Cannabis all starters in Mexico, where it was a country known for “drug pushers” which in the modern world is seen as the black man on the corner loudly saying “dimes on the diesel” or “loud, loud, loud”. This is what Michelle Alexander was talking about in her book The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. “A black man was on his knee in the gutter, hands cuffed behind his back, as several police officers stood around him talking, joking, and ignoring his human existence”. Alexander stated in this quote “a black man” which has been by far the worst modern perception of cannabis when referring to the racial aspect. In the city of Baltimore, the setting looks like a lot of black men on every corner or a police officer …show more content…
In the DARE reading, it states “Controversy also rages over marijuana’s fiercely by proponents and detractors, respectively. One fact remains indisputable: Marijuana is the most abused illegal drug in the world” This where the perception comes into questioning when the question is asked, “Is Marijuana more so used for medical usage or recreational usage in the modern world?” There are very few states who legalized recreational marijuana/ decriminalized marijuana which are Alaska, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, DC, and Washington State. The perception of states that legalized Marijuana is that they have a lot of violence, because of the opportunity to use Marijuana without strict laws against it. DARE states that “Marijuana defies easy classification as a drug. It is described as a psychogenic (a cannabinoid), a narcotic (although it does not contain opium), and a hallucinogen (the government's designation)... Opinion is further divided on whether the drug is a stimulant or a depressant.” A psychogenic is when the drug helps with mental or emotional stress (medical/recreational). A narcotic is when the drug affects your behavior or mood and is used for nonmedical purposes
This subject is still quite controversial despite the inevitable result of legalization; not everyone is for it, and this means that people still need to see the positive influences marijuana can have - not just the negative consequences. At the beginning of the article, Keller begins by stating an opinion of his own, "You don't have to be a prohibitionist to recognize that pot, especially in adolescents and very heavy users, can seriously mess with your brain." (Keller, 2013). This statement evokes a strong reaction from his readers as it is biased and not an actual
The legalization of marijuana (cannabis) has been the topic of much debate over the past couple of years. Although these debates have been present for decades, the relevancy of the arguments have skyrocketed with recent changes to marijuana’s legalization status. For example, California passed a proposition to legalize medical marijuana in 1996. 22 states have done the same, with others seemingly close behind. More recently, pot pushers have legalized recreational marijuana in select states (Martin, Time).
Truth Behind the Smoke During the 1940’s marijuana was seen by the United States in a negative light and Americans believed it offered no positive impact to American society. Since this time America has slowly changed its view by legalizing marijuana for medicinal use in very few states. The full transition began, however, once the following states Washington, Colorado, California, and Oregon legalized the use of marijuana for medicinal and recreational use. The legalization of marijuana has caused the United States to see the positive effects through marijuana’s medical benefits, lower incarceration rate, and an influx of revenue for the government.
Everyday stereotypes give many people that mindset that marijuana is harmful and will affect your life negatively, but the reality of the situation is exactly the opposite. Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is a drug grown from the cannabis plant that affects the body and mind in many ways. The main active compounds, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), have many beneficial effects. Public stereotypes and negative, uneducated outlooks have given this drug a bad name throughout time. However, many people have started to overlooked these misconceptions and many states have legalized it for medicinal use.
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
The use of marijuana is still a drug used widely. In Aseltine, Gore, and Gordon (2000), it is discussed that the use of marijuana depends on the social and personal aspects of the
The use of marijuana in the United States has been widely discussed and debated throughout the years if it should be legalized. Some states, such as Colorado, have benefited tremendously through the act of legalizing marijuana, either through recreational or medical purposes of the drug. Some studies even show the dropping of crime rates, and drug affiliated gangs in the state of Colorado has considerably gone down. As a society, many young adults throughout the nation are taught through their parents and schools that those drugs are bad, and they are dangerous for their health and safety. Surprisingly, many scientists and other lab experts are opening up to the idea that marijuana can actually be used to offset and improve some symptoms, but
The mainstream media has long painted marijuana as a dangerous drug and a menace to society. It’s still largely considered the “gateway drug,” despite the fact that other substances, such as alcohol, have been thought to influence users’ decisions before marijuana enters the picture. Years of negative conversations in North America have made it difficult for generations to overcome former misconceptions. Old attitudes and stereotypes are hard to look past. Yet, this picture is inaccurately
Marijuana, or weed, is the dried leaves and female flowers of the hemp plant, used in cigarette form as a narcotic or hallucinogen. In basic terms, weed is a plant that people can use to get high by smoking or ingesting it. This subject has always been a big controversy in American because, even though one-third of Americans have tried marijuana before, it is still illegal in twenty-five out of the fifty states. William Bennett, America’s first “drug czar” (1989-1991), was a huge advocate from United States drug policy all on the grounds that “drug use is wrong” and since the moral argument is the most compelling that was the end of it. However, since morality is subjective in this instance, we’re going to be taking a closer look into this
The history of marijuana as well as the information and studies drawn and discussed in this essay show that marijuana legalization for medical and/or recreational purposes will not only positively impact society, but also change the society’s idea of marijuana use as a deviant act. Deviant behavior negatively impacts society, therefore the idea that marijuana use is a positive impact for society will, in turn, change the idea that marijuana use is an act/form of
Marijuana, also known as Cannabis, is derived from the Cannabis plant and is used commonly for either recreational or medical purposes. Marijuana is composed of chemicals such as tetrahydrocannabinol (HTC, and over eighty cannabinoids. Marijuana is acknowledged for providing smokers with a “high” feeling. Since the twentieth century, this illicit drug has been banned across the world. However, over the past few years studies have been conducted on marijuana and the results show that it can actually be helpful in many different areas of society.
What first comes to mind when hearing the word marijuana? Is it the red-eyed teenagers in the area who smoke this drug for the recreational purpose? Or is it the beneficial medical history associated with medical marijuana? The on-going issue of legalizing marijuana has consumed much of the nation’s attention for the positive and negatives it withholds. In the world’s history, many different countries have found marijuana to be very useful in aiding medical cases.
The sight of citizens getting arrested and put in jail for varied amounts of time over a little plant is common nowadays. Marijuana, as it stands now, is considered a Schedule 1 Drug, which is the harshest classification for a drug or narcotic. (DEA.gov) Drugs with this classification carry 10 years or more of jail time at minimum for those caught selling it illegally. Yet, the modern view of marijuana is of calm, happy, sedate individuals who do nothing with their time. The plant itself also has many medicinal and commercial properties that are beginning to be embraced.
The state cannot afford to risk our society to the dangers of increased marijuana use by implying a stance that it is not harmful. Legalizing medical marijuana is not advantageous to the government. It undermines law enforcement by forcing officers to distinguish medical users and recreational users. ‘’We say no to marijuana legalization, whether for medical or recreational use.” (Sotto, 2014)
Besides, what’s frightening is a concerning range of young generation from the age of among 12 to 17 years old, 6.7 percent are contemporary marijuana users (Drugfreeworld.org). Provided with such striking statistics, the rising use of marijuana have been a global issue, weighing only more pressure on global organizations and local governments. It’s important to realize that the incredible marijuana use globally have given birth to declarations and calls by some groups of people and civics to legalize the cannabis (marijuana) stressing the drug’s positive side, in fact a study by Gallup poll reveals that 58 percent of citizens in United States support the legalization of marijuana (jonathanturley.org). While on the other hand other groups of people totally oppose the legalization of the cannabis fearing the