How To Decriminalize Marijuana

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Paper 1
Melissa Ortiz
CRJ 408
Xanax Martinez The United States Government has had their focus on Marijuana, believing it may be a gateway drug to other illicit drugs, licit drugs, and alcohol. Many opponents are concerned now that marijuana is legal for recreational use in 4 states, and medical marijuana is legal in 23 states. In 14 states as of 2015 have changed policies to decriminalize marijuana, giving lesser charges to those that are in possession. Many fear that more crime may be committed due to legal recreational use as well as many concerns about the effect it may have on public health and economics. Marijuana like most other mind altering substances also may cause aggressive behavior, and may alter the brain and nervous system …show more content…
Psychopharmacological theory suggests that drugs and violence have a relationship with each other. When an abuser uses drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamines, chemicals in the brain are altered that causes excitability, aggression, hostility and irrationality and it may cause violent behavior in the abuser (Belenko & Spohn, 2015). According to Markowitz (2005), alcohol also may cause an alteration in an abuser’s behavior, causing biological violence it may occur due to changes in brain functions (Markowitz, 2005). The theory goes on to suggest that victims that consume drug or alcohol may lead to the victims becoming off guard and more prone to …show more content…
Statistics have shown that since the 1980s there has been a connection amongst illegal drug use, criminal behavior, the changes in law enforcement practices and sentencing laws (Spohn, Kim, Belenko, & Brennan, 2014). Spohn, Kim, Belenko, & Brennan (2014) suggest that rehabilitation services should come into play when a judge decides on the processing and sentencing decisions. Medical studies have shown that drugs alter our brain chemistry when taken long-term, and it alters the dopamine reward system (Spohn, Kim, Belenko, & Brennan, 2014). Unfortunately, these effect may last for months after stopping consumption of substances, and could cause tolerance and withdrawal symptoms in the abuser. Judges who accept medical studies of drug addiction being a disease may sentence the drug offender to drug treatment programs, and various programs to help the abuser with their addiction (Spohn, Kim, Belenko, & Brennan,

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