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Persuasive Essay On Legalizing Marijuana

1098 Words5 Pages

In an increasing number of U.S. sates marijuana (also known as cannabis) is becoming legal alongside other drugs such as tobacco and alcohol.1 Eight states now have legislation granting marijuana a legal status for recreational use, and twenty- eighth states have legislation legalizing medical marijuana.2 Additionally, corresponding to this legalization is a rise in positive public opinion on marijuana consumption.1 Currently in the U.S., among adults 18-29, 44% support legalization, with 23% in strong support and 21% that somewhat support legalization.3 Among the public debate on the legalization of marijuana are concerns about the medical applications of marijuana, economic concerns regarding the buying and selling of marijuana and the effects marijuana criminalization laws have had minority populations in the criminal …show more content…

has undergone many changes, both on the federal and state levels. For example in the 1800s and the early 1900s, U.S. physicians and pharmacists dispensed cannabis for various medical purposes4. Then in the 1970’s the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency defined cannabis as a “Schedule 1” substance, meaning there were no accepted medical use and a high risk of addiction4. “This law made medical and recreational cannabis use illegal.”4 Then in 1996 California became the first state to pass a law legalizing cannabis for recreational use. Since then 28 states have passed laws legalizing medical marijuana in some capacity. Additionally, since the 1970’s states have had various penalties for recreational marijuana use4. One thing that’s known is that laws criminalizing marijuana have been applied to low-level possession charges, which disproportionately affect Black people and other minorities4. In 2012 Colorado and Washington passed laws legalizing marijuana for recreational use among adults5. Which in turn set in motion the major public debate we have today on the pros and cons of legalizing

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