MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION: CONSIDERING THE PROS AND CONS

Marijuana Legalization: Considering the Pros and Cons

Karen Odalys Torres Constante
Yachay Tech
Tyson De Moura Umberger
May 18, 2016

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION: CONSIDERING THE PROS AND CONS

Marijuana Legalization: Considering the Pros and Cons

Throughout my university life, I was interested in controversial topics like marijuana.
My friends told me about how this plant can be used in many fields, such as medicine. After
investigates about marijuana, I realized that this plant has been consumed for many years. A
lot of generations have consumed this product for years regardless the legal prohibition.
Finally, I decided to investigate more about this restriction, and the feasibility of this. Entities
like Drug Policy Alliance defended the legalization of this product considering the costs that
the restriction represent to a state and society. In contrast, important media like New York
Times have published articles about the repercussions that marijuana have in the teenagers. I
agree with the legalization of marijuana. I consider that it is the best option to regularize
consumption.
Facts after decriminalization
The Drug Police Alliance publicize an article called Marijuana: The Facts in 2016. It
talks about that marijuana has been consumed for at least 5,000 years and has a long history
of traditional uses throughout Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas (Drug Police Alliance,
2016).
This information helps me to understand that people use marijuana for different
reasons. Essentially, this drug is used for recreation. The article supports my hypothesis that
marijuana, as an illegal fact, is a problem for the society considering that the people will still
using this drug regardless the legal implications.

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION: CONSIDERING THE PROS AND CONS

After decriminalization
Then, I found an article named Why is Marijuana Decriminalization Not Enough?
Published in February, 2016 for the Drug Police Alliance. According of the Drug Police
Alliance (2016) Decriminalization of marijuana possession is a necessary first step toward
more comprehensive reforms of the drug prohibition regime (p.1). The decriminalization of
the marijuana would mark a change in the way that the organisms control this product because
this drug could have a legal regulation.
This article explains how the people are arrested for possession. The 87% of people
have been arrested for simple possession of marijuana. States spent an estimated $3.61 billion
enforcing marijuana possession laws in 2010 alone. New York and California combined spent
over $1 billion (Drug Police Alliance, 2016).
The costs and the consequences of the prohibition are elevated. So, I still considering
that the legalization is the better way to regularize the consumption of marijuana in a society
that going to continue using this product. The marijuana is present in the daily life of young
people, and the percentages shows me how many people have been arrested for carry a small
quantity of marijuana.
Against marijuana
The New York Times published an article written by Lisa Damour called Talking
with Teenagers about Marihuana in 11 May, 2016.

According to Damaur, L (2016)

Specifically, studies suggest that regular marijuana use during adolescence harms the parts of
the brain responsible for learning, reasoning and paying attention (p.1). Marijuana can
affects more the brain of the teenagers.

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION: CONSIDERING THE PROS AND CONS

I consider that the people that use more this product are them. This is an important
reason where by the drugs must be controlled, but I still considering that drugs only can be
controlled through a legal regulation such as the alcohol and tobacco regulation. A legal
solution to solve the problem of the smuggling and drug trafficking.
The legalization of marijuana is a problem that society have to discuss. This plant has
good applications, and society has accepted it for years. Many people have used marijuana in
their young lives.

The decriminalization of this products looks like the best option to

regularize the commercialization and the possession of marijuana.

References

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION: CONSIDERING THE PROS AND CONS

Damour, L. (2016). Talking With Teenagers about Marijuana. New York Times Blog.
Retrieved from http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/05/11/talking-with-teenagers-aboutmarijuana/?_r=0
Drug Police Alliance. (2013, February). Retrieved from
https://es.scribd.com/doc/298870002/DPA-Fact-sheet-Marijuana-Decriminalization-andLegalization-Feb-2016-pdf#fullscreen
Drug Police Alliance. (2013). Retrieved from
http://www.drugpolicy.org/sites/default/files/TenFactsAboutMarijuana.pdf