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Legalization of Marijuana

Introduction

Throughout the history, men have come across issues that have raised controversial debates on the moral and ethical parameters of the society. Legalization of marijuana is one of the controversial issues that have forced people to measure both sides of the argument. If the proponents of legalization have logical answers for their position then the opponents are also not far behind them because they have scientific, ethical and religious logics for marijuana to be considered as illegal. The paper will explain the reasons why marijuana should be made illegal. It will also discuss the extent which legalization of marijuana can affect the societal good as whole. The paper will also look into the opposing point of view and will establish a rebuttal against that position.

Discussion

Argument against the legalization

Since the prehistoric times, marijuana is considered to be a legal drug. It has been in use since 7,000 B.C and it is important to note that it was seen as an illegal drug only for 1% of the time since its first use. The Hemp plant that is used to extract marijuana was not known to the people of United States until the 1900s but then it was introduced as a recreational drug to the general public, which increased its usage in the region. An analysis of the history shows that the plant was introduced in the region in 1600s but the public was not aware of its usages (Guither, 2012). During the 1930s, it came out to be the drug that gave courage to the black men to stand against the whites. It was associated with racism and most people were of the belief that it was the usage of marijuana that gave the black men the courage to look into the eyes of the white men and stare at their women.

After its association with racism, the drug was associated with criminals. It was said that the assassins are given a high dose of marijuana so that they can perform their kill without any regrets. In 1930s, Anslinger, the then director of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics would make an attempt to illegalize the drug. He drew the nation's attention to the fact that marijuana was making everyone suffer because it instigated racism and violence. He helped the legislatures in bringing up the Marijuana Tax Act in 1937. Apart from the associations of marijuana that were established by ...