The Gateway Theory Essay

Pros and Cons of Marijuana Legalization Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit substance in the United States. More than half of American adults have tried using marijuana at least once in their life. You may have read or heard stories on how marijuana use was mostly linked to people who were very vocal with their opinions. Seeing their favorite performers during a live concert may have been the start of the spreading of this illegal drug which has caused so many lives. When experts found out about the ill effects of marijuana, people who were found to be using them were put behind bars.

With few policy changes since the war on drugs began, the results are, in 2000 the U.S. surpassed Russia as the leader of having the most individuals incarcerated. Michigan, a relatively small state, in regard to population, has more individuals incarcerated than the country of France, and the numbers get worse in the larger states like California. From 1980 to 2000 the “number of individuals incarcerated increased 300%, with the majority being African Americans” (Sirin 7). The last few years have seen “some

Both sides of this controversial issue have support from a variety aspects, including statistics, personal opinions and values, as well as example situations. This is where the topic of drug testing comes to a test of it’s

Throughout its history, America has maintained the persistent problem of punishing perpetrators of victimless crimes. One of the most substantial and controversial subjects pertaining to this issue is the matter of illicit drugs and their legalization. In recent years, numerous reforms and revisions have been made to previous drug laws, most often in support of legalizing the possession and use of marijuana. Though these changes are necessary, they should be expanded to protect the users of all currently illegal drugs. Prohibition infringes upon the civil liberties of those who are citizens of the United States, and is a direct threat to the values and standards this nation was founded upon.

What is marijuana?Marijuana is currently illegal in all states except nine, should it be legalized? marijuana among other names, is a psychoactive drug from the Cannabis plant intended for medical or recreational use. The history of marijuana goes back for thousands of years. It was only made illegal in many countries during the 20th century.

Drug Addiction itself affects almost every family in the United States almost Drug Addiction is it indeed a disease or a choice? Many state authority figures say it's a choice, not a condition much of science says it's a choice disease, both in a sense are correct, this paper will outline both aspects and possibly give new insight to you, the reader. However, it may back up what the reader believes to be right in the first place. The history of drug use is almost as old as humankind itself. However, the drug abuse only qualifies as an issue because of the problem of control.

The use of drugs and substances gradually increased over the fast five decades. During 1920s in Prohibition Era many children and adolescents used marijuana , just like heroin usage in1950s in New York and 1990 crack epidemic . These serious concerns caught the attention people who are involved in their children’s live and education. They were trying to understand the reasons of substance abuse and ways that it could be more effectively prevented. Researchers and scientists came up with three combinations of biological , psychological and sociological theories of why they might think adolescents use drugs and alcohol.

Over the years the plant has been altered to have a higher percentage of THC, which has stronger and faster effects than how it used to be in the 1900’s. There have also been ways to replicate the drugs where the effects are dangerous and sometimes fatal. The effects of synthetic marijuana are “vomiting, chest pain, increased heart rate, blackouts headaches, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and psychosis” (Rahn, 2014). The reason many individuals turn to synthetic marijuana is because real “marijuana is illegal in their state and it does not turn up on

Statistics by United Nations (UN) show that 158.8 million people or about 3.8% of the world population use marijuana. However, drugs like cannabis are known to be harmful. It is addicting, causes mood swings, and gives a mental picture of an unsafe neighborhood or city. Although with these negative effects, states such as Colorado and Washington are starting to legalize cannabis for recreational use. Why?

Again with the help of the D.E.A they were able to bring them down. Now that we went back in time let 's look how drug tracking affects life today. These two examples illustrate the international nature of the drug trade, and how countries have been able to cooperate with each other to defeat them, drug trafficking remains a problem today. Afghanistan is currently the primary producer of the drug. After regularly producing 70 percent of the world 's opium which this is a problem because it can affect many people life throughout the world as its get distributie due to drug trafficking.

Topics discussed also include what social or economic effects that decriminalization of marijuana has had on the United States society. The heated-debate situation of marijuana today mainly results from the discrepancy between federal laws and state laws. By analyzing different laws, we can gain an insight into why marijuana is legal today in most states. Also by looking at the social and economic consequences of marijuana legalization in certain states, we can better understand why other states still consider marijuana illegal. This article provides a different and unique angle to explore the research topic by comparing legislative difference among laws.

In the book Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, the people of London in this future dystopian society take a pill called a soma that calms your nerves and helps your mind deal with stressful situations. Anytime they get worried at all or just feel down they take soma. (Huxley, 1998) Society should be against mood enhancing drugs because it alters their state of mind and effects the natural way of dealing with emotional situations. There are drugs that people take to alter their mood; some in a good way others may be bad.

Lost Boundaries The movie Lost Boundaries narrates a true story of an African- American doctor, Scott Mason Carter, who fails to acquire an internship at a local black hospital. The hospital prefers only black doctors, but Scott possesses such light skin that he cannot pass as a “black” man. Mr. Mitchell, Scott’s father-in-law, tells Scott that “[Losing that hospital job was the best thing that could have happened to [Carter].” Mr. Mitchell insists that Carter and Marcia attempt to “pass” as a white family because white people tend to find successful jobs more easily.

In the “Marijuana: A Continuing Concern for Pediatricians” article the author points out the fact that marijuana is in fact “an addictive, mind-altering drug capable of inducing dependency” (Marijuana: A Continuing Concern). After some research this statement has been clearly supported. According to the author of “Marijuana: Breaking Down the Buzz” being under the influence of the drug has led to very poor decisions. Some of the poor decisions teenagers make while being under the influence include; people not completing high school, having failing grades if they are still in school, and doing reckless things while behind the wheel of a vehicle.