ipl-logo

Marijuana Decriminalization Summary

892 Words4 Pages

Problem Description The Simple Possession of Small Quantities Of Marijuana Decriminalization Amendment Act of 2013’s enactment suggests that enough is enough. Per Townes (2015), “between 2001 and 2010, arrests for marijuana possession increased by 61.5 percent. The number of marijuana arrests in D.C. in 2010, 5,393, surpassed those in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Miami-Dade counties in 2010. And in 87 percent of cases involving marijuana arrests, charges for separate crimes were not made.” Marijuana is considered the third most frequently used recreational drug in America and is thought, “to be no more harmful or addictive than alcohol or tobacco” (Fois, 2013; NORML, n.d.). Said statistics suggest that decriminalizing the use of marijuana …show more content…

Soon this practice was extended to African-American artist and musicians whom became easy targets of racial prejudice (Drug Policy Alliance, n.d; Musto, 1991). As a result, the criminalization of marijuana centered upon racial discrimination and politics rather than scientific evaluations regarding risk (Drug Policy Alliance, n.d.). Still today, statistics confirm racial disparities associated with the rate of arrest coupled with the use of marijuana. According to the Drug Policy Alliance (n.d.), “majority of all drug arrests in the District are for simple possession of marijuana and the vast majority of the thousands arrested each year in the District are African American.” Though the usage rates are comparable, “black people are 3.7 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than white people” (Drug Policy Alliance, …show more content…

While “civil infractions and penalties” are still permitted through decriminalization, the adverse consequences of the individual for possession of small quantities of marijuana are no longer irreversible punishments (Fois, 2013). For most criminal convictions, a permanent criminal record is established that trails an individual for the rest of their life. Some convictions have “resulted in individuals not obtaining employment, losing employment, losing their property or housing, being refused admission to college or denied scholarships and other collateral” (Fois, 2013). Nevertheless, public attitudes regarding the use of marijuana is changing and thus many view the adverse consequences as disproportionate to the crime. Moreover, decriminalizing possession of small quantities of marijuana allows law enforcement to focus on more serious crime in addition to cutting cost within the criminal justice system (Fois,

Show More
Related

  • Article Analysis Of Weed ! By Toby Sells And Micaela Watts

    678 Words  | 3 Pages

    They began by introducing Berlin Boyd’s case and defining it as a vote that “pushed the need to do something different to aid African Americans in Memphis, to level economic disparities, and help keep them out of the criminal-justice-system quagmire” (Sells and Watts 276). The authors explain that when officers catch someone with marijuana, it is up to their discretion. They are allowed two choices: to issue a $50 fine or current state charge ($2,500 fine). By providing that comparison, it is evident to the reader that that is an unjust way to charge those with marijuana. The authors then show the statistics of the people who get arrested in previous years and state that “The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) says blacks in the Memphis area are 4.2 times as likely to be arrested for marijuana possession as a white person, though the two groups use marijuana at comparable rates” (277).

    Read More

  • The Possibility Of Prohibition In The 1920's

    948 Words  | 4 Pages

    The prohibition of intoxicating beverages was one of the least successful experiments in American social and criminal history, but in spite of its obvious failure in the 1920s, the American experiment in prohibition is still being continued today. For decades, our leaders have been telling us that America is in the middle of a drug epidemic, and the trade in illicit drugs has certainly created a criminal industry that is incredibly profitable and extremely violent. Until recently, however, few respectable political or law enforcement officials have been willing to consider the possibility of legalization. The moral, medical and social disgrace attached to illegal drug use was simply too great. In recent years, however, as the crisis has escalated

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Legalization Of Marijuana

    1693 Words  | 7 Pages

    In the past decade, a number of movements to legalize the use of marijuana has been gaining momentum. According to the 2016 Gallup survey, a record high 60% of Americans say that marijuana should be legalized and this figure marks a 9% increase compared to 2014. Support for legalizing marijuana was 31% in 2000, 50% in 2016 before reaching 60% last year. This shows that despite government efforts to eliminate its use, marijuana is becoming more popular. It is clear that

    Read More

  • Legalizing Marijuana In Texas Essay

    1568 Words  | 7 Pages

    By legalizing marijuana, Texas can take a significant step towards rectifying these disparities by redirecting law enforcement resources away from non-violent marijuana offenses and towards more pressing issues. This would alleviate the burden on the criminal justice system, allowing for a more effective allocation of resources and a more equitable distribution of justice. Moreover, the concerns surrounding health implications should be carefully considered in the context of marijuana legalization. Contrary to fears that legalization would result in increased marijuana use among adolescents, studies indicate that this is not the case. Research examining states where marijuana has been legalized has found no significant increase in adolescent marijuana use following legalization.

    Read More

  • Drug Sentencing Policy

    942 Words  | 4 Pages

    Data from The Sentencing Project shows that “African Americans use drugs at a 9.7% rate. This is considerably higher compared to 8.1% for whites and 7.6% for Hispanics” (King., Mauer, p.18, 2007). This is one of the reasons why African Americans are a primary target when it comes to drug policies and sentencing laws. This makes this group more inclined to be arrested compared to other races. Especially because, “African Americans make up 14% of the nation’s monthly drug users, they also represent 37% of individuals arrested for a drug offense, and 56% represent individuals in state prison for a drug conviction” (King., Mauer, p.20, 2007).

    Read More

  • Legalizing Marijuana In The United States

    762 Words  | 4 Pages

    In conjunction with the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984, the new law raised federal penalties for marijuana possession and dealing, basing the penalties on the amount of the drug involved (Tarrytown 2006). Possession of 100 marijuana plants received the same penalty as possession of 100 grams of heroin. A later amendment to the Anti-Drug Abuse Act established a "three strikes and you 're out" policy, requiring life sentences for repeat drug offenders, and providing for the death penalty for “drug kingpins” (Anthony 2002). " Marijuana has radically changed over the past years.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Marijuana

    813 Words  | 4 Pages

    We should take concern of the capability marijuana has by affecting people’s lives in a harmful and dangerous manners. According to international marijuana statistics, over 158.8 million individuals around the globe consume marijuana. Resulting, the substance being stupendously nation wide. Therefore, Marijuana should not be legalized in California for any recreational use due to the danger of public safety, damaging both physical and mental health of an individual, along as not meeting the standards to modern medicine. Tragedies occur on the daily for stimulant drugs contaminating into one’s body, causing public to be unsafe.

    Read More

  • Arguments Against Legalizing Marijuana

    1663 Words  | 7 Pages

    It is important to take into consideration the facts that support both legalization and illegalization. The decades following rampant marijuana use have thus presented burning discussions on the question of marijuana legality. In the old years, Marijuana had a lot of economic importance, as it was a commercial cash crop. These days many people view the marijuana as a health hazard rather than of social, political, economic importance and its cultural relevance, but people of the old days had different views and used for it.

    Read More

  • Crime In The United States

    622 Words  | 3 Pages

    Does legalize a drug force it less of a proposition or honest one that we aren’t arresting led for? We need to reexamine how we view childish offenders. Broadly oratory, are we countenance for the “bulky” arrests or misdemeanors? Should we focus on restorative justice or

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Legalizing Marijuana

    1312 Words  | 6 Pages

    Last year, half of all federal prisoners in the U.S. were serving sentences for drug offenses.” The nation’s tax dollars are being wasted on marijuana drug busts, arrests, and incarcerations, instead of rehab centers. People are very likely to bounce back to their old habits if they do not receive the help that they need. The ineffective war has only ruined people’s lives, rather than helping them. The “crime” that marijuana users are charged with will permanently be apart of the person’s record.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Legalizing Marijuana

    1450 Words  | 6 Pages

    Introduction In the United States of America, the debate about whether recreational drugs should be legalized or not has been going on for decades. This debate is certainly no small matter, since it often sparks conflict between so many parties. As of September 2017, states in the western gulf such as California, Oregon, and Washington have legalized both recreational and medical marijuana, making six states in total fully supportive of the use of marijuana, sixteen states only legalizing for medical use, and the rest of the US still hasn’t had a clear law regarding the use of marijuana (State marijuana laws in 2017 map, 2017). This paper will emphasize the support of legalizing marijuana as a recreational drug.

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Legalizing Marijuana

    1756 Words  | 8 Pages

    O'Rourke (2011) said that “in 2009, the United States has arrested 758,593 of its own adult citizens for merely possessing marijuana” (pg.89). Advocates believe that because of the vast amount of arrests, many citizens have lost their chance to become a productive member of society. In this case, legalizing marijuana would lead to fewer arrests for possession of marijuana and society would be more productive. Another argument for marijuana legalization is that the cost of marijuana prohibition is expensive. O'Rourke (2011) said that the cost is “close to $9 billion annually” (pg.92).

    Read More

  • Substitution Effect: Theories Of Substance Use

    763 Words  | 4 Pages

    In addition, suicides have seen a reduction where some sort of cannabis has been legalized (Anderson DM, Rees DI, Sabia JJ, 2014). Even more good news is that auto-related fatalities are lower in these locations with legal cannabis (Santaella-Tenorio J, Mauro C, Wall M., Kim J., Cerdá M., Keyes K., et al., 2014). These numbers are all directly related to declines in alcohol use. Furthermore, epidemiological research shows that the introduction of medical cannabis programs has been associated with reducing the use of opioids and subsequent morbidity and mortality rates in the US. Bachhuber et al reports, “the U.S. States with medical cannabis laws, including Oregon, had almost a 25% lower opioid overdose mortality rate compared to states without medical cannabis laws.”

    Read More

  • Marijuana Debate

    308 Words  | 2 Pages

    Some people drink, others smoke marijuana, some do both. Some religions allow alcoholic beverages, while others do not believe drinking has a place in society. Many religions have chosen not to discuss marijuana, while others speak out against the legalization of the substance. Both have been debated for years. Alcohol has been an discussion from the days of prohibition, through today.

    Read More

  • Cannabis: The Legalization Of Marijuana

    396 Words  | 2 Pages

    Legalization of Cannabis Everyone is entitled to their own individual independence along with individual groups. The legalization of Marijuana is a group that should be entitled to independence, why? As in today’s generation marijuana has been put into a new perspective on how it affects us physically, mentally, emotionally and finically. Legalizing marijuana would not only bring benefit to the people but also bring the nation’s largest cash crop into hand under the rule of the law, creating jobs and economic opportunities in the proper economy instead of the black market. There are many reasonable facts illustrating the positive outcomes to legalizing marijuana and what the new condition will mean to society.

    Read More

More about Marijuana Decriminalization Summary

Open Document