Marijuana Legalization

Persuasive Essay # 101408

Hot Topics
Medical and Health > Drugs
Psychology > Alcohol and Drugs

This paper argues that the legalization of marijuana would have a negative impact on society and public health.

1,236 words () | 5 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper asserts that the detriments of legalization clearly outweigh the benefits from a social standpoint as well as from a public health perspective. The paper suggests that adjusting the current campaign on drug abuse and the sale of drugs is an alternative to legalization. The paper is of the opinion that this limits the need to provide federal oversight and sponsorship of a drug that is still questionable in its benefits to public health and society.

Outline:
Health Detriments of Marijuana
Social Implications

From the Paper:

"The growing static surrounding the legalization of marijuana has increased over the past 20 years due to the rise of medical marijuana use and the strict laws the encompass the possession of marijuana. The maturation of the baby boomer generation is providing a vocal venue in which to platform the legalization of marijuana. However, what are the true benefits of legalizing marijuana? Will the legalization of this drug resolve the issues of black market sales and a decrease in recreational use? Most likely, the legalization of marijuana will only serve to perpetuate recreational use and instigate a governmental nightmare in regulation and policymaking."

Sample of Sources Used:

Hall, Wayne and Joan Nelson. "Correlates of the perceived health risks of marijuana use among Australian adults".Drug and Alcohol Review. 15.2 (1996): 137-143.
Jayakody, Rukmalie. "Welfare Reform, Substance Use, and Mental Health". Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law. 25.4 (2000): 623-651.
Millstein, Susan G. PhD, Charles E. Irwin Jr MD, Nancy E. Adler PhD, Laurence D. Cohn PhD, Susan M. Kegeles PhD, and M. Margaret Dolcini PhD. "Health-Risk Behaviors and Health Concerns Among Young Adolescents". Pediatrics 89.3(1992): 422-428.
Puskar, Kathryn R., Kathleen Tusaie-Mumford, Susan Sereika, Jacqueline Lamb. "Health Concerns and Risk Behaviors of Rural Adolescents". Journal of Community Health Nursing. 16.2(1999): 109-119.
Rosenfeld, Richard and Scott H. Decker. "The relationship between criminal justice and public health indicators of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana use". Justice Quarterly. 16.3 (1999): 685-699.