Ethics: Theory and Practice
Ethics: Theory and Practice
“Legalizing Marijuana”
Ramiro Torres
SOC 120
John Meeks
7 April 2013
It seems that one of the most controversial issues in our society today is about the legalization of marijuana. Ethics tends to play a very important role when trying to come up with an answer to the problems that arise when the subject is brought up. It raises ethical issues in personal, political and religious circles. Depending on an individual believes is right or wrong can also help influence on which way they will chose to vote for the legalization of marijuana if it was ever to be put to a ballot. In reading about the use and side effects of the use of marijuana I found that there were many pros and cons to this subject. In my opinion utilitarianism theories could be used in helping to resolve the problems on these issues people are having in regards to legalizing its use. According to Mosser, utilitarian’s would approach ethics by the moral worth of an action and that was what would end up determining the usefulness, so in theory a drug that is illegal had more positive uses to it than negative effects, especially if used properly and not abused that it would be possible for the steps to be taken for the legalizing it. However, politics seem to play a big part in it not being legalized its use while the more liberal people are the less they see a drug problem. Instead many would rather legalize it and tax it to help boost the economic in the recent downward spiral America is under. It seems unreal the people would not try to change the policies on this drug so, that hemp could be used to stop trees from getting chopped down to using it for fossil fuels and minimizing the amount of foreign fossil fuels that Americans depend upon (Murphy, 2009, WFP). For many decades, marijuana has been a very popular and controversial issue in society. Yet the rumors around cannabis, aka marijuana, are not all true. In fact, most of the
“Legalizing Marijuana”
Ramiro Torres
SOC 120
John Meeks
7 April 2013
It seems that one of the most controversial issues in our society today is about the legalization of marijuana. Ethics tends to play a very important role when trying to come up with an answer to the problems that arise when the subject is brought up. It raises ethical issues in personal, political and religious circles. Depending on an individual believes is right or wrong can also help influence on which way they will chose to vote for the legalization of marijuana if it was ever to be put to a ballot. In reading about the use and side effects of the use of marijuana I found that there were many pros and cons to this subject. In my opinion utilitarianism theories could be used in helping to resolve the problems on these issues people are having in regards to legalizing its use. According to Mosser, utilitarian’s would approach ethics by the moral worth of an action and that was what would end up determining the usefulness, so in theory a drug that is illegal had more positive uses to it than negative effects, especially if used properly and not abused that it would be possible for the steps to be taken for the legalizing it. However, politics seem to play a big part in it not being legalized its use while the more liberal people are the less they see a drug problem. Instead many would rather legalize it and tax it to help boost the economic in the recent downward spiral America is under. It seems unreal the people would not try to change the policies on this drug so, that hemp could be used to stop trees from getting chopped down to using it for fossil fuels and minimizing the amount of foreign fossil fuels that Americans depend upon (Murphy, 2009, WFP). For many decades, marijuana has been a very popular and controversial issue in society. Yet the rumors around cannabis, aka marijuana, are not all true. In fact, most of the
References: Crofton, G. (2000, November). Arrest made in hunter, son’s shooting. Tahoe Daily Tribune. Retrieved from http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?SearchID=73098975942687&Avis=TD&Dato=20001103&Kategori=NEWS&Lopenr=111037910&Ref=AR Drugs. (2005). In Iberia and the Americas: Culture, Politics, and History. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/abcibamrle/drugs Easton, S.T. (June 17, 2004). Legalize it - for the economy 's sake [Toronto Edition] National Post. Don Mills, Ont. Retrieved from http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=0&did=654618281&SrchMode=2&sid=3&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1336832815&clientId=74379 marijuana. (2008) The Columbia Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/columency/marijuana Marijuana. (2003). In Handbook of Forensic Psychology: Resource for Mental Health and Legal Professionals. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/estforensic/marijuana Marijuana. (2004). In Encyclopedia of Women 's Health. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/sprwh/marijuana Medical Marijuana. (2010). In Culture Wars: An Encyclopedia of Issues, Viewpoints, and Voices. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/sharpecw/medical_marijuana Moffatt, M. (2004) Should Governments Legalize and Tax Marijuana? [Examining a Recent Study on Legalization] Retrieved from http://economics.about.com/od/incometaxestaxcuts/a/marijuana.htm Mosser, K. (2010) Ethics & Social Responsibility, Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/books/AUSOC120.10.2/sections/ch00