The Legalization of Marijuana

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the potential dangers of marijuana, such as driving under the influence of the drug, as well as its role as a gateway drug and finally, the drug's impact on the economy. The paper explores the ramifications of marijuana becoming legalized and concludes that these three variables could be addressed in a way that would support the legalization of marijuana.

Outline:
What is Marijuana
Researchable Issue and Hypothesis
Legal Parameters for the Drug's Safe Use
Gateway Drug Status. Is This a Myth?
Economic Impact of Marijuana Legalization
Justification of the Hypothesis based on Three Variables

From the Paper:

"Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) is a species of plant that, when flowering, produces buds that contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which, when smoked or ingested, stimulate the mind, causing a loss of judgmental ability and occasional hallucinations. The drug is quite popular, so its legalization would not only delight many people, especially some of the nation's youth, but it could potentially positively effect the economy. "In 2000, the NHSDA estimated that over 3 million, or 13 percent, of the 23 million youths aged 12 to 17 used marijuana during the year prior to the survey," a report issued by the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA) reported in 2002. "The rate of past year marijuana use was lower for youths compared with the rate for young adults aged 18 to 25 (24 percent), but it was higher than the rate for adults aged 26 or older (5 percent)." And according to a survey by drugs.com, over 33 percent of Americans (which is over 72 million Americans) over the age of 12 had tried the drug in their lifetimes. Needless to say, it is fairly popular, and its legal use is an aspiration hoped for by many Americans."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bonnie, Richard J. Marijuana use and criminal sanctions: Essays on the theory and practice of decriminalization. Charlottesville, VA: Michie. 1980. 264 p.
• Moffatt, Mike. Should Governments Legalize and Tax Marijuana? 2009. Accessed 27 April 2009. http://economics.about.com/od/incometaxestaxcuts/a/marijuana.htm
• NHSDA. Marijuana Use Among Youths. 2002. Accessed 27 April 2009. http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k2/YouthMJuse/YouthMJuse.htm

More papers on The Legalization of Marijuana:

• Persuasive Essay # 115824 : "The Legalization of Marijuana"
• Argumentative Essay # 123773 : "Reasons Against the Legalization of Marijuana"
• Argumentative Essay # 131436 : "Flaws in the Legalization of Marijuana"
• Argumentative Essay # 83518 : "The Legalization of Marijuana "

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: