Justin Mitchell Dr. Gingo English 1301 P12 07 May 2014 Marijuana in American Pop-Culture Recreational marijuana use in America is nothing new, but recent legalization movements for marijuana display a growing trend that has become a highly dominant part of American pop culture. From the beginning of the 1978 movie series Cheech & Chong, to newer hits like Pineapple Express and Harold and Kumar, marijuana is glamorized. Recreational marijuana use has been in popular culture for decades, but now it has gained such traction that some states have even begun to legalize it. Pop culture in American society presents a positive image of marijuana because pop culture itself is a reflection of the popular American view. Americans are becoming more accustomed to marijuana usage due to the increasing frequency of displays in pop culture, a growing availability, and it being a serious political issue.
The debate to legalize marijuana in the United States of America has been fought over nonstop since the existence of the drug and its affects, even though marijuana has been tested and proven to provide a very positive impact on the American society. Legalizing marijuana would help treat ill citizens, reduce the numbers in our prisons, and create a steadier economy by increasing
Hongyao Zhang Say No to Proposition 19 Introduction Proposition 19, the legalization of marijuana, is a hot topic these days. Proposition 19 is super important because if it is passed, it will have huge impacts on both society and government of California. So what exactly is Proposition 19? Proposition 19 is a California ballot proposition which was on the November 2, 2010. Proposition 19 allows people 21 years old or older to posses, cultivate, or transport marijuana for personal use.
Federal Legalization of Marijuana Marijuana, weed, cannabis, hemp, or grass, it is called by many names and has gotten a bad rap in the past few decades, but it should be federally legalized. We have been encouraged to believe it is a “gateway” drug and that it may lead to addiction and various health issues. Yet there are many therapeutic benefits as well as practical applications. The consumption of marijuana is less dangerous than alcohol and smoking cigarettes. There is an excessive amount of money spent every year on its regulation, criminalization and prohibition.
Persuasive Speech Outline: Legalize Industrial Hemp & Marijuana Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience about that both industrial hemp and marijuana should be legalized. Claim: We could improve our economy and our environment by legalizing industrial hemp and reduce the load on our prison system by legalizing marijuana. Legalize Industrial Hemp & Marijuana I. Did you know hemp plants convert 4 times more CO2 than trees? (“Industrial Hemp Facts,” 2014) A. Hemp is an amazingly versatile plant that makes many products.
Both sides are fighting to be right and win. Whether drugs are legalized or stay illegal one or both sides of the argument will be unhappy, unless they come to a compromise. The recent legalization of medical marijuana in some states could be looked at as a compromise. With the compromise, marijuana is legal with the certain prescription, but still is illegal and has repercussions if used for the wrong reason. Another compromise is the decriminalization of marijuana; if someone is to be in possession of less than one ounce then it is just a misdemeanor.
Running Head: The Benefit of Legalizing Marijuana Argumentative Analysis The Benefit of Legalizing Marijuana Lad AzizB City University BSC403 Summer Quarter 2012 Professor: J- Lum September 2, 2012 The Benefit of Legalizing Marijuana In our challenging world there are many laws that have been approved based on wrong perceptions and incorrect assumptions. Illegalization of Marijuana is one of those cases. Marijuana has been made illegal for some incorrect reasons, based on peoples’ false opinion that it is a highly addictive drug, with no useful purposes. In fact, the marijuana plant has been used productively since at least the 5th century BC. Chinese people used hemp to make clothes, shoes, rope, and an early form of paper.
If people took action and the government legalized it today, I’m sure we would see progress. People suffering from manic depression to Multiple Sclerosis would be able to experience relief. The government could make billions of dollars off of the taxes it could impose on its sale, and its implementation into the industrial world would create thousands of new jobs for the economy. Also, because of its role making in paper making, the rain forests of South Africa can be saved from their current fate of extinction. No recorded deaths have been recorded as a result of marijuana use, it is not physically addictive like alcohol or tobacco, and doctors will agree it is safer to use than most substances.
The American people overwhelmingly support the medical use of marijuana and Eighteen States have medical marijuana laws and several more are currently working on medical marijuana legislation. Clearly, the light has been seen by the sick people of America because 2 states have completely legalized it for recreational use just like alcohol. Obviously there will be driving laws and public intoxication laws as there should be. Being stoned in public isn’t good for a person’s image anyway. Once the Judges, Governors, senators and every other political officials have come to an agreement on the controversy, I feel America will become a much healthier, smellier, safer place.
Not all drugs that exist today existed thousands of years ago, being that some drugs are natural and others are chemically engineered. People have been using drugs for most of human history (Kallen 5). During the time period of 8000 BCE through 600 CE, marijuana was used in the regions of China and India being that it was natural and easily found. Marijuana was first cultivated six thousand years ago (Kallen 5). Through time the use of marijuana for medical purposes spread and gave societies healing powers that they did not have before.