Peer Essay Review
Manuela Marin
Professor Walter
The Confident Writer
28 March 2020
Marin6
Legalization of Marijuana
Legalization of marijuana has become an increasingly controversial topic of conversation over the last couple of years. So much so, in fact, that decriminalization and/or legalization have been hot topics in presidential debates and other lower political seats. Some states allow cannabis usage for medicinal purposes, like New Jersey, while other states, like California and Colorado, have legalized recreational usage. Age, race, and religion are all part of the divide on this topic, making it one of the most debated issues in today’s social and political climate. I believe that marijuana usage should be legalized not only for medicinal usage, but also recreationally.
A big part of the controversy surrounding marijuana usage is the negative stigma surrounding it. Simply the word “drug” itself has a negative connotation, even when used in referencing various over-the-counter medicines. The word “drug” means a medicine or other substance, which has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body. In my opinion, many issues today could be solved with education. Researching and forming your own opinions on a topic is vital if you are to truly understand it. In this age of technology ready at your fingertips, it is easy to be misinformed if you do not properly vet the information presented.
Cannabis is a plant, and from that plant there are over 540 chemical substances. Cannabinoids are a group of substances that are found within the cannabis plant. The main cannabinoids are Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol, or THC and CBD, respectively (Marijuana and Cannabinoids). Marijuana refers to the parts of cannabis that contain THC, which has the psychoactive element. The main difference between THC and CBD is that CBD does not have this psychoactive side effect; however, it still has chemical properties that make your body feel more relaxed. CBD also has the highest anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties found within nature (Marijuana and Cannabinoids).
Portrayal in entertainment is one of the ways in which we get our information, or misinformation. Historically, marijuana users have been portrayed as lazy, unfocused, and generally follow the “stoner” stereotype. In the movie Clueless, we have Travis, a seemingly below-average student who only cares about skateboarding with his friends. In That 70’s Show, we have a group of teenagers rebelling against their parents and smoking in the basement. What I have learned in my twenty-two years of life is that a lot more people are marijuana users than I would have thought. CEOs, professors, doctors, and so many more professionals are users of marijuana, and they all live successful lives, lives that would not be possible if they were like the lazy, unintelligent stoners that media portrays.
Some news outlets will show marijuana users as lazy stoners or dangerous criminals. Often times, the criminals that they accuse of being marijuana users are people of color. More racial minorities are depicted as criminals than nonracial minorities. This is detrimental because this results in more people of color ending up incarcerated. People in the United States use and sell marijuana at roughly the same rate regardless of their race, yet a Black person is almost four times more likely than a white person to be arrested for marijuana possession nationwide (Resing). The legal consequences of being caught with marijuana depend on the amount with which you are caught. Large enough quantities can signal to an officer that you were holding it for sale, and this can lead to a felony charge. If arrested by a federal agent, this usually means you were a target for an investigation of drug trafficking or large-scale operation. Felony charges occur when there is a large quantity, growing or cultivation, and manufacturing or sale of paraphernalia. Paraphernalia can include pipes, bongs, or roach clips. When arrested by a state officer, charges will vary from state to state. In the state of New Jersey, you are allowed to use marijuana for medicinal purposes; however, it is illegal to drive under an influence. If caught with less than fifty grams of marijuana, you will face up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail, If caught with more than fifty grams, you can face up to a $25,000 fine and eighteen months in jail (NORML - Working to Reform Marijuana Laws). Selling marijuana carries a penalty between three and twenty years in jail and fines between $25,000 and $300,000(NORML - Working to Reform Marijuana Laws). Some other punishments for getting caught with marijuana are drug awareness classes, mandatory drug tests, probation, electronic monitoring, and suspension of driver’s license. A lot of the stigma surrounding marijuana usage is because people do not know about its incredible ability, and instead, only know of negative stereotypes
A reason to support the usage of cannabis would be for its medicinal purposes. THC found within cannabis is known for making its users lethargic or hungry. If you were healthy, you probably would not give these symptoms a second thought. However, for others, this could be life saving. Around thirty percent of adults in the United States suffer from insomnia. With insomnia come sleepless nights and difficult mornings. Some people may even be able to get to sleep, but have an issue staying asleep. In this case, lethargy would be a welcome side effect. Appetite loss is a very serious symptom that accompanies many different kinds of illnesses, like cancer. Personally, my grandmother suffers from lung cancer and is well below a healthy weight for her age and height. She finds it difficult to eat most days, as this is a side effect of her illness, and I believe something like marijuana would be an effective appetite stimulant for her. The health benefits do not stop there; it is also been seen to improve lung capacity and help lose weight by means of regulating insulin and managing caloric intake.
Cannabis can be used to treat several mental illnesses as well. It can be used to treat those who suffer from anxiety; however, it should be under the careful watch of a physician because studies show that marijuana usage could increase paranoid thoughts. Marijuana usage has also shown results for individuals dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. Marijuana helps promote neuroplasticity, which happens when neurons form a connection. Marijuana has also been known to be a mood stabilizer, which helps those dealing with depression and anxiety. It can be used as a form of treatment for ADD, or Attention Deficit Disorder; this is seen as a safer alternative to Adderall or Ritalin. Cannabis is also commonly used as a pain medication. Opioids are often the drug of choice for pain medication, but that is only because they are the primary, legally allowed treatment. However, the United States is currently in the midst of an opioid epidemic. Marijuana can be just as effective, and is shown to be non-addictive, unlike opioids.
There are more severe disorders that marijuana usage can help with. Medical marijuana has been known to aid those who suffer from epilepsy. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions, associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain
One of the most famous cases is of a young girl named Charlotte Figgy. “At any give time, Charlotte will be on seven daily pharmaceutical seizure medications; none of which control her seizure: (Stanley). Within the first administration, Charlotte went from having a seizure every twenty to twenty-five minutes, about 400 a week, down to zero to one per week (Stanley). Her physicians have also seen improvement in her overall cognitive function. Medicinal marijuana has been known to help slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease, ALS, MLS, and diabetes. Marijuana usage has also shown results for individuals dealing with migraines, arthritis, and heart disease. Marijuana can be a life-changing drug, but because of its minor mind-altering capabilities, it is seen as dastardly and criminal.
One of the most important arguments in favor of legalizing marijuana, in my opinion, is the benefit it would have to the economy. “By mapping out state-by-state sales to $24.5 billion in 2025 and projecting that cannabis industry employment could top 255,000 jobs within three years, New Frontier hopes to show that cannabis is not “just a flash in the pan,” said John Kagia, the firm’s executive vice president of industry analytics” (Wallace). Creating jobs is important to boosting the economy because once people are employed; they are able to contribute to the economy by buying more. Regulating marijuana usage would be a big boost to the economy. The taxes that marijuana would generate can be put back into the economy.
Many states are in the process of deciding whether or not to legalize marijuana. Some that have done so are Alaska, Colorado, Washington D.C., and others. Other states are considering decriminalization, which means that instead of a misdemeanor or felony charge, the individual is charged with an infraction or citation. This usually just ends in a small fine and no criminal record. More voters want marijuana usage legalized. This is so that more people have the opportunity to use it as medication and have the chance to use it without legal repercussions. It is important to replace the fear with acceptance, understanding, and education. Scientists are still trying to figure out the effects marijuana can have on diseases.
Works Cited
“Marijuana and Cannabinoids.” National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 25 Oct. 2018, https://nccih.nih.gov/health/marijuana.
“NORML - Working to Reform Marijuana Laws.” The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, norml.org/laws/item/new-jersey-penalties-2.
Oberg, Erica, and Nd. “What Is Medical Marijuana? CBD, THC & Cannabis
Prescriptions.” MedicineNet, MedicineNet, 14 Nov. 2019, https://www.medicinenet.com/medical_marijuana_medical_cannabis/article.htm.
Resing, Charlotte. “Marijuana Legalization Is a Racial Justice Issue.” American Civil Liberties Union, American Civil Liberties Union, 22 Apr. 2019, www.aclu.org/blog/criminal-law-reform/drug-law-reform/marijuana-legalization-racial-justice-issue.
Stanley, Josh. “The Surprising Story of Medical Marijuana and Pediatric Epilepsy.” YouTube, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciQ4ErmhO7g.
Wallace, Alicia. “Report: America's Marijuana Industry Headed for $24 Billion by 2025.” The Cannabist, The Cannabist, 21 Mar. 2018, www.thecannabist.co/2017/02/22/report-united-states-marijuana-sales-projections-2025/74059/.