Humans have utilized cannabis since 2700 B.C. Over the last few decades, marijuana has been used for textiles, medicine, and recreational use. Society tends to correlate marijuana with lazy, unproductive, and food munching individuals suffering from a drug addiction, but the public opinion has changed in recent years. This shift in opinion is due to the fact that scientific research has disproven many of the myths created by reefer madness in the 1960s. The legal use of marijuana recreationally and medically has been a subject of controversy since its prohibition in the US. Although some states have legalized the recreational usage, marijuana is still illegal on a federal level. The marijuana prohibitionist argue that legalization can lead
…show more content…
In Ruth Graham’s article, ‘IS MARIJUANA GOOD FOR PUBLIC HEALTH?’, she suggest that even though the rate of smokers will increase due to marijuana legalization, cannabis can be a potential substitute for alcohol (Graham). Her prediction signifies that the increase of marijuana usage isn’t necessarily a bad thing because it is known to have significantly less side effects than alcohol. The decrease of alcohol consumption could lead to less violent crimes and car accidents induced by alcohol. Even with the countless benefits attributed by the legalization of marijuana, there is bound to be some consequences to be considered. In contrast, Alain Joffe, an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, argues that “Legalization of marijuana could decrease adolescents’ perceptions of the risk of use and increase their exposure to this drug.” (Joffe). Joffe asserts his concerns by claiming that the legalization of pot would cause children to think of smoking marijuana to be socially acceptable, thus increasing their chances of potentially experimenting with the drug. He seems to be approaching to this particular issue from a parietal point of view. He formulates his prediction from his personal experiences and knowledge, but fails to consider what kids really feel about the issue. Nevertheless, Emma Green, writer of the article ‘If Marijuana Is …show more content…
The benefits of legalization could potentially include profit from the sales of legal cannabis, decrease in crime due to the declined of marijuana on the streets, and a safer alternative to alcohol for the matured public and arguably the kids. The prohibition of marijuana shouldn’t even be a topic at this point. There is enough scientific evidence in this day and age to support that marijuana has little to no effects on the human body, yet there are countless of people being thrown in jail for marijuana. Considering that there has been no documentation of a death cause by marijuana in all of history, it is ridiculous how society looks down on pot smokers, but thinks it’s alright to drink alcohol and smoke tobacco. This issue should be resolved immediately in order to focus on bigger issues occurring in the US. The perspectives of society has drastically changed for the better towards the legalization of marijuana in the recent years. At this rate, marijuana should nationally legalized in the next 15 years as people from the newer generations take their place in
In Ruth Graham’s article, ‘IS MARIJUANA GOOD FOR PUBLIC HEALTH?’, she suggest that even though the rate of smokers will increase due to marijuana legalization, cannabis can be a potential substitute for alcohol (Graham). Her prediction signifies that the increase of marijuana usage isn’t necessarily a bad thing because it is known to have significantly less side effects than alcohol. The decrease of alcohol consumption could lead to less violent crimes and car accidents induced by alcohol. Even with the countless benefits attributed by the legalization of marijuana, there is bound to be some consequences to be considered. In contrast, Alain Joffe, an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, argues that “Legalization of marijuana could decrease adolescents’ perceptions of the risk of use and increase their exposure to this drug.” (Joffe). Joffe asserts his concerns by claiming that the legalization of pot would cause children to think of smoking marijuana to be socially acceptable, thus increasing their chances of potentially experimenting with the drug. He seems to be approaching to this particular issue from a parietal point of view. He formulates his prediction from his personal experiences and knowledge, but fails to consider what kids really feel about the issue. Nevertheless, Emma Green, writer of the article ‘If Marijuana Is …show more content…
The benefits of legalization could potentially include profit from the sales of legal cannabis, decrease in crime due to the declined of marijuana on the streets, and a safer alternative to alcohol for the matured public and arguably the kids. The prohibition of marijuana shouldn’t even be a topic at this point. There is enough scientific evidence in this day and age to support that marijuana has little to no effects on the human body, yet there are countless of people being thrown in jail for marijuana. Considering that there has been no documentation of a death cause by marijuana in all of history, it is ridiculous how society looks down on pot smokers, but thinks it’s alright to drink alcohol and smoke tobacco. This issue should be resolved immediately in order to focus on bigger issues occurring in the US. The perspectives of society has drastically changed for the better towards the legalization of marijuana in the recent years. At this rate, marijuana should nationally legalized in the next 15 years as people from the newer generations take their place in