Legalization of marijuana

1. Legalization of marijuana

2. Introduction • Marijuana is a controversial and prominent issue in the society today. • The use and possession of marijuana have been criminalized in many nations though some countries that have legalized it. • These countries impose penalties on the possession and the use of the pot. • The information in the American public about marijuana has been relatively inaccurate because of years of misinformation and propaganda that private interests have often tabled for personal gains. • .

3. Background of marijuana • Cannabis is a scientific name used in referring to the hemp plant. • Its consumption is in several forms such as in the form of dried buds or flowers (marijuana), pressed resin from leaves and flowers (hash or hashish), loose resin (kief), and hash oil which is focus‬ of removed resin using a solvent. • The users either smoke or consume the drug in food products. • Individuals react differently when they consumed the drugs

4. Paradox of the Topic • First is the system of classification of drugs especially from the Controlled article Act of 1970. • Secondly, is the techniques used for approval of drugs by FDA. • It is based on harmfulness without recognizing the medical value of the drugs. • Thirdly, is the issue of legalization and the use of the drug. There are agreements that different nations have made toward war on drugs.

5. Cont….. • The agreements or the systems have been crumbling. • the shatter of approval on drugs presents a challenge for the policymakers, as well as, a leadership vacuum that is likely to be exploited by the drug cartels. • The division on policy and the conditions that have worsened between different states in the country makes it difficult to safeguard the global health of the public including the effects of trans-border spillover. • Nations that seek to decriminalize marijuana and trade it with other nations will meet deal that ban the use of the drug. As a result, it may hamper a system that governments use to collectively combat networks perceived to be for criminals and cartels.

6. Opposing and affirmative positions concerning legalization of marijuana • The public opinion concerning the marijuana has changed significantly with those calling for its legalization continuing to grow. • These changes are across all the demographic groups, as well as, the political parties. • The supporters of legalization have claimed the drug is not as dangerous as tobacco and alcohol, they also claim that the drug can be used for medical purposes. • Those in opposition, on the other hand, highlight the health and family effects as some of the consequences of using the drug. • They also claim that the average of addiction and criminal activities are likely to increase among the population when the substance is decriminalized

7. Stakeholders of the marijuana • Stakeholders are: 1- Citizens 2- Medical communities 3- Law Enforcement

8. Conclusion • The debates and argument of decriminalization is unlikely to fade within the median anytime soon. • The law enforcement bodies find it difficult to enforce laws of these drugs because of contradiction of the laws. For an instant, the US federal laws and State laws differ on the use of marijuana. • However, the federal laws which criminalizes the drug often override those of the states.

9. References: • Basu, T (2015). Marijuana use in America has doubled in the past decade, study says. Retrieved on 28th April 2016 from http://time.com/4082683/us-marijuana-use-increase/ • Boffey, P, M (2015). What Science Says About Marijuana. Retrieved on 28th April 2016 from http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/31/opinion/what-science-says-about-marijuana.html?_r=0 • Christensen J, & Wilson, J (2014). Is marijuana as safe as – or safer than – alcohol? Retrieved on 28th April 2016 from http://edition.cnn.com/2014/01/20/health/marijuana-versus-alcohol/ • Caulkins, J. P., Hawken, A., Kilmer, B., & Kleiman, M. (2012). Marijuana legalization: What everyone needs to know. • Rosenthal, E., Kubby, S., & Newhart, S. (2003). Why marijuana should be legal. Philadelphia: Running Press. • Lowinson, J. H. (2005). Substance abuse: A comprehensive textbook. Philadelphia, Penns: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

10. Cont… • Fox, S., Armentano, P., & Tvert, M. (2013). Marijuana is Safer: So why are we driving people to drink? White River Junction, Vermont: Chelsea Green Publishing • Caulkins, J. P, et al., (2015). Considering marijuana legalization: Insights for Vermont and other jurisdictions. Santa Monica: Rand Corporation • Jaffe, C. (2007). Public Speaking: Concepts and skills for a diverse society. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth • Piondexter, O (2014). Six powerful reasons to legalize marijuana: from the New York Times. Retrieved on 28th April 2016 from http://www.alternet.org/drugs/6-powerful-reasons-new-york-times-says-end-marijuana-prohibition • Humphrey, K (2016). The paradox at the heart of our marijuana laws- and how to fix it. Retrieved on 28th April 2016 from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/in-theory/wp/2016/04/26/the-paradox-at-the-heart-of-our-marijuana-laws-and-how-to-fix-it/