Research Paper Marijuana Legalization
Abstract Marijuana is the people’s drug of choice; it’s the most popular drug of all the drugs. Made famous in movies (Cheech and Chong), hit an all-time boom in the 60’s when smoke to rebel against law enforcement. It is popular even though it is illegal in the United States; I explain in this paper why we should take advantage of its popularity and help our struggling economy. How we can use the way Amsterdam regulates its recreational marijuana, and implement it in the United States. Violence will drop dramatically especially in the towns close to the Mexican border. These are more than enough reasons as to why we should legalize marijuana, there is nothing but benefits.
Jose Silva
Brittney Carman
English 102-06
Research Paper
November 8, 2011
Marijuana or also known as Cannabis is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of Cannabis sativa. (Yacoubian, G. S. (2007), pg 18) This drug contains a chemical called tetrahydrocannabinol or also knows as THC. The mind reacts to THC, it alters the mind. All forms of marijuana have this affect on the user. Overall the drug contains over 400 chemicals some of which are carcinogenic.
Though marijuana is widely popular in the states, marijuana didn’t originate in the states. “The Cannabis (marijuana) plant is native to Central Asia, possibly on the Himalayas or the Altai Mountains it is said that around 2000 B.C., the Egyptians used cannabis to treat sore eyes.” (Webley, K. (2010 pg. 22) Believe it or not, the United States at one point even encouraged the growth of Cannabis, was grown as a source of fiber. Something interesting is that the Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper, material from the Cannabis plant aka Marijuana plant. The Cannabis plant was such a popular crop that in 1890 it was the major cash crop in the southern state, yes even above cotton.
Such endorsements slowed and eventually became nonexistent after 1937, when the Marihuana Tax
Jose Silva
Brittney Carman
English 102-06
Research Paper
November 8, 2011
Marijuana or also known as Cannabis is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of Cannabis sativa. (Yacoubian, G. S. (2007), pg 18) This drug contains a chemical called tetrahydrocannabinol or also knows as THC. The mind reacts to THC, it alters the mind. All forms of marijuana have this affect on the user. Overall the drug contains over 400 chemicals some of which are carcinogenic.
Though marijuana is widely popular in the states, marijuana didn’t originate in the states. “The Cannabis (marijuana) plant is native to Central Asia, possibly on the Himalayas or the Altai Mountains it is said that around 2000 B.C., the Egyptians used cannabis to treat sore eyes.” (Webley, K. (2010 pg. 22) Believe it or not, the United States at one point even encouraged the growth of Cannabis, was grown as a source of fiber. Something interesting is that the Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper, material from the Cannabis plant aka Marijuana plant. The Cannabis plant was such a popular crop that in 1890 it was the major cash crop in the southern state, yes even above cotton.
Such endorsements slowed and eventually became nonexistent after 1937, when the Marihuana Tax
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