Abstract The paper analyzes the pros and cons of the marijuanadecriminalization 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 decriminalizingmarijuana 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 This paper reports that the existing literature definitively shows that using marijuana can both help and hinder the people who use it. The paper stresses that countries that have decriminalizedmarijuana--including Canada, Great Britain, Australia, and The Netherlands--have used scientific evidence as well as popular opinion to come by their decisions in this matter. The author believes that much more research, similar to projects that have been done on cigarettes and alcohol, is needed. A questionnaire and answers from a small project conducted by the author is included.
Table of Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Literature Review
Findings
Research Methodology
Conclusions
Appendix
From the Paper "Perhaps the most significant argument in favor of making marijuana legal is the growing body of scientific evidence that it is beneficial in treating patients with a variety of painful ailments. The most well known of these treatments is for glaucoma. Marijuana has long been used to treat glaucoma pain, and for a long time was the only approved use of the substance in most nations. However, now there is evidence that marijuana can help alleviate pain and other symptoms in a wide variety of diseases. People suffering from such a wide variety of ailments as cancer, AIDS, post-polio syndrome, and colitis have all reported experiencing a much greater degree of relief of symptoms while taking marijuana than from any other medicine. However, since marijuana is still illegal in many places, many people who would find benefit from it are left out in the cold, afraid of being arrested, and continue to suffer needlessly. Those nations that have moved toward decriminalizing marijuana have also taken an important step in alleviating the pain of many of their citizens who need marijuana to get by and live normal lives."
Abstract This paper discusses a study on marijuana that has shown that there are valid medicinal purposes to making this drug legal, and the federal government needs to stop criminalizing medical users. By understanding the sinister motives of the federal government to keep it illegal through criminal profiteering (through excessive and irresponsible funding for private prisons, lumber companies, and police enforcement agencies), one can surely hope that a democratic humanity can overcome their erroneous ways by allowing the sick and suffering access to this highly effective drug.
From the Paper "The basis of this legal study will be to argue for the currently illegal drug marijuana to be used legally for medicinal purposes. By showing the recent studies that validate the proof for this claim in the medical field, one can surely see how the denial of the American justice system denies pain relief for the sick and suffering. The federal law that criminalizes marijuana is supported by non-empirical evidence, which suggest that lumber companies, police enforcement agencies, and politicians are profiteering off of marijuana as a deviant aspect of American culture. With American citizens seeking valid information to uphold this helpful drug, the law could and should be focused on decriminalization for this drug."
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 This paper explains that a large majority of the American people believe marijuana should be decriminalized for medical usage for specific ailments. The author points out that, while there may be other drugs available that can aid in some of the medicinal uses for which marijuana could be used, marijuana seems to have more medical uses than many other drugs. The paper stresses that medicinal marijuana has been used for thousands of years without adverse effects.
From the Paper "First, is marijuana a safe and effective medicine? Proponents maintain marijuana has been used medicinally for thousands of years and for a variety of uses. They claim that it is safe, no one has ever "died of an overdose," and that it is safe, effective, and helpful in a variety of serious ailments, from multiple sclerosis to cancer and AIDS. In fact, even the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) chief administrative law judge maintains the DEA should decriminalize marijuana partly because of its medicinal benefits ("Briefing Paper"). Clearly, a variety of experts agrees that marijuana has numerous medicinal benefits, and can help a wide variety of patients."
Tags: majority, decriminalized, alternative, safe, cancer
Abstract This paper discusses the history of marijuana use, and the modern day use of cannabis. It looks at the distribution of users in various countries, and the decriminalization of marijuana in several countries.
From the Paper "Marijuana is defined as a preparation made from the dried flower clusters and leaves of the cannabis plant usually smoked or eaten to induce euphoria. A more potent form of cannabis is found in hashish which is a resin extracted from the ..."
Abstract This paper reviews the debate surrounding the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes. This paper explores three areas of controversy: the claims that marijuana is "dangerous and addictive," that marijuana is a "gateway" drug; and that decriminalization would lead to increased use.
From the Paper "The Drug Enforcement Administration (Marijuana, the Facts, 2001) argues, among other things, that marijuana leads to crime. To support this assertion they claim that 40% of males arrested for crimes have marijuana in their blood at the time of arrest. However, this fact does not show any causal relationship. The same males may also have tested positive for alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine, but we do not claim these substances "cause" crime. Correlated information does not prove cause. The same source also states that THC content in marijuana has risen dramatically in recent years, thus, making it more dangerous. But this is really an argument for legislation to legalize. The THC content could be controlled, as alcohol is controlled in beer, wine, and whiskey, if marijuana were legal. Although the "drug warriors" claim that marijuana is "dangerous and addictive," no one has ever died from using it, and there is no known level where an overdose could happen. "
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 This paper examines both sides of the debate to legalize marijuana, particularly in light of recent ballot initiatives to decriminalize or loosen marijuana laws. The first part of the paper evaluates the arguments of those who favor keeping marijuana illegal, focusing on arguments of the gateway drug concept and the health dangers of marijuana use. The second part of the paper looks at the arguments for legalizing marijuana, especially for medicinal purposes.
From the Paper "The similarity between the pleasure-effects of marijuana and heroin and the severity of its withdrawal symptoms lends credence to the controversial "gateway" theory. Critics of legalization argue that marijuana users who do not choose to stop can very well become inured to the drug's pleasure effects. This may lead them to seek the same pleasure effects from stronger and deadlier drugs such as cocaine."
Abstract This paper serves as an evaluative essay that advocates decriminalizingmarijuana use and possession. The writer discusses such legalization of marijuana from the utility, virtue and justice perspectives. The writer examines the state versus the individual in this regard. The costs involved in prohibiting marijuana are also explored in this article.
From the Paper "British philosopher, John Stuart Mill proclaimed more than a century and a half ago that the state has no right interfering in individual behavior that might harm the individual, but bring no harm to others. Over himself over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign. Despite Mill's liberal view, the conservative approach to marijuana control, disregards such philosophy spending billions of dollars per year to enforce the prohibition of marijuana. Such an approach causes high levels of economic and social costs that are ... "
Tags: pot, cannabis, John Stuart Mill, Jimmy Carter, law enforcement, individual liberty, Libertarian, philosophy
A research paper that gives a detailed overview on the legalization of marijuana, an analysis of its medical uses and an insight into laws surrounding the controversy.
Abstract This paper is an in-depth look at why marijuana's use for medical application is a purpose important enough to legalize the substance with pharmaceutical control by the government. The author examines scientific and historical background of marijuana, and the lack of public information on marijuana.
Outline
Medical marijuana use.
Ancient use of marijuana Marijuana used for religion and other things.
Facts about marijuana.
Research on marijuana's potential abuse.
Lack of public information on marijuana "Legal" drugs abuse
Media hype of marijuana Ethnic tendency towards abuse
Marijuana and cancer chemotherapy
Marijuana and AIDS
Other medical uses of marijuana Enough medical research.
Cannabis research
AIDS patients and marijuana.
Medical marijuana activists
Voters in favor of legalizing marijuana in many states.
Positive medical applications of cannabis.
Many countries have legalized medicinal marijuana.
From the Paper "Marijuana has been known for centuries and played a significant role in human history, being used for religious ceremonies, rope, medicine and recreation, among other registered uses. An enormous amount of hypothesis has been developed concerning other uses, or consequences of using dope. Mythologies from many countries speak of numberless gods and deids. It is possible many of these gods were imagined or seen by shaman or oracles that were under the influences of drugs. Cannabis use was mentioned in the fours Vedas (from India), one of the oldest religious manuscripts (Harrison, 70). Such Reginald Campbell and R Everett offer a general overview of marijuana in Substance Abuse in Workplace: ? The most common form of marijuana found in the U.S. is Cannabis Sativa... There are about 421 known chemicals in the plant... but the active chemical is believed to be the tetrahydro-cannabinols (THC), oils possessing physiological activity... Some symptoms of marijuana intoxication include confusion, euphoria, hallucinations, hunger, red eyes, ego-inflation, dry mouth, excessive laughing and coma? (42-43). Marijuana intoxication is said to last two to three hours, but the ingredient delta-9-tetrahydro -cannabinol can accumulate in brain and testes tissues (Hubbard, Franco, Onaivi, 1999). Marijuana, pot or weed, among other names, has a variety of practical uses. Hemp is used to built cords and even clothing. There are a number of websites on the Internet that offer a variety of products made out of hemp. Sadly, it is to blame that such a helpful herb be considered illegal due to the bad nature and unconsciousness of humans."
Abstract An in-depth look at the history and usage of medical Marijuana. The author looks at marijuana usage in different cultures for different medical conditions.
From the paper:
"Marijuana is the common name for a drug comprised of the leaves and flowering tops of the Indian hemp plant, cannabis sativa, which can be smoked or eaten for unique feelings. The active ingredient of marijuana, known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is concentrated in the flowering tops of the Indian hemp plant. In the USA, the legality of marijuana, found to be medically useful by some, has been a controversial topic for decades (Nahas 1)."
Abstract This paper analyzes the recent Supreme Court ruling about the usage of Marijuana for medical purposes. The use of marijuana for medicinal purposes has been a hotly debated topic for a long time now. Doctors have repeatedly pointed out the benefits of the drug but at the same time critics have lashed out at such justifications pointing out the threats that it poses to teenagers and adults alike who indulge in free use of marijuana.
Abstract This paper studies the belief that marijuana is superior to other anti-emetic drugs that are available for chemotherapy patients. The paper looks at the qualities, benefits and effects of marijuana. The writer looks at evidence for marijuana's effects on nausea and concludes that there is no experimental evidence to date, that shows it is more effective than the available legal anti-emetic drugs.
From the Paper "Medical marijuana has been shown to reduce the nausea associated with chemotherapy for cancer and the nausea associated with AIDS or from the use of AIDS medications. It has also been found beneficial in the treatment of glaucoma to reduce intra ocular pressure in multiple sclerosis to limit muscle pain, to prevent epileptic seizures in some forms of epilepsy and for the relief of chronic debilitating pain in many disorders and injuries. Medicines containing marijuana were legal prior to the Marijuana Tax Act which prohibits ... "
