Speech on the Legalization of Marijuana
Mary Jane. Herb. Buds. Chronic. Reefer. Ganja. Charas. Sens. Boom. Buddha. Dope. Weed. Pot. All of these names describe one thing: marijuana. Over the years, this plant has acquired many names and uses. At this time in the United States, marijuana is an illegal drug with numerous users and is widely available for a price. Many users speak of the benefits of smoking marijuana and want to get it legalized for that purpose. My name is Dr. ———— and I am the President of NORML–The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. Our sole purpose is to first legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes, so that research can tell us exactly what kind of a drug this is and how the drug works in the human body. This research will enable the medicinal marijuana to be available for the public for general purposes.
Having heard that water is at least ten thousand years old, one can say that marijuana is as old as water because tens of thousands of years ago, ancient people first used this green plant for food. Then, it was discovered that the plant, sometimes called hemp, produces fibers used to make rope, cloth, roofing materials, and floor coverings (Monroe 11). Only in more recent times have people learned of this plant’s benefits when it is smoked. Pot has been smoked since the 1960s because of the effects it causes.
When smoked, marijuana alters brain functions causing the person to experience the ultimate euphoric feeling. This is the main reason that patients with chronic illnesses, who are suffering a great deal of pain, smoke marijuana. The pain relief comes within minutes of smoking pot, whereas prescription painkillers can take up to 45 minutes to take effect (Monroe 4).
Marijuana, like any other drug, is not harmless. Probably the most dangerous effect of making marijuana is potential lung damage. This is because marijuana cigarettes contain very high levels of tar–about twice as much as tobacco cigarettes. It is true that users of this product will generally not smoke as much marijuana as tobacco smokers smoke tobacco, but the dangers of tar inhalation still remain.
This should not be a concern, however, for patients with terminal cancer or AIDS. People with glaucoma might also be willing to risk some potential harm to their health for the sake of preserving their sight. It also appears to relieve the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Through its famous induction of “the munchies”, it stimulates the appetites of those who have lost the desire to eat, such as people suffering the late stages of AIDS.
Compared with the chemotherapeutic agents responsible for the nausea and vomiting that leads people to marijuana, marijuana itself is quite safe. According to testimony given to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), one would have to consume 20,000 to 40,000 times as much marijuana as is contained in one marijuana cigarette–that is to say, nearly 1500 pounds of marijuana in about 15 minutes–in order to ingest a fatal amount. The chemotherapy agents themselves are far more lethal (Economist 4). This proves that it is humanly impossible to die from a marijuana overdose. Fifteen hundred people cannot do this, so how can one?
It is said that marijuana is a drug of unproven safety and effectiveness, and such unproven drugs should not be allowed. But the effectiveness of medicinal marijuana has been attested to by thousands of patients who have used it illegally. Should it matter whether the relief of nausea and pain is the result of some “scientifically proven” direct chemical action of marijuana or is the result of a marijuana-induced euphoria?
Pain and relief are notoriously difficult to quantify in controlled experiments. What counts is whether the suffering of a seriously ill patient is relieved, rather than whether or not data “prove” efficacy. Dronabinol, a drug that contains tetrahydrocannibinol (THC), one of the active ingredients is marijuana, has been available by prescription for 10 years (Economist 5). It is not widely used, however, because it is so difficult to measure an effective therapeutic dosage. Self-administered marijuana , on the other hand, has allowed patients a degree of control over the dosage and has proved quite effective (Economist 6).
It should also be noted that law allows physicians to prescribe narcotic drugs such as morphine for the relief of pain. With morphine, however, the difference between the dose that relieves pain and the dose that hastens death is very small. With marijuana, there simply is no risk of death.
Legalizing marijuana would not just benefit the Americans that need pain relief, but also those American farmers that need a good cash crop to earn them large sums of money. Now that I have your attention, ladies and gentlemen of Congress, let me explain. The NORML Foundation concluded on October 14, 1998 that marijuana is the fourth largest cash crop in America despite the law enforcement enforcing prohibition (NORML 1). Marijuana ranks under corn, soybeans, and hay in the top four cash crop list, unofficially. (Since it is illegal, it is not normally included in the list).
This report “estimates that farmers harvested 8.7 million marijuana plants in 1997 worth $15.1 billion to growers and $25.2 billion on the retail market” (NORML 1). The wholesale value of marijuana was used to compare it to other cash crops in the reports. Allen St. Pierre, executive director of The NORML Foundation, stated that, “Had the author’s [of the report] calculated marijuana’s total value to growers by street market prices, marijuana would decidedly rank as America’s number one cash crop.” (NORML 2)
The report bases its findings on “Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) marijuana eradication statistics, a survey of state police eradication self-appraisals, and published marijuana price reports” (NORML 2). Had the authors accepted the governments one pound per plant standard, 1997’s marijuana crop would have been worth $26.3 billion to growers and $43.8 billion on the street (NORML 2).
Allen St. Pierre said, “Marijuana cultivation is here to stay. The question is: Do we continue with current, unsuccessful efforts to sanction growers and users, or do we try to harness this unregulated, multi-billion dollar-a-year industry?” (NORML 2).
That is where you, ladies and gentlemen of Congress, come in. Legalization of marijuana would mean more money for the nation as a whole. For medicinal purposes, patients will have an herbal alternative to prescription painkillers. For the farmer, they will have another cash crop to grow. For the government, marijuana would be another export/import that would bring in large sums of money.
As far as regulation of this drug, laws setting an age limit to purchase the drug, for example, you have to be 18 to purchase tobacco products and 21 to be purchase alcohol products. Grants will have to be awarded by the government for research on this drug and people will have to be hired to do the research. This also creates job opportunities for the unemployed citizens of the United States.
My explanations have shown you the benefits of marijuana and ways to regulate it. It is now your decision to make on whether or not to legalize it. Legalization would only benefit everyone. Thank you.
Works Cited
“Marijuana Ranks Fourth Largest Cash Crop in America Despite Prohibition.” NORML
News. 1998. Online. Yahoo. Internet. 15 October
1998. Available natlnorml/news/index.shtml
Monroe, Judy. “Marijuana-a mind altering drug.” Current Health 2. March 1998.
Online. Infotrac. Internet-Undergraduate Library. 16 October 1998.
web7.searchbank/infotrac/session/998/978/24939215w3/40!xrn_35
“Pot on Presciption.” The Economist. June 13, 1998. Online. Infotrac. Internet.
16 October 1998. Available web7.searchbank/infotrac/session/998/978/24939215w3/24!nrn_16
“Twelve Reasons to Legalize Drugs.” The Pragmatist. August 1998. Online. Yahoo.
Internet. 16 October 1998. Available turnpike/ hnr/12reason.htm
33e
Другие работы по теме:
Marijuana Yes Or No Essay Research Paper
Should Marijuana be Legalized? Abraham Lincoln once said, Prohibition makes crimes out of things that are not crimes. This is true with the prohibition of marijuana: the use of marijuana should not be a crime, but prohibition makes it one. The real crimes being committed are those by the government. The spend billions of our tax dollars every year in the war against marijuana, lie to us about the harmful effects, and deny sick patients the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
Legalization Of Marijuana For Medical Purposes Essay
, Research Paper For years, there has been a contoversy over the legalization of marijuana. Marijuana is a drug made from the top of hemp plants. In the United States, it is classified as a narcotic drug that has been illegal since 1937. Unlike most narcotics though, it does not cause a physical dependency or addiction.
Marijuana Essay Research Paper Has the time
Marijuana Essay, Research Paper Has the time come to legalize marijuana? Marijuana has been known to man for quite some time now and has been used for centuries. The Marijuana prohibition has been in effect since 1937 and continues today. The real question is, is it time that we as Americans reconsider this prohibition and look closer at the possible positive effects that marijuana can offer?
Cancer Essay Research Paper My friend John
Cancer Essay, Research Paper My friend, John, has an uncle who had cancer eight years ago. For five months, he had to get shots of chemotherapy every week. To him, the cancer wasn?t the
Legalization Essay Research Paper LegalizationHave you ever
Legalization Essay, Research Paper Legalization Have you ever been arrested for possession of marijuana? Last year there were more than 695,201 marijuana arrests in the United States. Of those arrests 87.2% were for possession – not for sale or manufacture of marijuana. There have been over 11 million marijuana arrests in the United States since 1965. 12.7% of today s overcrowded federal prison population is made up of people incarcerated for marijuana offenses, with an average sentence of about three to four years.
Marijuana Essay Research Paper Most users roll
Marijuana Essay, Research Paper Most users roll loose marijuana into a cigarette commonly known as a “joint.” A typical joint contains between 0.5 and 1.0 gram of Marijuana plant matter, which varies in THC content between 5 and 150 milligrams. The drug also can be smoked in a pipe. One well-known type of water pipe is the bong.
Legalization Of Marijuana Essay Research Paper The
Legalization Of Marijuana Essay, Research Paper The purpose of this paper is to discuss marijuana and compare the issue of legalizing it from both sides. We have two factions fighting each other, those who are pro-marijuana and those who are anti-marijuana. These two factions have been fighting on this issue in the halls of justice for years.
Wed2viewA Essay Research Paper Legalization of Marijuana
Wed2view(A) Essay, Research Paper Legalization of Marijuana—–The purpose of this paper is to discuss marijuana and compare bothsides of the issue of legalizing marijuana. We have two factions fighting each other ; onethose who are pro marijuana and those who are anti marijuana. These two factions have beenfighting on this issue on the halls of justice for years.
Teen Smoking Essay Research Paper Negative effects
Teen Smoking Essay, Research Paper Negative effects of Marijuana Marijuana is the least harmful drug, but it does have negative health effects. Though moderate users of marijuana are taking less risks than a moderate
Marijuana 6 Essay Research Paper Medical MarijuanaMarijuana
Marijuana 6 Essay, Research Paper Medical Marijuana? Marijuana, a drug that has been studied for many decades, provides for a very heated argument. No longer is it seen solely as a hallucinogen, but some claim that it is miracle drug for chemotherapy and glaucoma patients. However, no legitiment medical organizations, see marijuana as a safe and effective medicine.
Marijuana Essay Research Paper IssuesThe issue I
Marijuana Essay, Research Paper Issues The issue I would like to bring up is the legalization of medical and/or recreational marijuana. I feel this would be beneficial to most everyone, both users and non-users. Marijuana has been proven to help a great deal for glaucoma sufferers as stated in the Hallucinogenic Encyclopedia.
Marijuana Legalization Essay Research Paper I personally
Marijuana Legalization Essay, Research Paper I personally don?t smoke marijuana I?ll admit I tried it once but quickly rethought my decision after having the feelings that my lungs were going to collapse and my throat was on fire. However I have more friends that partake is smoking marijuana than not, in truth at least 75% of my friends are smokers.
Legalizing Marijuana Essay Research Paper Legalizing MarijuanaMarijuana
Legalizing Marijuana Essay, Research Paper Legalizing Marijuana Marijuana becoming legal is a topic every American should agree on. The reason being is it would benefit Americans in three ways; there would be less crowding in jails, it would create more tax income, and it would cut down the amount of crime in the country.
Legalizing Marijuanna Essay Research Paper Legalizing MarijuanaThe
Legalizing Marijuanna Essay, Research Paper Legalizing Marijuana The purpose of this paper is to discuss marijuana and compare both sides of the issue of legalizing marijuana. We have two opposite opinions fighting each other, those who are pro marijuana and those who are anti-marijuana. These two sides have been fighting on this issue for years.
Legalization Of Medicinal Marijuana Essay Research Paper
Legalization of Marijuana During the Carter, Reagan, and Bush administrations, eight people in the United States were allowed to use marijuana for medicinal purposes under the Compassionate Investigative New Drug program. However, since the Clinton administration no new applications have been accepted.
Marijuana Conflict Essay Research Paper Marijuana ConflictIn
Marijuana Conflict Essay, Research Paper Marijuana Conflict In investigating the matter of California s proposition 215 and Arizona s proposition 200, I found out of many important issues that need to be discussed before making the decision of legalizing marijuana completely. In the run-up to November s elections, opponents of California s proposition 215 and Arizona s proposition, both of which allow doctors to recommend or prescribe currently illegal drugs drove home one basic point; These ballot initiatives were, in the words of Clinton and Barry McCaffery, a stalking horse for legalization. (McCaffery 39).
Just Some Bad Logic Essay Research Paper
Just Some Bad Logic The Battle For Medical Marijuana in The War on Drugs is an article written by William E. Stempsey debating over why the dispute against the legalization of medical marijuana is just bad logic. The article is clearly for the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes and gives several opinions on why opponents of this issue are incorrect with their arguments.
Drug Legalization Essay Research Paper Drug Education
Drug Legalization Essay, Research Paper Drug Education and Prevention Question #2 March 8th 2000 Will the legalization of certain drugs reduce the crime rate in the United States? This question has baffled United States lawmakers, reformists, and citizens alike for so long that many people probably consider it a rhetorical question.
Legalization Of Marijuana 5 Essay Research Paper
Legalization of Marijuana Legalization of Marijuana has quickly become a controversial issue in America. In the United States, legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes is spreading to the state level. For example, in November 1996, the people of California and Arizona voted to legalize marijuana for medicinal reasons.
Issues On Legalization Of Marijuana Essay Research
Paper Issues in Legalization of Marijuana The legalization of marijuana has long been a strongly debated social issue in the United States. Both sides have gathered their thoughts and research to provide a persuasive view of their position. Other than the issue of the medicinal benefits that can be provided through the prescribed use of marijuana, here in the United States there is a war raging regarding the personal opinions of many and the politics regarding the same.
Legalize It Essay Research Paper In the
Legalize It Essay, Research Paper In the words of Peter Tosh “legalize it do not criticize it!” Marijuana Should ve legalized for medicinal, recreational, and religioys purposes. Legalization has been a big issus for the last couple of years. Arizona and Califouria have both instated medical Marijuana laws.These laws are a huge step for universal legalization.
Legal Marijuana Essay Research Paper Legalization of
Legal Marijuana Essay, Research Paper Legalization of Marijuana By: Michelle Jarka E-mail: shellgal8@aol Legalization of Marijuana Should marijuana be legalized? This has been an enormous controversial issue for the last couple of decades. It?s a drug that can be good for you, yet cause many great dangers.
Legalization Of Drugs Essay Research Paper The
Legalization Of Drugs Essay, Research Paper The legalization of drugs has always been a problem in the United States. Some people agree with the Idea of legalizing drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and many others. These people argue that with the legalization of these drugs the crime rate and other social problems would reduce.
Legalization Essay Research Paper The legalization of
Legalization Essay, Research Paper The legalization of marijuana The Legalization of Marijuana For the last fifty or so years it has been a crime to possess, consume, or distribute marijuana. Any rapid change in legislation toward legalization would be impossible in today?s culture. Due mostly to the overwhelming popularity of this drug it could never possibly be legalized.
Legalize Marijuana Essay Research Paper I for
Legalize Marijuana Essay, Research Paper I, for one, believe that Marijuana should be legalized. I have several reasons for this, the main one is that it would almost completely eliminate the crime and other
Legalize Marijuana Essay Research Paper Should Marijuana 2
Legalize Marijuana? Essay, Research Paper Should Marijuana be Legalized? The purpose of this paper is to discuss marijuana and compare both sides of the issue of legalizing marijuana. We have two factions fighting each other; one those who are pro marijuana and those who are anti marijuana. These two factions have been fighting on this issue for many, many years.
Should Marijuana Be Legalized Essay Research Paper 2
Should Marijuana Be Legalized? Essay, Research Paper Should Marijuana be Legalized? Aaron Roberts Mr. Marshall 4/5/00 Marijuana should be legalized. Marijuana s composition is complex, and has a number of physiological effects. Also, a reason for marijuana legalization is the potential wealth of health benefits that have largely been ignored (www.howardcc.edu).
Legalization Of Marijuana Essay Research Paper Legalization
Legalization Of Marijuana Essay, Research Paper Legalization of medical marijuana This act may be cited as the ? legalization of marijuana? Sec. 1 This bill will be for the well being of the pain stricken patients in our nation’s hospitals, a doctor that will decide if a patient is illegible to receive marijuana.