Marijuana Policy

Marijuana Policy



Marijuana Policy

Substance abuse is becoming more standardized and just extremely costly. The frequency of use has gone from being limited to the weekends several times a week. The common belief still is that drugs are not good for health; still many people believe that marijuana is not really a drug (Miron, 2003). Parents are buying alcohol for their children with the hope that somehow that control what young people consume (Miron, 2003). Since many years drug and substance abuse are the critical problems that government of America is facing Office of (National Drug Control Policy, 2002). America has been formulating different strategies and adapting contemporary practices to cope with the problem of substance abuse.

Recently The Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs has formulated a policy of providing military and economic assistance to Colombia to help fight narcotic factions (the “Policy”), such as the “spill over” effect; the ideology of the “War on Drugs;” and the rise of smaller, smarter and more flexible drug cartels inside and outside Colombia's borders (Marez, 2004, 89-111). These scenarios are difficult to cope with as compared to the previous situations because the new gangs are operating in a sophisticated process. Hence, it is more difficult prohibit the trade of drugs and illegal substances. However, an analysis has proved that is strategy can back fire with critical consequences.

The negative consequence of the anti-marijuana strategy is the “spill over” effect. This policy will boost up the military operations alongside drug trade which could have dangerous implications. However, there were restrictions for cultivating of coca in Colombia, which did not lead to a decrease in the production of it. In addition, the augmented force of United States along with the government of Colombia has forced coca farmers to stop cultivating coca in order to cease the supply of marijuana (Mabry, 1989, 112-126). As a result the balloon effect causes cultivation to “spill over” into neighboring countries such as Peru and Bolivia. In addition aerial eradication program may increase of the price of coca due to the sustained market supply, which is tempting farmers to grow coca because due to the scarcity of the material the prices are, increased (Miron, 2003).

The subsequent consequence of the policy is the concept known as war on drugs. This is the strategy adapted by different countries to counter the issues of drug and substance abuse by ...