Decriminalization of Marijuana

Darnell Taylor M. Channing English 1B March 5, 2013 decriminalisation of marihuana As I researched the internet for entropy about the decriminalisation of marihuana, I found so much information concerning this project that it was hard putting together round thoughts. Through my research of the different screeningics I came to the conclusion that the whizs I am writing about seem to be the most important concerning the decriminalisation of marihuana. Should a psyche go to jail for smoking marihuana? A pickle of flock would say no, a person should non go to jail for smoking it. marijuana is non a narcotic, such as heroin, or a stimulant similar caffeine or tobacco, or a depressant, like alcohol. It would be easy to say hemp is less of a threat to a persons health than alcohol or tobacco. Marijuana became penal on August 2, 1937 with the passage of the Marijuana measure Act. Discrimination and racism played a plentiful part in this beca hire it was said that Blacks and other minorities were the majority of marijuana single-valued functionrs. Politicians and lack of understanding of the dose is why marijuana is withal misappropriated today.The scientific name for marijuana is hangmans rope. There are two main strains of marijuana and they are c solelyed Indica and Sativa. halter is known in the streets, by many other names such as dank, bud, buddha, maryjane, weed, or reefer, and has been used aesculapianly since the beginning of civilization. The oldest known certify of cannabis use comes from a tomb in the African unsophisticated of Egypt, where cannabis was found in big bundles beside the tomb. In Canada, a high-ranking public official said the current marijuana prohibition was non working for the benefit of that country .The number of known marijuana users has swelled from 55,000 to 350 million, a fact showing that prohibition of marijuana is not working. The big push for the join conveys to legitimatize marijuana started i n the 1970s, when almost half the fixs either approved it for medical use, decriminalized it, or completely legalized it. The people for decriminalization argue that legalizing cannabis would free up commoveions of dollars that we now use to move users, pay for a humongous portion of virtue enforcement resources, and pay for large amounts of prison resources.It would flash back the income of street gangs and organized crime that grow, import, process, and sell illegal marijuana. With decriminalization and regulation it would provide large amounts of tax revenue and reduce enforcement costs, with short(p) or no perfume on how much is used. decriminalization would dismay the number of non-violent offenders in the prisons. The number of marijuana be in self-possession ofion cases would withal decline in allowing less pressure on the Criminal Justice system. Decriminalization and legalization of marijuana are favored just because it is believed that a persons respectables should be respected.How a person lives his keep, as long as hes not hurting others, should be allowed. white plaguers wouldnt capture to be scared of getting caught a persons life would not be ruined for having a dwarfish amount of marijuana. A person wouldnt lose his job because he had a little marijuana. College careers wouldnt be ruined because of marijuana possession. The opposition likewise argues that cannabis on the streets today has a higher percentage of THC (the ancient intoxicant), than in cannabis of an earlier time and that decriminalization go out scarper to more usage, more crime, and more abuse of dangerous illicit drugs.The heavy Hi layer of Marijuana in the United States Decriminalization (1970-2000s) Check all the places that down decriminalized non-medical marijuana in the United States. Most of the states are in favor of decriminalization. They call for started programs such as Drug Education or Drug Treatment in place of jail time or criminal charge s for possession of small amounts of marijuana. This offense is now the lowest anteriority for law enforcement. In 1972, President Richard Nixon set up a military commission to study marijuana use.The Commission found out that the fairness of cannabis prohibition was unclear, and that the Executive and Legislative branches had a responsibility to obey the Constitution. nevertheless in the absence of a court ruling to do so, they did not put the studys recommendations in action. In 1973, Oregon became the jump state to decriminalize marijuana. In 1974, a Senate Internal Security Subcommittee, chaired by Senator James O. Eastland on the Marijuana-Hashish Epidemic and its impact on United States security system said that evidence collected on marijuana had turned against this drug.By 1978 Alaska, calcium, Colorado, Mississippi, newborn York, Nebraska, North Carolina, and Ohio had some form of marijuana decriminalization. Certain cities and countries, especially in California, ha d adopted laws to further push decriminalized cannabis. When speaking against decriminalization, a 1974 study by the United States government and endorsed by then-President Ronald Reagan is being used. The results claim that in a test using monkeys, loss of brain cells was discovered. Unknown to the public was that this story was totally unfair.The monkeys were amaze to wear gas masks and marijuana was then handle into their lungs non-stop for 5 minutes at a time with no new(a) oxygen. It was a miracle the monkeys didnt die and suffered only brain damage in this act of animal cruelty. Another study published in The daybook of Clinical Investigation shows that cannabis use actually stimulates cell development. It is not possible to overdose on marijuana, unlike most prescription and illegal drugs. Marijuana has yet to be proven addictive or deadly.No deaths have been linked to marijuana use. It has no known lethal dose. Health issues and family responsibilities, not legal issues, are reasons given for stopping or never starting the use of marijuana. Even the thought of it being a gateway drug is controversial. Research shows the real gateway is the illegal drug market. The gateway effect for marijuana could be because exposure to other illegal drugs when buying marijuana on the streets amplifications the opportunity to use other illegal drugs.Several states have taken steps about the marijuana issue by decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of the drug, reducing sanctions for amounts suitable for personal use. For marijuana that means one apothecaries ounce or less. In recent history, there have been a lot of unsuccessful attempts to decriminalize cannabis. In 1974, Dr. Robert DuPont, the White House Drug Czar, began to publically support the decriminalization of marijuana. When DuPont left government he changed his mind, seeing marijuana as a health problem and declaring decriminalization is a defective idea.Robert DuPont is still an active o pponent of the decriminalization of marijuana. A law to legalize marijuana state-wide was put on the California Ballot in 1972. Proposition 19 was rejected by 66 percent of the votes. The opening reads as follows 1. No person in the State of California, 18 course of studys or older shall be punished, or be denied any right or privilege, by reason of such persons planting, cultivating, harvesting, drying, process, differently transporting, or possessing marijuana. 2.This provision shall in no way be construed to subvert brisk legislation, or limit the enactment of future legislation, prohibiting persons under the mildew of marijuana from engaging in conduct that endangers others. In Gonzales vs. Raich the courts ruled in a 6-3 decision that the Commerce Clause and the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution allowed the Federal government to ban the use of cannabis (including medical use) because Federal law is supreme and overrules State law.Further legalization of cannabis came in 2012 as two of three things to vote on were put on the ecumenical ballot of November 6th and were successful by wide margins. uppercases Initiative 502 (2011) and Colorados Amendment 64 (2012) passed in the general election, as Oregons Ballot metre 80 (2012) failed. twain of the successful measures restricted cannabis possession to adults aged 21 or over, restricted the total amount allowed and included a DUID (Driving under the persuade of Drugs) provision against driving under the influence of marijuana.Both particularisedally regulated cannabis much like hard liquor has been since the end of prohibition in the United States and avoided any changes to medical marijuana law. Initiative 502 defined marijuana base on its THC content and controlled all growth processing and sales of marijuana based on its THC content and controlled all growth, processing and sale of marijuana under the Washington State booze Control Board, with restrictions against public cons umption. The Colorado Measure allowed private grows in accessory to commercial regulation.The failed Oregon law established a new State agency to regulate and tax cannabis but was less specific and allowed possession for all adults, aged 18 or older. punishable marijuana cost taxpayers $7. 5 zillion a year (enforcement, prosecution, incarceration and monitoring). It in any case makes growing hemp, which can be used to make cloth, paper and rope, against the law. When trade from places like Canada, Russia, and China hemp products are legal. In 1645 hemp was a cash crop in America and Europeans were growing it before that. nigh one million people a year are in trouble with the law, about marijuana. 15 billion a year goes to the state of war on Marijuana, which doesnt look too successful. Decriminalization will reduce these numbers. There is little proof that decriminalization of marijuana use leads to an increase in marijuana use. Almost one million people a year are in trouble with the law, about marijuana. $15 billion a year goes to the War on Marijuana, which doesnt look too successful. Decriminalization would reduce these numbers. In January, 2011, freshman year Arizona Republican Legislator John Fillmore introduced House Bill 2228.This bill would decriminalize marijuana possession of 2 ounces or less to a minuscule offense with a penalty no more than a $ carbon fine, similar to the laws in Colorado and California. On January 1, 1975, Senate Bill 95 made possession of under one ounce of marijuana for non-medical use punishable by a $100 fine tougher punishments exists for amounts of more than an ounce, possession on school grounds, or violation of marijuana laws for sales or cultivation. If the offender is under the age of 21, his or her Drivers License whitethorn be suspended for up to one year.In Mendocino County, voters in 2000 approved Measure G, which called for the decriminalization of marijuana when used, or cultivated for personal use. Measu re G passed with a 58 percent majority vote, making it the first county in the United States to declare prosecution of small-scale cannabis offenses The lowest anteriority for law enforcement. Measure G does not protect individuals who cultivate, transport, or possess marijuana for sale. Measure G was passed at the local anesthetic government take making it law only in Mendocino County and does not affect existing state or federal laws.On September 30, 2010 California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sign-language(a) into law, S. B. 1449. A bill that decriminalizes the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana. The bill reduces simple possession from a misdemeanor to an infraction. This would eliminate the need to get along in court and would treat possession of less than 28. 5 grams like a traffic ticket, punishable by a $100 fine. in like manner in 2010, Proposition 19, titled the Regulate, Control, and Tax Act 2010, qualified for the November California Ballot. It was rejecte d by 54 percent of the voters.The Initiative would have legalized the inexpert use of marijuana and its activities in the state of California. It would have let local governments to regulate and tax the cannabis market. In Colorado marijuana has helped the state economically with millions of dollars in revenue generated with the legalization of marijuana for adult use, regularisation and taxing it the same way alcohol is regulated. Before November 6, 2012 the cities of Breckenridge and Denver, Colorado had passed Measures to make possession of up to one ounce of marijuana legal, even though possession was still a crime under tate and federal laws. Amendment 64 to the Colorado Constitution, which passed November 6, 2012, legalized recreational marijuana use under State law. In 2006 Amendment 44 was rejected by 59 percent of the voting population. Amendment 44 would have legalized possession of 28. 45 grams (approximately one ounce) or less by adults 21 or older. California is estim ated to have saved a billion dollars in a twelve year period between 1976 and1988 as a result of decriminalizing marijuana. In 2003 the United States spent $12. billion on law enforcement and court costs and $16. 9 billion in penitentiary costs, with Alaska spending as much as $25 to $30million per year enforcing marijuana prohibition laws. There is little proof that decriminalization of marijuana use leads to an increase in marijuana use. The cost of arresting and prosecuting marijuana offenders were lower instates where possession of marijuana in small amounts had been decriminalized. In places where marijuana possession is still a criminal offense and not decriminalized, there has been an increase in marijuana use.In countries where marijuana has been decriminalized there are lower rate of drug use when compared to countries where marijuana possession in small amounts is still a criminal offense punished by jail time. In 2006, marijuana was the top cash crop in 12 states, one of the top 3 cash crops in 30 states and one of the top 5 cash crops in 39 states. United States marijuana yield is estimated at $35 billion annually. nearly Health Benefits of Marijuana Use Should marijuana still be illegal in the United States based on its health effects, medicinal value and costs to the country?Some people suffering from afflictions have to break the law to relieve inveterate pain. 1. For asthma and the common cough Marijuana is one of the best dilators of the bronchioles (The first passageways by which the air passes through the nose to the air sacs of the lungs). 2. For AIDS withering Syndrome and Eating Disorders Where munchies from smoking marijuana increases the users appetite. 3. For Crohns Disease, Cancer, and Migraines Marijuanas pain relieving qualities help. 4. For ADD and ADHD Besides being an resource to Ritalin, marijuana helps without any of the Ritalin side effects. . Pre Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) Reduces pain in severe cases of PMS. 6. Tourett es and OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) Marijuana slows down the tics in people that have Tourettes and the symptoms of the people with OCD. 7. For Anxiety-Marijuana calms 8. Hepatitis C-Marijuana helps improve drug therapy treatment 9. Marijuana also helps with Schizophrenia, Epilepsy, Depression, and Multiple Sclerosis. I tried to give as much information as I could to let you know whats going on. I hope I did that. Works Cited Decriminalization of Marijuana, Lawrence, B. K. Studymode. com, 6 whitethorn 2005, http//www. Studymode. com/Essays/Decriminalization-marijuana-56452. html Decriminalization of Marijuana, 123HelpMe. com, 10 Mar 2013 Decriminalization of Marijuana, Termpaper. com, 12 Apr 2012 http//Termpaper. com/Essay-on/Decriminalization-Of-Marijuana/79942 Decriminalization vs. Prohibition, 123HelpMe. com, 10 Mar 2013 http//www. 123HelpMe. com/view. asp? id=61687 Illegal Drugs Legalization of Marijuana, Marijuana. com, 19 Apr 2010 Smoke In The Air, 123HelpMe. com, 10 M ar 2013 http//www. 123HelpMe. com/view. asp? id=86223