Legalization of Marijuana

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Marijuana legalization
Introduction
Marijuana is perceived as a hemp or cannabaceae family member, considered to have had its origin within India’s mountainous districts, north of mountains of Himalayas. It is prepared from dried leaves and flower clusters from cannabis plant, generally eaten or smoked for the purpose of inducing euphoria (Gerber 2004, p.6). The idea concerning marijuana legalization has brought about heated debate with some individuals holding that it ought to be legalized while others oppose its legalization. This paper attempts to highlight arguments in support of marijuana legalization as well as those in its opposition. The various arguments are as follows.
Arguments supporting marijuana legalization
Individuals who shore up marijuana legalization have brought out various arguments which may be brought to light as follows. For instance, marijuana legalization is essential because prohibition has not helped at all (Levinson 2002, p.60). This implies that illegalizing it has steered failure realization. Marijuana prohibition has not benefitted the nation but has instead steered the realization of enormous problems. Appropriate evidence has not been attained that drug utilization has decreased due to prohibition, and various theories exist which put forward that prohibition has the capacity to augment drug use. That is, the effect concerning “forbidden fruit” as well as simple accessibility by youths. Among the unintended marijuana prohibition effects, is its amplified popularity within high schools in United States. This is because of its availability. One does not have to have attained twenty one years to be able to purchase marijuana. All marijuana dealers care about is money availability but not age. Marijuana attainment by students at high school level is easier compared to alcohol, due to the fact that legalization of alcohol makes it possible for suitable regulative measures to be employed so as to ensure that kids do not access it.
For the goal of drug consumption reduction to be attained, nations ought to focus upon honest and open programs towards education of youths, treatment programs towards individuals experiencing drug problems, and appropriate regulation measures towards restricting drugs availability to kids (Maccoun 2001, p.33). However, the existing prohibition scheme has no capacity to promote such rational methods to marijuana. As an alternative, individuals experience the instilled fear by police towards marijuana use instead of offering of treatment to individuals suffering from the various drug problems. Attempts which were made towards alcohol prohibition miserably failed. Nations should therefore learn their lessons hence stop allowing for the same mistake repetition. Owing to the fact that prohibition is not effective, treatment and education which are better methods should be applied towards addressing of the experienced drug problems.
Secondly, high costs are usually faced as the government attempts to maintain the illegal condition of marijuana (Goode 2000, p.21). It is therefore clear that marijuana ought to remain legal because its legality will save governments from enormous costs. Within the United States, it has been found out that entire government levels which include local, state and federal authorities take part in drug war. As a result, heavy costs are currently incurred yearly towards the chase of peaceful individuals who end up gaining interest of getting high. They are locked up within prisons after which taxpayers must foot the involved bill. We must make payments for court fees, attorney fees, health care, housing, food and other operating costs to lock up the individuals. This turns out to be very costly. We could accumulate billions of money yearly as a country if money wastage towards locking of individuals associated with marijuana trade or consumption is stopped (Gerber 2004, p.7). As well, if legalization of marijuana was attained, it would bring about considerable incomes to government through taxation. This income would be utilized in appropriate programs regarding drug education as well as other fundamental causes. Therefore, marijuana ought to be legalized because through that nations will have increased money amounts to spend upon vital problems.
Thirdly, there is the argument of liberty which indicates that individuals deserve freedom towards marijuana utilization (Earleywine 2002, p.17). The reason as to why marijuana ought to be legalized is because no appropriate reason exists as to why it ought to be considered illegal. While some individuals pose questions as to why marijuana ought to be legalized, it is clear that we ought to be seeking answers as to why it is considered illegal in the first place. From the view point of philosophy, individuals deserve choice making rights for themselves. Choices limitation by government should apply only in cases whereby actions of involved individuals pose danger to others. Marijuana does not steer such a situation occurrence because people who make choices towards marijuana utilization are not influenced by anyone but out of free will. It is clear that if the actions of individuals are likely to bring about threats to them, the government has the right to limit their actions (Earleywine 2002, p.18). However, this argument is inapplicable to marijuana due to the fact that marijuana has no the capacity to pose considerable threats like some drugs which are still considered legal, like tobacco and alcohol. Therefore, individuals ought to be granted the right to make decisions as to whether to utilize marijuana or not, and the government ought not to dictate them on the moves to take provided that they pose no harm to others.
In addition, marijuana is usually utilized for religious purposes and thus its legalization is essential because it will do away with the uncertainties facing the religious groups. Just like Judaism and Christianity instruct followers to make use of wine during some occasions, it is clear that some Rastafarians, Buddhists, Hindus and other religious group members make use of marijuana, during their religious and spiritual ceremonies (Levinson 2002, p.62). Therefore, these individuals should be granted the freedom of carrying out the held religious practices. Most nations hold the views that government has no the capacity to restrict individuals from free religious practices, hence marijuana ought to be legalized.
Moreover, marijuana legalization is essential because of benefits which are attainable from hemp. The plant regarded as hemp is perceived as an important natural resource. Marijuana legalization will do away with the uncertainty surrounding hemp, hence making it possible for individuals to enjoy the industrial as well as agricultural uses associated with hemp (Maccoun 2001, p.35).
Furthermore, marijuana legalization ought to be promoted because of the associated medicinal value (Goode 2000, p.24). It may be applied as medicine due to its ability to relieve nausea among AIDs and cancer patients as well as arousing appetite. <...