Should We End Marijuana Prohibition
Should We End Marijuana Prohibition?
Paula J. Telisczak
March 4, 2012
Introduction to Ethics and Social Responsibility
Safiyyah- Al Amin
The subject of legalizing marijuana or keeping illegal has been an ongoing debate for some 40 years. America is getting closer to having the ban on the “devil weed” lifted, with approximately eight states now allowing marijuana for medicinal purposes. While the use of marijuana has been connected to a rise in criminal activity in some communities, marijuana is not the harmful drug everyone thinks it is. It has been found to be a myth that marijuana is a gateway drug, or a stepping-stone to harder more dangerous drugs. The war on drugs is really a war on marijuana. In my opinion, the legalization of marijuana falls under the ethical theory of virtue ethics, which is described as the ethical theory that evaluates the morality of a person doing a certain act. Smoking marijuana is considered by many to be just plain wrong. There are arguments for both sides. Some say, those that smoke pot are doing so under informed consent, those are aware of the possible legal ramifications if they were to be caught. Others say that smoking pot will, without a doubt lead to the use of harder dangerous substance abuse. Marijuana laws are based on falsehoods, misinformation and just plain fear. Pot was domesticated more than 6,000 years ago, it has always been a part of human culture.
Used for medicine, food, fuel, fiber and just for fun. Pot is our genetic and cultural heritage.
(Bruce D. Marsh-New Jersey Sentinel -2-2-12) The prohibition of marijuana is a crime against humanity and a remnant of Jim Crow laws, because minorities are more associated with its usage. Are people so afraid of Willie Nelson, The Beatles or the entire cast of SNL for the last
20 years. Not to mention the last three presidents of the United States and several other
Politian’s admitted to smoking pot as teenagers. The active
Paula J. Telisczak
March 4, 2012
Introduction to Ethics and Social Responsibility
Safiyyah- Al Amin
The subject of legalizing marijuana or keeping illegal has been an ongoing debate for some 40 years. America is getting closer to having the ban on the “devil weed” lifted, with approximately eight states now allowing marijuana for medicinal purposes. While the use of marijuana has been connected to a rise in criminal activity in some communities, marijuana is not the harmful drug everyone thinks it is. It has been found to be a myth that marijuana is a gateway drug, or a stepping-stone to harder more dangerous drugs. The war on drugs is really a war on marijuana. In my opinion, the legalization of marijuana falls under the ethical theory of virtue ethics, which is described as the ethical theory that evaluates the morality of a person doing a certain act. Smoking marijuana is considered by many to be just plain wrong. There are arguments for both sides. Some say, those that smoke pot are doing so under informed consent, those are aware of the possible legal ramifications if they were to be caught. Others say that smoking pot will, without a doubt lead to the use of harder dangerous substance abuse. Marijuana laws are based on falsehoods, misinformation and just plain fear. Pot was domesticated more than 6,000 years ago, it has always been a part of human culture.
Used for medicine, food, fuel, fiber and just for fun. Pot is our genetic and cultural heritage.
(Bruce D. Marsh-New Jersey Sentinel -2-2-12) The prohibition of marijuana is a crime against humanity and a remnant of Jim Crow laws, because minorities are more associated with its usage. Are people so afraid of Willie Nelson, The Beatles or the entire cast of SNL for the last
20 years. Not to mention the last three presidents of the United States and several other
Politian’s admitted to smoking pot as teenagers. The active
References: High Times 09/1/2007 www.alternet.org/story/60959 Nadelmann, E (July 12,2004) An End to Marijuana Prohibition Nadelmann, E (1997) Reefer Madness: The new bag of scare tactics Rolling Stone (754) Dickinson, T. (2009) A Drug War Truce? Rolling Stone (1081) Clark, T. (1997) Keep Marijuana Illegal for Teens The Humanist Schecter, A & Ross, B (2011) Stores Fight Proposed Federal Ban on Legal Marijuana Thomas, P & Jones, L (2010) Synthetic Marijuana: ‘Legal’ High a dangerous thrill for young Americans