Sunday, 4 August 2019

SCHOLAR: LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA


                Marijuana has many uses besides being a drug, it is used for such things as hemp or even paper.  Before the illegalization of marijuana, it was a very large commodity with lots of potential.  Marijuana was illegalized then legalized throughout history.  In present day Canada it is now legal.  The sale of marijuana here in Canada needs to be approved by the government. 

                The illegalization of marijuana has caused unnecessary incarceration.  People were getting charged for possession and trafficking.  The reason marijuana was illegal in the first place is because people believed that it causes brain damage resulting from a study of monkeys.  They failed to see that the brain damage was caused by the method in which the drug was administered.

During the time it was illegal had a massive black market industry.  I believe the illegalization was the cause of the crime.  Through consensus however, it has now been more widely accepted and decriminalized.  People rallied behind the Trudeau government in their attempt to legalize the drug.  There were many strategic young voters in that election. 

The movement to legalize marijuana contrasted the use of tobacco which by the way was the highest cause of death.  Then alcohol the second.  The movement pointed out that deaths related to marijuana are nil.  Mind you, tobacco at that time in the 1990’s was receiving government subsidies. The movement to legalize this drug has made strides in convincing the public that marijuana is not as bad as it is portrayed to be. 

I feel through deterrence theory the government was successful, deterring the use of marijuana up till the 1990’s.  However, through the concept of consensus theory, people fought for its legalization which resulted in just that.  I think the danger in marijuana is really that it is a gate way to other more addictive drugs.  We should, therefore, be cautious.

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