Abstract This paper looks at the reasons for decriminalization of marijuana, citing studies which show it would not increase use of the drug, and would not lead to the use of hard drugs. It also cites the attitutes of other countries around the world on possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use.
Abstract The paper analyzes the pros and cons of the marijuana decriminalization debate. The paper briefly examines both sides of the argument and concludes that there is compelling evidence arguing against the continued decriminalization of marijuana. Specifically, the paper looks at the resources which can be diverted to more important issues, and also at the way that decriminalizing marijuana could make the difficult tasks of police officers considerably easier. The paper concludes that that marijuana is less problematic than alcohol and over-the-counter drugs and that decriminalization would be beneficial.
From the Paper "There can be little question that marijuana use has polarized the American in ways that would have been unanticipated even a few years ago. Not least of all, there is a battle ongoing between those who feel the decriminalization of marijuana is simply a step forward and one more means of allocating police resources more efficiently, and those who feel that rampant marijuana use - and certainly its decriminalization - is one more instance of America's moral decay. The following paper will review the arguments against marijuana decriminalization and the arguments in favor of marijuana decriminalization. As should become apparent, there are a number of compelling and trenchant arguments against continuing the prohibition against a drug that causes far less havoc each and every year than do alcohol and/or over-the-counter prescription drugs. With that in mind, it is to a discussion of this thorny issue that this paper now turns."
Abstract The paper maintains that marijuana laws are costly and ineffective and its decriminalization will allow for a more judicious allocation of funds. The paper argues that decriminalization will undermine the black market and will not precipitate the increased consumption of the narcotic by young people. The paper concludes that the positives of decriminalization certainly outweigh the negatives.
From the Paper "To begin with, the marijuana laws in America are costly to enforce and inefficacious. For instance, a July 2005 report revealed that federal spending devoted to enforcing criminal sanctions against marijuana use runs to around $4 billion each year - and yet fails to make any perceptible impact upon the country's perception of, or use of, marijuana. What makes the matter more problematic is the fact that the federal government spends more on enforcing marijuana prohibition than it does on policy formulation or on treatment programs (Hemp Information, para.1). Suffice it to say, any laws which are costly and which have little impact upon a perceived problem should be dramatically altered in their scope and application - or struck down entirely."
Abstract This paper examines the decriminalization of drugs as an avenue to halt the drug problem so prevalent in the United States. Alcohol is brought out as a possible comparison to the drug situation America is facing and how the decriminalization of alcohol did not spell the end of America.
Abstract This paper discusses how the decriminalization of prostitution in Toronto may be advantageous for sex workers. It states that although women are supposedly equal in Canada, somehow thousands of Canadian women still end up in sex work - a line of work in which they are at risk of violence, diseases and death. The paper argues that laws meant to protect society actually victimize people who are already at the bottom rung of society - marginalized, poor women - as well as a smaller group of male and transsexual prostitutes, and even some children. Law enforcers and the public frequently launch campaigns aimed at removing sex workers altogether - such as closing brothels and massage parlors. This does not remove sex workers - it merely makes them less safe. The paper concludes that protecting the rights of sex workers and decriminalizing prostitution will help to protect their safety and welfare.
From the Paper "The lives of sex workers are fraught with risks and threats. For example, by the very nature of their work, they are at risk of contracting a range of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, which is usually terminal. One might argue that sex workers should protect themselves by practicing safe sex. However, the reality is that these people are in a very disempowered position in society, and consequently, they are very often not in a position to insist on safe sex practices. A key part of their disempowerment is that they have little recourse to the law. In other words, if they are forced to have unsafe sex, they do not feel safe in laying a charge with the police. This is because their line of work is circumscribed by laws that aim to end prostitution, and therefore they do not feel safe phoning the police. Thus, one of the key reasons why the legal system pertaining to sex work should be changed is that this would facilitate equal rights to police protection for sex workers - who desperately need such protection."
Tags: sex workers, crime legal legalization prostitute prejudice victimization violence
Abstract This paper talks about how it would be beneficial for the Canadian government, as well as the Canadian citizens, if marijuana is legalized or decriminalized. The paper covers issues such as the government's biased opinion towards marijuana, how the amount of people in jail for marijuana use are tying up the legal system as well as legal system funds and how legalization would reduce the amount of drug rings in Canada. The paper also discusses the Marijuana Party of Canada and many of their major points (platforms).
From the Paper "Weed, pot, trees, grass, ganja, Mary Jane, reefer, chronic, and bud are all slang terms. Slang terms for a drug commonly called marijuana, scientifically referred to as cannabis. This drug has been gaining prominence in the media lately and with good reason simply because it is such a controversial topic with many differing viewpoints. A number of politicians began to question Canada's marijuana laws after Canadian athlete, Ross Rebagliati, temporarily lost his gold medal in Olympic snowboarding when tests revealed the presence of a small amount of marijuana in his body. Indeed, many Canadian citizens were outraged when the International Olympic Committee stripped Rebagliati of his medal simply because he tested positive for the drug (Gage, 2001). After all, some argued, marijuana is not a performance-enhancing drug, so his use of it could not have led to his winning the gold."
Abstract This paper will discuss the nature of the legalization of drugs, and the possibilities of decriminalization that have been brought before our nations courts. By understanding what the arguments are for both sides, we can argue for a more balanced approach to the issue of legalization and what this means. In essence, we can rely on creating an argument for drugs to be a good medical source that could be legally created, and also would help to lower levels of criminals that are imprisoned for this offense. By realizing the sides of the argument, we can see how drugs can be brought into the system on a legal basis that would be responsibly used.
Abstract This paper will endeavor to make a case for the support of the decriminalization of vice and sin, in this case via the example of prostitution by looking at it as an ineluctable part of day-to-day life; the reasons are threefold, although further cases in point can certainly be alluded to.
Abstract This paper examines how the American public has the choice to continue standing in opposition to reality and trivialize the risks sex workers face or to recognize that, regardless of its reputation or acceptance, it is a viable employment option for a number of people and deserves, at a minimum, protection under the law just as any other profession. It looks at how decriminalization could be the first step in creating a dialogue in understanding what prostitution truthfully entails and why it continues to persevere throughout the ages despite moral and social condemnation.
From the Paper "Traditional means of handling prostitution in the U.S. demonstrate a preference for lengthening punishments and the use of strong-arm tactics. Prostitution did not receive recognition as a major social concern until after the Civil War when an abolitionist group sought to draw attention to this issue by launching a "propaganda battle", which is considered ?largely responsible for the characterization of the prostitute as the "fallen woman" recruited by "vice lords" through an extensive white slave traffic? (Jennings 1239). The group's efforts led to the implementation of the Federal White Slave Act in 1910, which marked the closing of most legitimate brothels and outlawed pandering and soliciting in a majority of the states (Jennings 1239)."
Abstract This paper attempts to show that if illegal drug use leads to increased crime, then the decriminalization of drugs would lead to a reduction in crime rates and, therefore, an improvement society. The paper supports this hypothesis through an extensive literature review as well as research conducted by the author in the form of a personal interview and a questionnaire submitted to local students.
Table of Contents
Abstract
Hypothesis
Introduction
Literature Review
Methodology
Results
Discussion
From the Paper "It is time for America to swallow its pride and admit defeat. The war on drugs has been a losing battle from its inception. But despite this loss, we can move on and we can better society. The problems associated with drugs in America can be solved without a war. The drastic step of legalizing drugs will allow us to finally conquer the problems associated with drug use and crime which have continued to plague our nation despite vast efforts of ineffective reform. The information provided in this paper will serve the purpose of supporting this perspective."
Tags: american, cities, streets, casualties, prisons, overcrowded, prohibits, sale, manufacture
Abstract This paper argues that the current war on drugs has been an extremely costly failure for the U.S. According to the author, current anti-drug policy -- which includes the use and sale of controlled substances -- is simply impossible to enforce. The author looks at the cost of the war on drugs, both in terms of lives and dollars that could be saved from switching priorities. Then the paper debates medical statistics, citing that (currently) illegal drugs result in many fewer deaths each year than legal ones, such as alcohol and tobacco. Finally, the paper deconstructs the commonly held belief that marijuana is a gateway drug. The paper concludes with the author's recommendation that drug use be decriminalized.
From the Paper "The United States has been engaged in a "war on drugs" since the mid-1970s. The reported 59 percent decrease in illegal drug use has been achieved at a cost of an increase of 12,000 percent in the enforcement budget between 1973 and 1993. Attorney General Janet Reno has quoted federal officials as saying that in order for the interdiction of drugs entering the country to be effective, a total of 75 percent would have to be achieved. Since the amount officials claim has been interdicted is only 25 percent, even law enforcement policy makers admit that a successful interdiction program would be cost prohibitive."
Tags: war, on, drugs, law, education, treatement, marijuana, economy, police, enforcement, agency
Abstract The paper argues that euthanasia should be decriminalized. The paper is written from an ethical point of view. The writer explains that the argument is based on weighing the ethics of permitting death within the medical establishment, or the ethics of limiting personal freedom and responsibility. The paper concludes that in the end, the right to choose must be given greater importance than the moral concerns of only one contingent of society.
From the Paper "To be sure, euthanasia represents one of the most complex and heavily debated issues in modern, Western society. With recent high-profile examples like the Terri Schiavo case in Florida or the failed attempts by the Bush administration to outlaw euthanasia in Oregon, the topic seems to be at the forefront of cultural development. When we consider the ethics of the matter, it is important to weigh the moral cost of death against the moral cost of restricting freedom. This paper will argue that euthanasia should be decriminalized because it is the final example of the importance of freedom and the right to choose."
Abstract The paper reveals that the decriminalization of drug abuse has not been so successful in other countries. Most Canadians favouring de-criminalization refer to cannabis or their own drug preferences, unaware of thousands of persons trapped in heroin and especially crack cocaine abuse and related criminality. Having laws against drug trafficking helps medical professionals to help the addict who wants to change his or her life, perhaps believing an addiction cannot be overcome. The paper provides comments on harm reduction, the need to help the addict and the ethics of keeping some drug laws in place towards this end.
From the Paper "Western countries have seen rising addiction to illegal drugs, related crime and overall harm to the public (Allen, 2005). This paper examines the issue of drug decriminalization, noting a number of arguments for and against, indicating that decriminalization is not a solution to the drug addiction problem. In addition to textual research, time was taken to visit two Toronto areas noted for addicts and related criminal activities. This allowed for observation of people whose entire lives are centred on drug abuse as helped to see defects in the arguments of those who recommend decriminalization."
Abstract This paper discusses the need for the decriminalization or legalization of prostitution in the United States for the benefit of both sex workers and average citizens. It provides an analysis of legal prostitution as compared to illegal prostitution and the concept of privacy rights in regards to the sale of one's own body. It also discusses the impact of religion on the legislative process.
From the Paper "The issue of prostitution in the United States is one that has been constantly debated throughout the years. Those who wish prostitution to remain illegal claim that prostitution is harmful to society both morally and physically. Supporters of decriminalization and legalization, on the other hand, feel that prostitution is a harmless private act or a "victimless crime." While matters of sexuality will always be debated and are deep personal choices of all individuals, the benefits of doing away with the archaic prohibition of "the world's oldest profession" are clear. When one analyzes the issue from a moral standpoint, the argument comes down to the common goal of any system of ethics, which is a society in which individuals do the greatest good for themselves and others in any manner of their choosing so long as they do not harm any others. One must ask then, which system provides the greatest good while doing the least harm? The system of prohibition in which a holier-than-thou attitude creates second-class citizens, ignores the problems of prostitution altogether (until said problems affect "normal" citizens), and denies individuals a way to earn a living, or the system of legalization which gives dignity to sex workers, gives them freedom and resources to practice their business in the safest and healthiest ways possible, and participate in a tradition that has been practiced in private since the earliest times of civilization? Clearly, the legalization of prostitution would be an action of great moral value in that it would provide sex workers with the freedom to control their own bodies, achieve legal equality with the rest of society, access healthcare and legal services as a normal American citizen, and receive the same acceptance of any other human being in functioning society."
