Drug Legalization

Paper Summary:

This page paper looks at the argument of decriminalizing the use of marijuana. The paper first looks at what marijuana is and some of its uses. It then presents a brief history of the legal issues concerning this drug and how its prohibition came into being. The paper then looks at arguments for and against the decriminalization of the drug and finally looks at a possible compromise to the argument. The hypothesis of the paper is that decriminalization may have many advantages, but there are also disadvantages, and as such there is a need for a change in the law that will consider and balance the need for change with social and political concerns.

From the Paper:

"The use of marijuana is highly controversial; it is a mind altering substance that is viewed with suspicion by those who are against its use. It is seen as an addictive drug that is able to lead to harder drugs as well as criminal behavior. For others it is perceived as a substance that can give pleasure, argued to be less harmful that tobacco or alcohol and less addictive. The current position is that the use of Marijuana is illegal, with those caught selling it or using it placed at the mercy of the law. Yet there are perceived benefits and disadvantages to its use, both for individuals as well as sociality. The advantages range from beneficial medical use to the way in which police man power may be better focused at drug dealers. In decriminalizing there is no legalizing of drug dealing, but the substance would be under a greater degree of control. The disadvantages include fears of addiction and the way that the substance may alter the mind in the short and long term."

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