be provided by the Secretary and said stamps shall be affixed by the collector or his representative to the original order form.
(d) All provisions of law relating to the engraving, issuance, sale, accountability, cancelation, and destruction of tax-paid stamps provided for in the internal-revenue laws shall, insofar as applicable and not inconsistent with this Act, be extended and made to apply to stamps provided for in this section.
(e) All provisions of law (including penalties) applicable in respect of the taxes imposed by the Act of December 17, 1914 (38 Stat.
785; U. S. C., 1934 ed., title 26, secs. 1040-- 1061, 1383-1391), as amended, shall, insofar as not inconsistent with this Act, be applicable in respect of the taxes imposed by this Act. (Solomon)
We see that the usage of marijuana was being controlled by the tax which was a step forward towards the positive direction of limiting and ultimately eliminating the usage of marijuana. This act led the way to many improvements with the issue of marijuana however in the upcoming decade we had a falling out.
In 1941 President Franklin Roosevelt signs an executive order that allows for the usage of marijuana for the production of “canvas, cordage, rope, oil and fodder… states were subsidized to produce industrial hemp in support of the war effort” (Pierre). Because of the reliance that the United States had this falling was inevitable but it was an emergency situation. This allowed production during WWI and the positive outcome of production. As the decade progressed there was more advancement towards the elimination of the drug. Subsequently in 1942 marijuana was removed from the US pharmacopeia. A year later in 1943, physicians were no longer able to prescribe medicine that contained cannabis, marijuana. Thus showing a positive improvement in where the drug can become more known for what it truly is instead of the reliable plant it was. Finally in 1945 the Roosevelt administration re-bans the industrial use of marijuana. Because of these acts and restrictions the government was able to initiate bigger acts upon this
drug.
The 1950s were the most controversial times because in 1951 a person who was in possession of marijuana and or any other drug listed could be convicted at a federal level. This was a huge step for the nation as a drug free environment. In 1956 congress deems marijuana be classified under the Narcotics Control Act. This great accomplishment ended the 1950s and leads us into the 1960 with a strong foot forward.
The 1960s, the Hippie movement was coming into bloom. The experimentation of drugs was the “cool” thing to do as a teen. Of these drugs was marijuana, a “lightweight” drug for the teen of this decade. The first public protest against the restriction of the marijuana laws was conducted in 1964. This was the first time that the people had a great impact in what the laws were to become creating a huge shift in the years to come. The reign of a non cannabis society was short lived. From 1968 to 1969 the DEA was formed which initiated the Marijuana Act. Later that decade, “President Lyndon B. Johnson merges two agencies to establish the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, the predecessor of the Drug Enforcement Agency, in a broader reorganization of government antidrug policies”( Pierre). In the late 1960s marijuana became a fashionable drug that everyone wanted to use thanks to the hippie movement. This brought forward many people who started to fight for the legalization of this drug and soon states would begin to individually legalize it. The 1970s were a positive advancement towards the elimination of marijuana although with some major setbacks. In 1970, the “Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act [r]eplaces and updates all previous laws concerning narcotics and other dangerous drugs. [There is a great] [e]mpasis on law enforcement. [Which] [i]ncludes the Controlled Substances Act, where marijuana is classified a Schedule 1 drug (reserved for the most dangerous drugs that have no recognized medical use)” (Guither). Later in the decade in 1972 President Nixon rejects the Shafer Commission proposal that recommends the decriminalization of this drug. Not approving this proposal was a huge step in the right direction. Although we had this accomplishment we had a step back because in 1973 Oregon decides to decriminalize marijuana as they are the first state to do so. Three years later in 1976, “President Jimmy Carter endorses the Shafer Commission’s findings and sends a statement to Congress on August 3 asking them to decriminalize cannabis possession in America for adults” (Pierre). Thus concluding this decade and making way to the 80’s. Continuing in the footsteps of Oregon, in 1980 11 more states decided to decriminalize the usage of marijuana brining about a movement of the wrong power, the power to minimize the enormous issue that the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes is. In 1980 the war on drugs begins. From 1981 to 1985 the FDA, Food and Drug Administration, approved marijuana as treatment for nausea giving organizations such as NORML, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, the power to fight. Finally in 1986, “President Reagan signed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act, instituting mandatory sentences for drug-related crimes” (“Marijuana Timeline”). In closing the decade the Bush administration started their own war on drugs. “President George Bush declares a new War on Drugs in a nationally televised speech” (“Marijuana Timeline”). In the 1996, “California voters passed Proposition 215 allowing for the sale and medical use of marijuana for patients with AIDS, cancer, and other serious and painful diseases. This law stands in tension with federal laws prohibiting possession of marijuana” (“Marijuana Timeline”). We finally enter into the 2000’s when in 2004 California limits on Medical Marijuana Possession moving forward as then in 2005 they suspend the usage of the medical card. Although they suspended the usage they resumed the usage of the card it in the same year. “The United States Supreme Court upholds the power of Congress to prohibit and prosecute medical marijuana even in the 11 states that permit it. 2005 US Supreme Court Rules Congress May Ban Marijuana Use in Gonzalez v. Raich” (Moore). This case allowed for the prosecution of people who are using marijuana for medical purposes. In 2010 recreational marijuana usage was denied in California allowing for others to follow along. Because of this it led to the continuation of the closing of dispensaries and growers in the state of California. In 2012 Colorado and Washington legalized the consumption of marijuana for recreation purposes. Since this time this topic was become very popular and for the 2016 elections California will once again but it on their ballot. Works Cited
Archer, Dale. "Is Marijuana Addictive?" Psychology Today: Health, Help, Happiness + Find a Therapist. Reading Between the (Head)Lines, 5 May 2012. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
Bernstein, Julia, and Lisa Pickoff-White. "A History of Marijuana in California and America." A History of Marijuana in California and America. Lisa Pickoff-White, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
Guither, Pete. "Why Is Marijuana Illegal?" Drug WarRant. Drugwarrant, n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.
Himmelstein, Jerome L. The Strange Career of Marihuana: Politics and Ideology of Drug Control in America. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1983. Print.
"Historical Timeline - Medical Marijuana - ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines. Procon.org, 13 Aug. 2013. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.
"The History of Cocaine - Where Does Cocaine Come From?" The History of Cocaine - Where Does Cocaine Come From? - Drug-Free World. Foundation for a Drug Free World, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
"Marijuana Timeline." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
Monterey Bud. "Infographic: A Chronic Marijuana Timeline â“ Cannabis Use In America." Marijuanacom. Monterey Bud & Filed under Infographic, Marijuana Legalization, Marijuana Medicine, 30 Oct. 2013. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
Moore, Lori. "Marijuana Legalization Timeline." Http://www.nytimes.com/. New York Times, 26 Oct. 2013. Web. 21 Apr. 2014.
Pierre, Allen St. "Working to Reform Marijuana Laws." Marijuana Law Reform Timeline. NORML, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
Solomon, David. "THE MARIHUANA TAX ACT OF 1937." The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. Drug Library, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2014.