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marijuana legalization
Carly Smerchek
Mrs. Goerl
English Comp II 9:00
20, November 2013
Marijuana Legalization Marijuana is a well-known drug that causes many controversies all over America. Many people take part in the use of marijuana illegally and get away with it day by day. Also, in some states it is already legal for medical purposes. There’s an abundance of different opinions of the drug, which makes it very controversial in the aspect of legalization. It’s the most accessible drug in America and commonly used. There’s many benefits and problems that legalization could cause. Marijuana is the name for a drug contained in the leaves and flowering tops of the hemp plant, scientifically known as Cannabis Sativa. The drug contains THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) which affects the nervous system and contains chemicals that work by binding to specific areas in the brain and nerves. It helps with reducing pain and vomiting caused by chemotherapy for cancer patients and helps AID patients combat the appetite loss. The drug also helps with hemorrhoids, leprosy, and glaucoma. Some believe it can even help depression. Also, Marijuana causes increased appetite, reddening of the eyes and increased heart rate. There has been no report of any major risks or side effects. The most common reactions include feelings of unease, anxiety, or restlessness, which usually pass without outside intervention. Other risks include smoking-related respiratory damage and temporary impairment of short-term memory. (Marijuana Fast Facts) Kansas is a very strict state on the marijuana policy. Possession of any amount of marijuana can land Kansans in prison for up to a year. Along with a $1,000 fine. And if caught with marijuana once more, they could be convicted of a felony and face up to three and a half years in prison and a $100,000 fine. Studies show that all these penalties do not affect consumption rates, but they do impact society. It costs taxpayers for arrests, incarceration, and legal



Cited: “Legalization will reduce crime, free up police resources” “Marijuana Laws in Kansas” Khamsi, Roxanne. "Going To Pot." Scientific American 308.6 (2013): 34-36. Business Source Complete. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. < http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA334920082&v=2.1&u=klnb_bartonccc&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w&asid=d691dd894fee619d5a62c65053355e4f> Brannon, Ike. "Legalizing marijuana: money over minds." Regulation 36.3 (2013): 16. General OneFile. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. Barnes, R. Eric. "Reefer Madness: Legal & Moral Issues Surrounding the Medical Prescription Of Marijuana." Bioethics 14.1 (2000): 16. Academic Search Complete. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. Mello, Jeffrey. "Employment And Public Policy Issues Surrounding Medical Marijuana In The Workplace." Journal of Business Ethics 117.3 (2013): 659-666. Business Source Complete. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. Gray, Eliza. "New High: Majority Of Americans Now Favor Legalizing Marijuana." Time.Com (2013): 1. Business Source Complete. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. "Marijuana: Fast Facts." Marijuana Fast Facts (2011): 1-2. Consumer Health Complete - EBSCOhost. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. Yacoubian, George S. "Assessing the Relationship between Marijuana Availability and Marijuana Use: A Legal and Sociological Comparison between the United States and the Netherlands." Journal of Alcohol & Drug Education 51.4 (2007): 17-34. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection. Web. 20 Nov. 2013.

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