Legalization Debate on Marijuana

Paper Summary:

This paper argues that marijuana use should not be made legal, and the punishment for using marijuana should not be made less severe. The paper's main argument against the legalization of marijuana is that its use usually leads the user to experiment with and become addicted to drugs that are not only more harmful, but have negative moral and economic consequences as well.

From the Paper:

"There is currently a great deal of debate concerning a relaxation of the laws surrounding drug use, and in particular the use of marijuana. Many individuals, some of them in positions of great power, have spoken out in favor of legalizing dangerous drugs such as marijuana. Examples of this push towards legalization include activist groups such as NORML and many prominent public figures such as President Reagan's former Secretary of State, George Shultz, who is quoted as saying, "that 'Legalization would destroy dealer profits and remove their incentive to get young people addicted.' [or] former Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders' [who made a] call for a study to legalize drugs."' (Maginnis) Protagonists of legalization claim that legalization or the relaxation of laws will save societal resources, eliminate prison overcrowding, help stop organize crime and reduce drug-crime, and aid in the production of safer "products" for medical and personal use that are less addictive or deadly. In fact, legalization is seen as something of a "cure-all", by its supporters, for modern drug-related woes."

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