English 121
Marijuana: Where do you stand?
Introduction: In today’s society, there are many views on the legal status of marijuana. Some people are supporters, others are opposed and there are those who have a neutral view on the issue of marijuana decriminalization and legalization. The following contains a wide range of views, with us living in the United States; we have the right to freedom of speech to express our views and site facts on controversial issues.
Thesis: The facts and opinions pertaining to decriminalizing and legalizing marijuana are many and varied, with the facts being the main focus of discussion. Our nation has differing views on the issue and continues to debate, should marijuana be decriminalized, legalized or should the laws of today remain intact.
I. The first article “Up in Smoke” Ward (2010) describes the legalization of marijuana and the positive attributes it would provide in regard to the government and individuals with health issues. A. California was the first state to legalize the use of medical marijuana with a physician’s recommendation. B. California allows qualified individuals to grow their own marijuana plants for personal use. C. California allows patients to obtain medical marijuana from licensed growers for medical use.
II. The supporters of marijuana legalization seem to waning, as evidenced by the failure of Proposition 19. A. Proposition 19, was recently rejected (2010), which would have allowed a statewide legalization of marijuana. B. The states of Oregon and South Dakota also saw a rejection where medical marijuana initiatives are concerned. C. In Arizona, the compassionate-use act was being considered, however it lost by a slim margin.
III. The role of marijuana dispensaries and how they operate. A. The city of Los Angeles limited the maximum number of dispensaries to seventy. B. By
Introduction: In today’s society, there are many views on the legal status of marijuana. Some people are supporters, others are opposed and there are those who have a neutral view on the issue of marijuana decriminalization and legalization. The following contains a wide range of views, with us living in the United States; we have the right to freedom of speech to express our views and site facts on controversial issues.
Thesis: The facts and opinions pertaining to decriminalizing and legalizing marijuana are many and varied, with the facts being the main focus of discussion. Our nation has differing views on the issue and continues to debate, should marijuana be decriminalized, legalized or should the laws of today remain intact.
I. The first article “Up in Smoke” Ward (2010) describes the legalization of marijuana and the positive attributes it would provide in regard to the government and individuals with health issues. A. California was the first state to legalize the use of medical marijuana with a physician’s recommendation. B. California allows qualified individuals to grow their own marijuana plants for personal use. C. California allows patients to obtain medical marijuana from licensed growers for medical use.
II. The supporters of marijuana legalization seem to waning, as evidenced by the failure of Proposition 19. A. Proposition 19, was recently rejected (2010), which would have allowed a statewide legalization of marijuana. B. The states of Oregon and South Dakota also saw a rejection where medical marijuana initiatives are concerned. C. In Arizona, the compassionate-use act was being considered, however it lost by a slim margin.
III. The role of marijuana dispensaries and how they operate. A. The city of Los Angeles limited the maximum number of dispensaries to seventy. B. By
References: Ward, S. (2010). Up in smoke. ABA Journal, 96(12), 60-64. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com Joffe, A., & Yancy, W. (2004). Legalization of marijuana: Potential impact on youth. Pediatrics, 113(632), 638. Retrieved from http://www.pediatrics.org "Decriminalizing Marijuanana." (2011): n.pag. Issues & Controversies on File. Web. 25 Oct 2012.