Increase Use of Medical Marijuana
Increasing use of Medical Marijuana
ENGL103
Colorado Technical University
March 18, 2013
In the United States of America, marijuana is a Schedule 1 controlled substance; but 17 states and Washington D.C. have legalized medical marijuana. Even though marijuana is legal within those states, it is still a federal offense which is punishable by incarceration and fines. There are many sick people who benefit from using medical marijuana. Medical marijuana helps cancer patients, slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, and treats glaucoma among other things. Medical marijuana advocates hope the government change their views on marijuana and make marijuana legal. There are many benefits for local, state and the federal government if marijuana was to be made legal. Benefits that come from legalizing marijuana are; health benefits, job benefits, economic benefits, and it also save tax payers money on court cost for prosecuting offenders. Another benefit from legalizing marijuana is it would decrease the jail population, and growing hemp would be legal if marijuana was made legal. In 1972, marijuana was placed in Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substance Act. During that time, marijuana was considered to have no accepted medical use. (Medical Marijuana) Under federal law, being in possession of any amount of marijuana is a misdemeanor that can get the offender incarcerated for a year, and fined $1,000. (Federal Penalties) Selling less than 50 kilograms of marijuana is a felony that can get the offender incarcerated for 5 years, and fined $250,000. (Federal Penalties) Cultivating less than 50 plants of marijuana is a felony that can get the offender incarcerated for 5 years, and fined $250,000. (Federal Penalties) Prescription drugs kill hundreds of thousands of people in the world each year, “there are no deaths from cannabis (marijuana) use” (Smith, 2012). Marijuana is a good remedy for treating glaucoma. “Marijuana helps to
ENGL103
Colorado Technical University
March 18, 2013
In the United States of America, marijuana is a Schedule 1 controlled substance; but 17 states and Washington D.C. have legalized medical marijuana. Even though marijuana is legal within those states, it is still a federal offense which is punishable by incarceration and fines. There are many sick people who benefit from using medical marijuana. Medical marijuana helps cancer patients, slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, and treats glaucoma among other things. Medical marijuana advocates hope the government change their views on marijuana and make marijuana legal. There are many benefits for local, state and the federal government if marijuana was to be made legal. Benefits that come from legalizing marijuana are; health benefits, job benefits, economic benefits, and it also save tax payers money on court cost for prosecuting offenders. Another benefit from legalizing marijuana is it would decrease the jail population, and growing hemp would be legal if marijuana was made legal. In 1972, marijuana was placed in Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substance Act. During that time, marijuana was considered to have no accepted medical use. (Medical Marijuana) Under federal law, being in possession of any amount of marijuana is a misdemeanor that can get the offender incarcerated for a year, and fined $1,000. (Federal Penalties) Selling less than 50 kilograms of marijuana is a felony that can get the offender incarcerated for 5 years, and fined $250,000. (Federal Penalties) Cultivating less than 50 plants of marijuana is a felony that can get the offender incarcerated for 5 years, and fined $250,000. (Federal Penalties) Prescription drugs kill hundreds of thousands of people in the world each year, “there are no deaths from cannabis (marijuana) use” (Smith, 2012). Marijuana is a good remedy for treating glaucoma. “Marijuana helps to
Cited: What 's the difference between hemp and marijuana. (2010, March 17). Retrieved from The Cap Times: http://host.madison.com/what-s-the-difference-between-hemp-and-marijuana/article_fb7c0968-3122-11df-a8de-001cc4c03286.html Pot Legalization Could Save U.S Asmar, M. (2013, March 14). Can hemp escape the role of marijuana 's sober stepsister? Retrieved from Denver Westword News: http://www.westword.com/2013-03-14/news/hemp-advocates-amendment-64-marijuana/ Astaiza, R Bradford, H. (2012, November 7). 14 Ways Marijuana Legalization Could Boost The Economy. Retrieved from Huff Post Business: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/07/marijuana-economy-14-reasons_n_2089107.html#slide=1732717 Federal Penalties Klein, J. (2009, April 2). Why Legalizing Marijuan Makes Sense. Retrieved from Time Magazine: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1889166,00.html Medical Marijuana