Marijuana and "The War on Drugs" Analytical Essay by scribbler

A look at the US government's "War on Drugs" as it relates to marijuana.
# 151950 | 1,320 words | 9 sources | APA | 2010 | US
Published on Oct 31, 2012 in Medical and Health (Drugs) , Psychology (Alcohol and Drugs)


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Description:

This paper addresses the US government's "War on Drugs" program in terms of marijuana and its current legal status as an illicit drug. The paper argues that the ban on marijuana is based on a number of factors that are not relevant. These factors are considered in terms of their potential racist bias and historical influences. Additionally, the paper presents a brief history of marijuana use in the US and a synopsis of its legal standing over the years. Then, it examines marijuana laws in terms of their impact of civil liberties. Finally, the paper explores a number of reasons that marijuana should be made legal. The paper concludes by stating that the war on drugs violates human rights, dignity, and the right to seek healing when suffering from the harmful effects of chemotherapy drugs, and that the government should promote healing.

Outline:

Introduction
Background
Historical Perspective
Drug Policies and Legislation Today
Conclusion: New Directions

From the Paper:

"Indeed, Guithier mentions that many hold the assumption of marijuana being made illegal by some sort of scientific, medical, and governmental process in order to prove its harmful effects or at least to prove that it has no beneficial effects. Underlying this is also the assumption that the main motive behind the policy was to protect citizens from the dangers of the drug.
"However, according to entities such as the Drug Policy Alliance Network, this is also not the case. Indeed, to a great degree, the current form of the drug policy, especially as regards marijuana, stems from social attitudes such as racism, fear, corporate corruption and greed, and personal career advancements. Furthermore, lawmakers were deceived by those who had an interest in lining their own pockets; doubtlessly some of these alliances were willing cooperating ventures between lawmakers and other officials.
"Because marijuana is more harmful when prohibited than when it is freely available for use, the increasing critical argument is to modify the legislation to end prohibition.
The actual story shows a much different picture. Those who voted on the legal fate of this plant never had the facts, but were dependent on information supplied by those who had a specific agenda to deceive lawmakers."

Sample of Sources Used:

  • American Civil Liberties Union. Drug Law Reform. 2010. Retrieved from: http://www.aclu.org/drug-law-reform
  • Angell, Tom. New FBI Numbers Show Failure of "War on Drugs". Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Press Release, Sept. 14, 2009. Retrieved from: http://www.leap.cc/cms/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=80
  • Brecher, Edward M. The Consumers Union Report on Licit and Illicit Drugs: The Harrison Narcotic Act (1914). Schaffer Library of Drug Policy. Retrieved from: http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/library/studies/cu/cu8.html
  • Drug Policy Alliance Network. Marijuana: The Facts. 2010 Retrieved from: http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana/factsmyths/
  • Drug Policy Alliance Network. The Racial History of U.S. Drug Prohibition. August 2001. http://www.drugpolicy.org/about/position/race_paper_history.cfm

Cite this Analytical Essay:

APA Format

Marijuana and "The War on Drugs" (2012, October 31) Retrieved March 25, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/analytical-essay/marijuana-and-the-war-on-drugs-151950/

MLA Format

"Marijuana and "The War on Drugs"" 31 October 2012. Web. 25 March. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/analytical-essay/marijuana-and-the-war-on-drugs-151950/>

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