The Links Within Marijuana and Society

The video clip above is a brief summary about the cannabis and how its role in society has been portrayed.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zfiaC-2K1LM)

In order to debate whether marijuana should be legal or not, one must analyze the factors that play into both arguments. Listed below is the analysis of main argument points used to defend marijuana or points used against it:

•  One cannot argue that marijuana decreases mental functions. A study done by John Hopkins University was published in May 1999, and lasted for 15 years. They resulted in finding "no significant differences in cognitive decline between heavy users, light users, and non-users of cannabis."Therefore, to state marijuana decreases the mental process capacity in which we think is an incoherent argument without evidence.

• Marijuana is known to be used to treat glaucoma, help individuals who undergo chemotherapy, and be a form of treatment when dealing with some psychological/anxiety disorders. There is no doubt marijuana is an "effective stress reliever," therefore being beneficial to the individuals who need the "stress relieving" aspect of marijuana. Although it is beneficial there are still some states who have banned it even for medical purposes, but have no research or evidence to back that reason behind it besides of its 'view placed in society'. "There are several studies that not only discount marijuana as a cause of schizophrenia, but further suggest that it has sometimes profound beneficial effects on patients with A.D.D., Borderline Personality Disorder and (yes) schizophrenia (Debate: Legalization of Marijuana)."

• To ban marijuana is to also ban the practice of marijuana in some religious rituals. "If venomous snakes in religious rites and rituals (often used on congregational children) cannot be banned in this country (which the Supreme Court decided is constitutionally protected), then what right does the government have to prohibit the use of an obviously less deadly practice such as the consumption of marijuana (Debate: Legalization of Marijuana)?" It is not in the hands of federal government to determine which "spiritual" activities may be performed or not through the First Amendment, especially if it does no harm to the individual or the people surrounding them.

• Going on to the 'harmful' presentation of marijuana. How one treats their body is within their own liberty, even if they want to eat to their death or even drink to their death. Where is the line drawn when it comes to marijuana though? With law regulation, the abuse of alcohol and tobacco is monitored so ensure that individuals do not get carried away. So if it is achievable with those substances why not with marijuana? 

• Marijuana has been said to be a "gateway drug" but their is no causal link that makes that a fact. If it is safe to make assumptions like that the is it not safe to also bring up the thought that "marijuana's illegality itself could be the cause of Marijuana being a gateway drug (Debate: Legalization of Marijuana)." With marijuana occurring in the "blackmarket" of America it also exposes the availablity to harder drugs due to the exposure of the "blackmarket" network; "harder blackmarket drugs, which subsequently increases the likelihood that these consumers will be swayed to try harder drugs (Debate: Legalization of Marijuana)." If marijuana would be legalized then the exposure to the "blackmarket" would be avoided, therefore preventing any contact and use of harder drugs. 

 Sources:
Debate: Legalization of Marijuana. Debatepedia, n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2012. <http://debatepedia.idebate.org/en/index.php/Debate:_Legalization_of_Marijuana#Health:_Is_marijuana_fairly_harmless_health-wise_or_even_spiritually_beneficial.3F>.