LRSA MIBC Intro
Legalization of Marijuana
Patricia Scrivens
Everest University

MIBC
Mr. Allen
October 7, 2014

LRSA MIBC: Legalization of Marijuana What is Marijuana? Marijuana is made from dried flowers and leaves of the cannabis plant. Cannabis is derived from the cannabis plant (cannabis sativa). It grows wild in many of the tropical and temperate areas of the world. It can be grown in almost any climate, and is increasingly cultivated by means of indoor hydroponic technology. What is tobacco? Tobacco is a green, leafy plant that is grown in warm climates. After it is picked, it is dried, ground up, and used in different ways. It can be smoked in a cigarette, pipe, or cigar. It can be chewed (called smokeless tobacco or chewing tobacco) or sniffed through the nose (called snuff). What is Alcohol? Alcohol is a drug. It is classed as a depressant, meaning that it slows down vital functions—resulting in slurred speech, unsteady movement, disturbed perceptions and an inability to react quickly. Which ones can cause overdose? Tobacco and Alcohol has a higher chance of overdose than marijuana. It is easy for kids to buy weed than cigarettes and alcohol because drug dealers don’t ask for identification. Now only two of the three are legalize. The two that are legalized are the main two killing individuals. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every six seconds a person dies from tobacco, every thirteen seconds a person dies from alcohol, none died from marijuana not even in the last ten thousand years. Also, tobacco can cause cancer, alcohol can cause liver problems, and marijuana can cause not a health issue but can help health issues unlike the other two. Marijuana does because the government because the government cannot tax it if it was to become legalize. The government is Marijuana a public health or is it a special interest? A lot of politicians hate the idea of legalizing marijuana but it is not bad as they make it sound. People believe that this drug is sinful when it is really helpful. Where did the idea come from that Marijuana is bad? Where is the research to prove it is bad or did we as people just accept the law and did not think about it? Before the 1930s there was no federal law against marijuana. It became an issue when President Hoover commissioned a man named Henry J Anslinger as head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. He was the guy to demonize marijuana. Henry teamed up with members of congress saying every puff destroy your brain making you crazy insane prone to murder and rape. Also, that marijuana makes white woman want to get pregnant by Negros and immigrant Mexicans. The law illegal marijuana is based off no research or investigation but based off lies and greed. Now there is research proven that marijuana can help with health problems. The issue is if it get legalized the government cannot tax it. So, what is really the issue with legalizing Marijuana when it can save lives and help people live longer with certain health issues? Money and Taxes is more important to the government than the people who make it up the United States population. Medical Test and evidence show it is proven to cure and relief but not limited too; asthma, glaucoma, tumors, multiple sclerosis, and etc. according to Michigan Medical Marijuana Association (MMMA). More than fifteen million Americans are affected by asthma. Smoking marijuana would be beneficial for eighty percent of them. "Taking a hit of marijuana has been known to stop a full blown asthma attack." (MMMA) Fourteen percent of all blindness in America is from glaucoma, a progressive loss of vision. Cannabis smoking would benefit ninety percent of our 2.5 million glaucoma victims, and is two to three times as effective as any current medicines for reducing ocular pressure! Cannabis use has no toxic side effects to the liver and kidneys; nor is there any danger of the occasional sudden