Legalization of Marijuana A Review of the Literature

California was the first state to pass a marijuana law in 1913 followed by the rest of the states in the nation until the year of 1937, when marijuana became completely illegal at the federal level. (Guither) Before then, marijuana and specifically hemp had many uses for colonists and farmers and was such a critical crop for a number of purposes, that the government even encouraged its growth. It was not until Henry J. Anslinger saw the Bureau of Narcotics as a fascinating career opportunity that he latched on trying to make marijuana illegal so he could make a name for himself. It stayed outlawed until November 6, 2012, when Colorado and Washington became the first state to legalize the sale and possession of cannabis for recreational use since 1937. The legalization of marijuana has become a hot-button issue in the last several years with fifty-eight percent of Americans wanting the drug to be legalized, surging ten percentage points since 2012. (Swift, 2013) A strong reason why many people changed their mind on keeping marijuana illegal is that scientists and researchers now have enough information to dispute the myth that responsible marijuana use can cause cancer. Clinical studies on the use of cannabis and cancer are few and definitive. However, the ambiguity of most test results done on excessive use of cannabis should not be construed as an endorsement of cannabis’ safety or an allegation of its potential health hazards. (Armentano) Another strong reason why peopleShow MoreRelatedShould Marijuana Be Legal? Essay1234 Words   |  5 PagesRecently doctors have prescribed marijuana, and â€Å"the Clinton administration threatened to prosecute doctors who prescribe marijuana,† (Gonnerman 40). Doctors are prescri bing marijuana for its medical benefits. The Clinton administration on the other hand is outlawing marijuana because it has not been approved by the FDA. Since doctors feel marijuana has medical benefits it should be clinically tested so they can prescribe it for their patients. Marijuana can be used for many medical reasons. ForRead MoreThe War On Drugs And Its Effects On The United States1413 Words   |  6 Pageswith it a public health issue concerning the use and abuse of illegal drugs. Responding to the crisis, the US department of Justice established the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous drugs, which was designed to control illegal drugs, specifically marijuana. Building on the prohibition, in 1971 President Richard Nixon officially declared a â€Å"war on drugs†, which resulted in an increased federal role in the warfare by providing the federal government with power to institute new mandatory sentencing lawsRead MoreMedical Benefits Of Medical Marijuana1255 Words   |  6 PagesMedical marijuana has been proven to an effective drug in the treatment of a number of encumbering medical conditions. A large number of legitimate medical organizations recognize the benefits of marijuana. It is far less harmful and poses fewer negative side effects than many prescription drugs, including painkillers - and patients often find it to be a more effective treatment for a variety of illnesses. However, it is perhaps the most commonly misunderstood substance in America. The usage of theRead MoreThe Association Between Drug Use And Crime Cycle1487 Words   |  6 Pagessome of our states have made marijuana legal, the crime cycle in those states is becoming a topic of interest all across America. For what once was a crime, the act of making it legal cuts the amount of crime automatically. This study analyzes the effect of making drugs legal has on the crime cycle. It questions how legalizing marijuana has affected crime rates, either positively or negative ly. The goal is to increase the amount of knowledge regarding the legalization and how it relates to crimeRead MoreLegalization Of Medical Marijuana And Marijuana1486 Words   |  6 Pages Legalization of Medical Marijuana Name: Institution: Abstract In 1996, California set a pace that would lead to today’s debate on medical marijuana and marijuana as a whole by passing the Compassionate Use Act that allowed the use of medical marijuana. Other states have since followed the trend and school of thought, case in point; Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont andRead MoreMedical Marijuana Should Be Legal1545 Words   |  7 Pagesmedicinal utility of marijuana. However, the federal government opposes passing legislation that would legalize medical marijuana because of its potential to be abused or unregulated. The states are continuously challenging the federal government causing complications in legislation in regards to medical marijuana. Because of its history of medicinal properties and accumulating amounts of state and local legislation, the federal government should decriminalize medical marijuana and legalize its useRe ad Moreliterature review- should marijuana be legalised?1457 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿Literature review The legalisation of marijuana has long been a debated subject, and not only in Australia But all around the world. People’s views in this area vary greatly, with many reasonable arguments for and against the issue. In this report, past studies and literature will be reviewed providing an understanding into the possible consequences of legalising marijuana as well as the views and debates regarded to the issue. The organisation, Gallup has been examining America’s attitudeRead MoreAnalysis Of Cannabis While PregnantRisks Babys Health1219 Words   |  5 Pages21-27. This secondary article written by Fergusson and Northstone investigate the question frequently brought up about the increased use of cannabis in developed countries. This increase in use has questioned researchers about the extent to which marijuana use is harmful and if so, what is that limit. Another aspect of concern is the effects of cannabis on an unborn fetus and can that lead to miscarriage. The authors point out the difficulties in finding evidence that indicates a low birth weight inRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized? Essay1281 Words   |  6 PagesWhat is marijuana? It is a, â€Å"dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa,† (â€Å"Marijuana†, 2016). Nothing that is good or your body and in Colorado alone, marijuana related hospital visits increased by a 154 percent from 2006 to 2014 (â€Å"Unpacking pot†, 2016). The fact is that drugs, not just marijuana, are a big part of not just Americans lives, but everyone a round the world. There are a couple major issues with drugs in our society; drug trafficking, drug use in schoolsRead MoreThe Government And The American Citizens Stipulations Dealing With The Drug2946 Words   |  12 Pagesgovernment and the American citizens’ stipulations dealing with the drug, marijuana. Additional research was also conducted in order to discover the positive and negative results associated with marijuana being legalized if it were to occur nation-wide. The underlying reason for this topic is due to the recent debates within the federal government, concerning the issue of legalization for the drug. Also, because of the popularity of marijuana with not only the urban community, but with my close affiliates