Lieny Garcia
Prof. Allan
ENC 1102 – TH 5:40PM
October 15, 2017
Should Marijuana Be Legalized? Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is the most commonly used illegal drug in the world with more than 246 million people who use it each year, according to the United Nations (UN) (Steffens). Legalization of marijuana has been one of the most debated topics in social media in the recent decades. It seems like a discord within the states; some have already approved marijuana use for recreational purposes while others keep waiting for a reform on this unjustified law that keeps marijuana use a crime. Both arguments, in favor and against the legalization of marijuana have been put out there for consideration while the United States Government keeps …show more content…
The New York Times, an American daily newspaper has pointed out that “about 30 million Americans use marijuana every year.” However, most people who smoke marijuana smoke it only occasionally. Only a small minority of Americans, less than 1 percent, smoke marijuana on a daily basis. Therefore, only less than 1 percent of the population which constitutes the small group who smoke it on a daily basis could be at risk of developing an addiction to it. The Institute of Medicine, the health arm of the National Academy of Sciences, said in a 1999 study that 32 percent of tobacco users become dependent, as do 23 percent of heroin users, 17 percent of cocaine users, and 15 percent of alcohol drinkers. Although, only 9 percent of marijuana users develop dependence (Substance Abuse). Other side of the social argument against the legalization of marijuana is the image that the social media and the society in general have created over the years of the typical marijuana smoker. Most people still have the belief that a typical person who smokes marijuana regularly is an irresponsible addict with a careless physical appearance who could not be able to perform any job or have any level of education (Sullum). Well, all of this is not more than misconceptions. Most people, who smoke marijuana, do it as a way to …show more content…
"What Science Says about Marijuana." New York Times, 31 Jul, 2014, pp. A.22, SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks-sirs-com.db16.linccweb.org. Accessed October 16, 2017. Web.
Miron, Jeffrey A. “The Budgetary Implications of Drug Prohibition.” February,2010. https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/miron/files/budget_2010_final_0.pdf. Accessed October 16, 2017. Web.
Steffens, Bradley. Issues in Society: Is Marijuana Harmful? Issues in Society: Is Marijuana Harmful?, 2017, SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks-sirs-com.db16.linccweb.org. Accessed October 14, 2017. Web.
Substance Abuse Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables. SAMHSA. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015.pdf. September 8, 2016. Accessed October 18, 2017. Web.
Sullum, Jacob. "Reefer Madness at the New York Times." Reason, 2017, pp. 42+, SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks-sirs-com.db16.linccweb.org. Accessed October 18, 2017. Web.
Tracy, Sam. "Legal Marijuana Will Help State's Economy." Hartford Courant, 12 Feb, 2017, pp. C.3, SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks-sirs-com.db16.linccweb.org. Accessed October 18, 2017.
Prof. Allan
ENC 1102 – TH 5:40PM
October 15, 2017
Should Marijuana Be Legalized? Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is the most commonly used illegal drug in the world with more than 246 million people who use it each year, according to the United Nations (UN) (Steffens). Legalization of marijuana has been one of the most debated topics in social media in the recent decades. It seems like a discord within the states; some have already approved marijuana use for recreational purposes while others keep waiting for a reform on this unjustified law that keeps marijuana use a crime. Both arguments, in favor and against the legalization of marijuana have been put out there for consideration while the United States Government keeps …show more content…
The New York Times, an American daily newspaper has pointed out that “about 30 million Americans use marijuana every year.” However, most people who smoke marijuana smoke it only occasionally. Only a small minority of Americans, less than 1 percent, smoke marijuana on a daily basis. Therefore, only less than 1 percent of the population which constitutes the small group who smoke it on a daily basis could be at risk of developing an addiction to it. The Institute of Medicine, the health arm of the National Academy of Sciences, said in a 1999 study that 32 percent of tobacco users become dependent, as do 23 percent of heroin users, 17 percent of cocaine users, and 15 percent of alcohol drinkers. Although, only 9 percent of marijuana users develop dependence (Substance Abuse). Other side of the social argument against the legalization of marijuana is the image that the social media and the society in general have created over the years of the typical marijuana smoker. Most people still have the belief that a typical person who smokes marijuana regularly is an irresponsible addict with a careless physical appearance who could not be able to perform any job or have any level of education (Sullum). Well, all of this is not more than misconceptions. Most people, who smoke marijuana, do it as a way to …show more content…
"What Science Says about Marijuana." New York Times, 31 Jul, 2014, pp. A.22, SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks-sirs-com.db16.linccweb.org. Accessed October 16, 2017. Web.
Miron, Jeffrey A. “The Budgetary Implications of Drug Prohibition.” February,2010. https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/miron/files/budget_2010_final_0.pdf. Accessed October 16, 2017. Web.
Steffens, Bradley. Issues in Society: Is Marijuana Harmful? Issues in Society: Is Marijuana Harmful?, 2017, SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks-sirs-com.db16.linccweb.org. Accessed October 14, 2017. Web.
Substance Abuse Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables. SAMHSA. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015.pdf. September 8, 2016. Accessed October 18, 2017. Web.
Sullum, Jacob. "Reefer Madness at the New York Times." Reason, 2017, pp. 42+, SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks-sirs-com.db16.linccweb.org. Accessed October 18, 2017. Web.
Tracy, Sam. "Legal Marijuana Will Help State's Economy." Hartford Courant, 12 Feb, 2017, pp. C.3, SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks-sirs-com.db16.linccweb.org. Accessed October 18, 2017.