Smoke Two Joints
The Legalization of Marijuana
Introduction
Should Marijuana be legalized or should the United States citizens keep letting the government spend millions of their dollars on the “Great War on Drugs? ...
Purpose
The purpose of this research document is to have readers re-evaluate their opinions on the topic of the legalization of marijuana. Readers should know and understand what marijuana can do for our economy as well as for medical patients. ... This research document presents the facts of how our nation can be economically stronger if marijuana is legalized. Marijuana has been used since George Washington was president and it can still be used today legally and safely.
Significance
The significance of this research document is to supply readers with factual data about the legalization of marijuana. This document informs readers of the money spent on the war on drugs with their tax dollars and how our economy can benefit from marijuana being legalized, even the constitution is written on hemp paper. Marijuana has been grown in the United Sates for about 400 years, the first crop was planted near Jamestown, Virginia. ... Marijuana can still be used today as a cash crop if readers know the facts about Marijuana and why it should be legalized. ... Moore’s 12th grade English class and their interest in why marijuana should be legalized. Many researchers have written their opinions about the legalization of marijuana, but who can tell what’s true and what is a myth from so many papers. This research document points out the true facts about how marijuana is harmless and why it was originally illegalized.
Definition of Words
Marijuana: Mar·i·jua·na (mara -wä-nhwä) N. ... 1 : HEMP 2 : any of the preparations (as marijuana or hashish) or chemicals (as THC) that are derived from the hemp and are psychoactive. ... 1: A physiologically active chemical C21H30O2 from hemp plant resin that is the chief intoxicant in marijuana; called also tetrahydrocannabinol. ... 1: To remove or reduce the criminal classification or status of; especially : to repeal a strict ban on while keeping under some form of regulation
Prohibition: pro·hi·bi·tion (prO-&-bi-sh&n also "prO-h&-) N. ...
What is Marijuana?
Marijuana is the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa), like all plants its sensitive to the environment where it grows. ... You may hear marijuana called by street names such as pot, herb, weed, grass, boom, Mary Jane, gangster, or chronic. There are more than two hundred slang terms for marijuana. All forms of marijuana are mind-altering. ... They all contain THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol), the main active chemical in marijuana. ... Marijuana’s effects on the user depend on its strength or potency, which is related to the amount of THC it contains. The THC content of marijuana has been increasing since the 1970s. There are over 10,000 scientific studies that prove marijuana is a harmful addictive drug. There is not one reliable study that demonstrates marijuana has any medical value. Marijuana is an unstable mixture of more than 420 chemicals that convert to thousands when smoked. ... The harmful consequences of smoking marijuana include, but are not limited to the following: premature cancer, addiction, coordination and perception impairment, a number of mental disorders including depression, hostility and increased aggressiveness, general apathy, memory loss, reproductive disabilities, and impairment to the immune system. “Medically, marijuana and THC preparations are sometimes used to treat glaucoma, because they help to reduce pressure within the eye. ... , A Marijuana Dictionary (1982).
The Illegalization of Marijuana
Today marijuana is considered a dangerous drug and a poison to society. Marijuana, the Cannabis Sativa plant, has a long history of discrimination; its prohibition began in the 1930’s. Marijuana has been grown in the United States for about 400 years, the first crop was planted near Jamestown, Virginia. ... Marijuana was first recognized as an intoxicant in the 1930’s and recreational use was quickly associated with Mexican-American immigrants and African-American jazz musicians. At this time, marijuana came to be considered evil and a drain on society. Myths began to spread claiming that marijuana caused all sorts of vicious and criminal side affects, the Federal Bureau of Narcotics headed this mis-information in 1930. ... Exaggerated accounts of violent crimes committed by immigrants reportedly intoxicated by marijuana became popularized" (Parts I, III, V, VI. ... The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 made it a federal offense to use marijuana recreationally, this followed the prohibition of marijuana in 27 states. Representative Robert Doughton of North Carolina introduced the Act of Congress on April 14, 1937; Congress had only two hearings to debate the merits of criminalizing the recreational use of marijuana. ... Nearly half a million users will go to jail every year and some will serve up to thirty for only possession of marijuana (Kubby, Steve and Rosenthal, Ed. Why Marijuana Should Be Legal. ... The illegalization of marijuana hurts our economy, the federal government spends $15. ... The taxpayers pay billions under the pretense that they will be fighting murders and thieves when in reality so much of their money is wasted on those that wish only to exercise their right to legalize marijuana or on thoughts caught with the drug.