In Support of the Legalization of Marijuana
In Support of the Legalization of Marijuana
I think that marijuana should be legal because it is no more harmful to you than cigarettes, alcohol, and caffeine, which are legal right now.
Marijuana, also known as pot, reefer, weed, bud, herb, ganja, grass, wacky tabacci, funky bhudda, green, indo, Mary Jane, hemp, kif, bones, etc. is a substance obtained from the dried leaves and flowering tops of the pistillate hemp plant. It is technically known as cannabis sativa and is a tall, widely cultivated Asian herb of the mulberry family.
Here are some statistics for you to ponder over:
ANNUAL AMERICAN DEATHS CAUSED BY DRUGS
TOBACCO 400,000
ALCOHOL 100,000
ALL LEGAL DRUGS 20,000
ALL ILLEGAL DRUGS 15,000
CAFFEINE 2,000
ASPIRIN 500
MARIJUANA 0
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Source: United States government
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Bureau of Mortality Statistics
I really find it funny that over 400,000 people have died from the use of tobacco products (be it smoking, or chewing), and over 100,000 people have died from drinking alcoholic beverages. Yet in 10,000 years of usage, no one has ever died from marijuana directly.
Like any substance, marijuana can be abused. The most widespread problem attributed to marijuana is frequent overuse, which can induce lethargic behavior, but does not cause serious health problems. Marijuana can cause short-term memory loss, but only while under the influence. Marijuana does not impair long-term memory. Marijuana does not lead to harder drugs, if you get addicted; you have an addictive personality, so it’s your fault. Marijuana does not cause brain damage, genetic damage, or damage the immune system. Unlike alcohol, marijuana does not kill brain cells or induce violent behavior.
Incessant long-term smoking of marijuana can cause bronchitis, but the chance of contracting bronchitis from casual marijuana smoking is small. Respiratory health hazards can be totally eliminated by consuming marijuana via non-smoking methods, such as: ingesting marijuana via baked foods, tincture, or through a vaporizer.
Marijuana was first harvested around 4000 B.C., George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both grew hemp, 5 years after the Marijuana Tax Stamp Act of 1937 was passed The U.S. Department of Agriculture released the film “Hemp for Victory” to encourage farmers to grow it for World War II.
How about this: One acre of Hemp can make as much paper as 4 acres of tree. The hemp plant can be used to make clothing and rope. Sterilized hemp seeds are found in birdseed. Marijuana can...