| Term Paper Title | THE PROS AND CONS OF THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA |
| # of Words | 2309 |
| # of Pages (250 words per page double spaced) | 9.24 |
THE PROS AND CONS OF THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA
NOTE: THIS PAPER REC’D AN “A” grade at a Calif. Community College……YEAR 2002, Admin. Of Justice class….
The United States is a country full of controversy. It was even settled by people
who had come from a country in the midst of controversy. Many controversial issues do
not have a clear solution that makes everyone happy and oftentimes a compromise is
essential in order to move on.
When it comes to the controversy of legalizing marijuana, however, the best
approach would be a listing of the pros and cons. To fully understand the issue, it is
only rational to include any and all pertinent information based on facts and research—
not strictly opinion. To complete this approach, I have decided to go back thousands
of years for enlightening historical information on the use and abuse of this drug.
In China, (4,000 B.C.) the marijuana plant was used as an "all-purpose"
medication. It was not as popular as other cures that were available, stronger, and
thereby more effective.
In India, (2,000 B.C.) marijuana was used in tea for spiritual rituals such as to be
closer to God. It grew wild throughout the countryside. Eventually it was smoked,
which lead to an increase in preparation and distribution methods, especially for profit.
It became an expensive, mind-altering, euphoric drug.
From India, the use of marijuana spread to the Middle East. Muslims were
forbidden to partake in alcohol, so they leaned towards marijuana use instead. The
Arabs then invaded North Africa in the 9-12th century and from there the drug
eventually spread throughout Europe.
Upon France's invasion/conquerance of Egypt in the 1800's, (with very little
resistance due to the populous being in a perpetual state of drug stupor!), Napoleon
decreed the use of hashish (a form of the drug) forbidden in all forms. Drug abuse was
considered a major cause for Egypt's decline as a nation.
The drug's initial spread to the West (late 1800's) was for scientific
experimentation. England was prescribing it for a variety of ills: epilepsy, rheumatism,
and menstrual cramps. It was introduced there, post war, due to a need for workers
who migrated from India and Turkey, bringing the centuries-old smoking habit with
them.
As for the United States, (1910) most of the supply came from Mexico, and the
predominant use was among poor black and Mexican workers throughout Texas and
Louisiana. After World War II, jazz music had become popular especially in New
Orleans. Many black musicians picked up the habit. Its' use spread up the Mississippi
River and on out from the big cities. Because it was used so much in Louisiana, many
negative articles popped up in the media. People started to assume all crimes were
black related and marijuana related. This negative press led to an outspoken critic,
Harry Anslinger.
This man was the Director of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. He was
instrumental in the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. This act prohibited the
cultivation, possession, and distribution of hemp plants with the exception of the rope
and seed (if sterilized) industries.
However, jazz music had begun to evolve into rock music along with the growing
Hippie culture. Marijuana was a part of that movement. The so-called “swinger” crowd
of the 50's, 60's, and soon even the high school and college crowd of the 70's had
rebellion in common. This would be rebellion against authorities and traditional Puritan
values. Therefore marijuana = rebellion. Before the country truly grasped what had
been occurring, 20 million were regular pot smokers. At the time, there was not enough
convincing evidence against its use. It was socially...Read entire document
|
|
