This distinguished lecture series was based on the topic of legal marijuana. The three main points regarding this topic is whether it is considered to be a medicine, recreation, or a plant. Many people have different views on this topic, whether it is based on religious views or personal beliefs. Overall, Dr. Larry Wolk addresses these points in this…
Slavery has always been a controversial issue within the United States. Whether one considers its involvement with the Civil War or its obvious racial subjugation, slavery is thought to have been one of the most debilitating elements of American history. Slave labor, which profoundly embedded itself within both Southern and Northern societies, provided a method of economy for those who relied heavily on agriculture, while others were more concerned with industrialization. Its main supporters, Southern plantation owners, had everything invested in this “peculiar institution” and were devastated when it was abolished. Their economy simply revolved around slavery; without it they had nothing. It was an…
as to whether to legalize the drug on a federal level or not (Smith 1). There is a battle between…
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.…
Marijuana should be legalized for medical use across the country. Marijuana has a negative stigma attached by the government and public, but is actually a natural and effective medicine. The argument about medical marijuana is starting to spread across the country like wildfire, and the topic should be addressed. This paper will go into depth explanation and reasoning on why medical marijuana should be legalized as soon as possible.…
Former Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders said that “Marijuana is not addictive, not physically addictive anyways” (Balancedpolitics.org) showing her support for legalization. Studies even show that marijuana is not nearly as dangerous as alcohol, when used in moderation. The current problem is, almost half of Americans still traditionally view marijuana as bad. Although countless studies prove them wrong, many people still hold on to the belief that marijuana is “addictive” and that it has no general health benefits. In spite of this, according to the Huffington post, 56% of Americans now believe that it should be legalized. The ideal that “maybe marijuana isn’t quite as bad as I thought” is spreading, and marijuana has already been legalized for medical use in multiple states, and recreational use in two. The social issue of marijuana legalization has left the nation divided, but with today's generation, there seems to be hope in the future for a nation-wide green…
Marijuana is one of the most controversial topics in the U.S today. Many associate the substance with some of the most highly addictive and dangerous drugs used in our society. While others claim marijuana to be the safest substance to use to date. One of the biggest debatable topics amongst marijuana use is the legalization of the substance medically. Many people believe marijuana should be accessible to those with terminally ill diseases. While others believe the drug should be illegal at all cost. Medical marijuana presents many negative issues in our society emotionally, medically and socially. Due to the negative effects from the substance, the use of marijuana should remain illegal in the United States.…
The article argues both sides, but not in an effective way, as it includes many fallacies. The first fallacy I found was a con for medical marijuana. They stated that medical marijuana is bad because the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) oppose it. The article states that the FDA and DEA “do not support the use of smoked marijuana for medical purposes” (ProCons.org). This is a fallacy known as appeal to authority, as the only proof they try to give, is that the FDA and the DEA don’t support it. These 2 parties are obviously biased and their opinion shouldn’t matter, especially the DEA’s as they make tons of money off of marijuana drug busts. Another issue they discuss is that marijuana has little health risks, although this is not entirely true. The article says that, “There is very little evidence that smoking marijuana as a means of taking it represents a significant health risk” (ProCons.org). This is a fallacy known as appeal to ignorance, as the article states that there isn’t enough evidence to conclude that marijuana is unsafe. Although there isn’t enough evidence, it doesn’t necessarily mean that there are no health risks. It is wrong to just assume that there are no health risks, simply due to the lack of evidence. The last fallacy I found was that marijuana can lead to addiction. The article claims that, “The evidence clearly indicates that long-term marijuana use can lead to addiction” (ProCons.org). This statement is obviously a false cause, as the survey group could have just been marijuana smokers with addictive tendencies. Just because a mere 10% of people get addicted to the drug, doesn’t mean that the drug can lead to addiction. There are other factors that they need to take into consideration before concluding that marijuana is an addictive…
The topic of legalizing marijuana has been a topic of controversy for quite some time now not only throughout our local streets, but throughout the local and into the state government. The legalization of marijuana is such a controversial topic because some are for it and some are against it. People are for the legalization because of the great uses it has towards medicine, the money that could come from the taxation of legalized marijuana, and the emptying of prisons because of the releases of marijuana offenses. The list could go on and on. Other people are against the legalization because it is considered a “gateway drug”, or because the legalization of marijuana would eventually lead to the legalization of harder drugs such as heroine or cocaine. Despite the negative comments about the drug, marijuana should be legalized because it would give the U.S. a huge amount of money from the taxation and regulation of the drug, its uses would greatly impact our health throughout the medical field and throughout our own well being, and would help our fight with the war on drugs and our overcrowded prisons.…
The discussion of marijuana legalization in America is a very debatable topic that should be dealt with before the next presidential campaign. Recently, the movement of terminating marijuana prohibition has been at an up rise. As of 2015, there are four states (plus the district of Columbia) that have legalized marijuana for recreational use, and twenty states that have legalized it for medical use only. However, the success of marijuana legalization within these states can easily be taken away. Marijuana legalization is only legal because the federal government has decided to stay out of it, at any time the president can step in and force federal prohibition. This will be an important topic to bring up in the presidential campaign for the…
Proponents for the legalization of marijuana offer several valid reasons to support their positions. The most common reason is that marijuana is proven to be no more harmful to a person’s body then legal drugs, alcohol and tobacco. They believe that the marijuana only affects the mind for a short term and the long-term effects are only minor. Lawyers Adam Ford and Andrew Walter concur, “ Arguments against legalizing marijuana can usually be applied with equal validity to legal substances such as alcohol and tobacco: alcohol and tobacco can be addictive, can lead to financial or social problems when used in excess, and can lead to serious health problems” (1). These two well recognized attorneys agree that marijuana should be treated the same as tobacco and alcohol because most of the reasons opponents give to not legalize marijuana all fall under bad aspects of those…
Marijuana has a history dating back many years, and has been used in various cultures in different ways. In recent years, marijuana has become a forefront topic in the world of American politics whether or not it should be legalized. Marijuana has been adapted to fit our lifestyles and our social environment. A vast amount of the world’s population smoke marijuana for various purposes. Thus, the drug should be legalized because it has many medical beneficial uses, the ability to generate billions of dollars in tax revenue, and would lower the cost to imprison individuals arrested for crimes related to marijuana.…
Since the inception of America’s Community Colleges, the American society has become better educated. The community college system has educated more than forty percent of the United States population. In addition, the community college system has increased at four times the rate of four-year colleges and universities, however the community college system, because of their “open-door” policy, has enrolled a disproportionately large share of college students of color and first-generation students (AACC, 2012).…
As the subject of many debates, the legalization of marijuana in the U.S. has sparked many controversial conversations ranging from the effect on learning to the medicinal uses of the plant. To finally put an end to this argument, Cannabis Sativa should absolutely be legalized, taxed, and definitely used for medicinal purposes. The laws today are immoral and are a waste of time, money and resources. Thinking within a utilitarian mindset, the ideals behind weed being illegal are not only immoral, they are not logical. A utilitarian can see the many uses that outweigh the consequences which are mainly based on the illegality of carrying, using, and growing marijuana. When the ultimate goal of a society is the success of the society itself, changing a law that has a reasonable alternative is an example of one of the many building blocks for a better life for the people. Documented evidence of marijuana use dates back to 500AD when mentioned in the Jewish sacred text (the Talmud). Hemp has been used in many facets in the past and is still used today. The DEA Museum has a collection of antique medicine bottles containing cannabis that were used in the 1800s. In California, Proposition 19 (legalization of marijuana for personal use monitored by local governments) is still debated and currently has not been approved. Many believe that treating marijuana use like alcohol will be the answer to its legalization.…
The legalization of marijuana is an interesting issue that is discussed often today. Many people agree that doing this would have many benefits, but others stand firm in the beliefs that it will do more harm than good. Since the government is not doing a very good job of stopping the import, export, and use of marijuana in the United States, they should stop trying to completely block it, and instead, regulate it. The legalization of marijuana would have many positive effects such as greater amounts of money for more important government responsibilities, more room in jails for the more serious offenders, and would end the use of marijuana by teens just to ?do something bad? and try and get away with it.…