Illegal drug use is a major problem in the world today. Million of dollars are spent ever year to prevent the trafficking and distribution of these drugs. Virtually all Drugs is smuggled into the United States concealed in false compartments, fuel tanks, seats, tires of private and commercial vehicles, pickup trucks, vans, mobile homes, and horse trailers. Large shipments usually are smuggled in tractor-trailer trucks in false compartments and among legitimate bulk shipments, such as agricultural products. The government has devised ways to cut down on drugs. Yet the drug crisis is greater today then ever.
Marijuana is one the most widely used illegal drug. Over the past thirty year the government has demonized Marijuana. In this paper my intent is it to illustrate the pros and cons of Marijuana use, as well as to prove that marijuana should be legalized, regulated, and taxed just like cigarettes. Marijuana, also spelled Marihuana comes from the Indian , cannabis sativa. It is a crude tobacco like substance produced by drying the leaves and flowery top of the cannabis plant.
It is put into pipes or formed into cigarettes (reefers or joints) for smoking. Recently, it has appeared in cigars called blunts. Lester Grinspoon writes, ‘The drug is a mild hallucinogen meaning that it distorts sensory perceptions. Marijuana is known by a variety of names including pot, tea, grass and weed (112) ‘. Marijuana can also be added to foods and beverages.
The intoxication part of the plant lies mostly in its strong-smelling, sticky, golden resin. Gabriel Nashas wrote, ‘The hemp flowers, especially those of the female plant, give this smell off.’ (Gin spoons 214). Many users describe two phases of marijuana effect as initial stimulation, giddiness, and euphoria, followed by sedation and pleasant tranquility. Mood changes can often accompany altered perceptions of time and space of one’s bodily dimension.
‘The hemp plant can be found growing as a weed or as a cultivated plant throughout the world, in many soils and climates, with the more potent varieties produced in dry, hot, wasteland’ (lord 35). Marijuana varies in potency, depending on where and how it is grown and prepared for use or stored. In the book uses of Marijuana it Solomon Snyder states: Active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is present in all part of both male and female plants but is most concentrated in the resin (the flowering tops of the female). The THC was first identified in the mid-1960.
Its chemical structure is complex and unique making it unlike that of any other psychoactive drug. There are also four hundred other chemicals in the marijuana plant besides THC, but they do not cause the same effect. This is the main reason marijuana is by far, the most frequently used illegal drug… (186-187) Marijuana cultivation in the United States can trace its lineage some 400 years. For most of our nation’s history, farmers grew marijuana, then know exclusively as hemp, for its fiber content. ‘Colonialists planted the first American hemp crop in 1611 near Jamestown Virginia’ (Snyder 241).
Soon after King James I of Britain ordered settlers to engage in a wide scale farming of the plant. Most of the sails and ropes on colonial ships were made from hemp, as were many of the colonists ‘bible, clothing and maps.’ According to Jess Lord, ‘George Washington and Thomas Jefferson cultivated marijuana and advocated a hemp-based economy’ (89). Some colonies even made hemp cultivation compulsory, calling its production necessary for the ‘wealth and protection of the country.’ Marijuana cultivation continued as an agricultural staple in America through the turn of the 20 th century. Marijuana first earned recognition as an intoxicant in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Recreational use of the drug became associated primarily with ‘Mexican immigrant worker and the African-American jazz musician community,’ says Bernard (Lail 256) ‘. During this time, Marijuana cultivation in the United States can trace its lineage some 400 years.
according to Barbara Rudolph (32). In 1930’s ‘the federal government founded the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FEN), headed by Commissioner Harry Anslinger’ (Lail 69). The group launched a misinformation campaign against the drug and enrolled the services of Hollywood and several tabloid newspapers. Headlines across the nation began publicizing alleged reports of marijuana induced incidence and violent criminals. Exaggerated account of violent crimes committed by immigrant reportedly intoxicated by marijuana became popularized once the influence of the drugs, know no fear and lost all inhibitions. For example, a news bulletin issued by the FUN in the mid 1930’s alleged that a user of marijuana ‘becomes a friend with savage or ‘cave man’ tendencies.
His sex desires are aroused and some f the most horrible crimes result. ‘He hears light and sees sound. To get away from it, he suddenly becomes violent and may kill’ (Marijuana prohibition in the 90’s). Similar reports swept the country. A widely publicized issue of the Journal of that marijuana user is capable of ‘great feats of strength and endurance, during which no fatigue is felt.
Sexual desires are stimulated and may lead to unnatural acts, such as indecent exposure and rape. Solomon Snyder writes, ‘The use of marijuana ends in the destruction of brain tissues and nerve centers, and does irreparable damage (77). If continued, he inevitable results in insanity, which those familiar with it describe it as incurable, and, without exception ending in death. A Washington time’s editorial published shortly before congress held its first hearing on issue argued.
‘The fatal marijuana cigarette must be recognized as a deadly drug and American children must be protected against,’ says Carlton Turner’ (49). This steady stream of propaganda influenced ’27 states to pass laws against Marijuana in the years leading up to federal prohibition for the passage of’ Marijuana tax act in 1937′ (Lord 74). Rep. Robert L. Dough ton of North Carolina introduced the Act in congress on April 19, 1937 to criminalize the recreational use of marijuana through prohibitive taxation. ‘The bill was the brainchild of commissioner Anslinger who later testified before congress in support of the bill’ (Turner 60).
There were only two congressional hearings, totaling one hour of testimony. Art Linkletter maintains: That ‘Federal witness Harry Anslinger testified before the House Ways and Means Committee ‘this drug is entirely the monster-Hyde, the harmful effect of which cannot be measured. Assistant General Counsel from the Department of the Treasury, Clinton Hester, who affirmed that the drugs eventual effect on the user ‘is deadly’, joined him (92). These statements summarized the federal government’s official position and served as the initial justification for criminalizing marijuana smoking. Over the years, people began to do there on personal research hemp and marijuana. The General population began to change the attuned towards Marijuana In 1998 ‘Olympic Officials decided to give snowboarder Ross Rebagliati his gold medal back, it shows the changing attitude towards marijuana’ (a new attitude- on a old drug NP).
It was a minor scandal involving a minor sport, but it revealed the world’s shifting relationship with its favorite illicit drug, Marijuana. A decade ago, Rebagliati would have been ostracized regardless of whether cannabis was on the list of his sports banned substance. What’s changed today is that our attitudes towards illegal drugs are becoming more sophisticated and undiscriminating. ‘After thirty years of research into the harmful effects of cannabis, there can be no hidden dangers left to discover’ (Nashas 122). We know that it is plain nonsense to regard cannabis as a performance-enhancing drug, just as it is a myth to think the substance rots the brain or leads inexorably to harder substances.
The issue of cannabis legalization has been debated ever since the substance was made illegal on April 14, 1930. Reformers still press legislation today to make the psychoactive plant available to medical patients as well as the general adult population. On of the more prominent groups that lobbies for the legalization of marijuana is NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws). Most marijuana smokers are other wise law abiding citizens. Responsible marijuana use is inoffensive. The probation on marijuana is a costly useless weight of taxpayer dollars, that should have been altered year ago.
Solomon Snyder gives some interesting use for hemp: Hemp possesses many virtues in regards to industrial usage. Contrary to popular belief, hemp fiber is not limited strictly to rough fabrics such as burlap. The fiber of the hemp plant can produce a wide range of textiles, from the consistency of fine linen to that of heavy sailcloth. Hemp fiber is softer than cotton, warmer than cotton, more water absorbent than cotton, possesses three times the tensile strength of cotton, and requires virtually no pesticides… (301) Roughly half of all the pesticides used in the U. S.
are used on cotton. Also, in the book Marihuana Reconsidered Lester Grinspoon writes, ‘hemp cultivation is not at all as detrimental to the soil as is cotton production. Hemp fiber is great for paper production- the first two copies of the Declaration of Independence and the Gutenberg Bible were both printed on hemp paper’ (54). Additionally, production of hemp for paper requires only one-fourth of the amount of land required of production of timber for the same use (i. e. one acre of hemp will produce the same amount of paper as four acres of timber), plus there is not as heavy a reliance upon chemicals to prepare the fibers for paper production as is the case with wood based paper.
The seeds, which can be produced in abundance, possess a high nutritional value, and if pressed for oil, that oil is of great value in the production of all kinds of paints and varnishes, which could lessen our reliance upon petroleum products in this area also. ‘The cellulose left over from separation of the fiber from the stalks can also be used in the production of card-board, as well as in the manufacture of several types of bio plastics (‘a new attitude on a old drug’ NP). There are several other useful products, which can be made from this plant, and on these grounds, alone it’s not wise to continue its prohibition. Hemp plants happen to possess several alkaloids, which produce interesting effects in people who ingest them in some fashion (Turner 152). To put it another way, people can get high from the plant. The hemp plant it no more dangerous then the coffee bean.
The lowly coffee bean, ever so trendy nowadays thanks to our so expeditious society. Thursday April, 23 1993 ‘Saturday Night Live’ a show on NBC played a site that are highly addictive derivative of a plant, just like the flower bud of hemp the coffee bean. The coffee bean possesses some active ingredients, which make people happy, just like the hemp bud. Yet, no one seems to have a problem with coffee. Another thing to consider is the fact that alkaloids also happen to be of significant therapeutic value for a great number of people. Cannabis relieves intra-ocular pressure, thereby being useful for those suffering from glaucoma.
‘ The Usage has been shown to be of significant value in reducing the extreme nausea resulting from chemotherapy, greatly assisting those who suffer from cancer and AIDS in their fight for life’ (Nashas 111). There is a feeling of extreme hunger called the ‘munchies’ associated with cannabis use, but that effect ‘coupled with the nausea relief, this is done by inducing appetite and reducing nausea so that they can keep some food down’ (Lail 88). This has been of great asset in healing what has come to be known as ‘AIDS wasting- syndrome. Though the name of this ailment is somewhat of a misnomer since cancer patients also frequently suffer from these same symptoms, also finding relief in the use of hemp’ (Grinspoon 261). The medical use of cannabis is not limited to these areas only, it has been found to relieve the pain and ‘alleviate the spasms associated with several forms of multiple sclerosis, post-polio syndrome, epilepsy, and certain types of spinal and cranial injuries’ (Lord 99). ‘Certain of the alkaloids also act as a bronchial-dilator, thereby helping those suffering from asthma’ (Snyder 73).
Most people get red eyes when they smoke hemp, which is a sign of vascular dilation that indicates ‘cannabis might also be of use in the relief of migraine headaches, which there is growing anecdotal evidence’ (Lair). All of this points to the fact that there is significant medical promise in the hemp plant. More research is required, but the current state of prohibition makes such research extremely difficult, if not impossible, to conduct. Because drug trafficking and abuse is one of the most serious organized crime problems in America today, it must be addressed at the highest levels of government. The National Drug Enforcement Policy Board, under the direction of the Attorney General, should continue to be responsible for this country’s drug policy: The mandate of the Board should be interpreted, or expanded if necessary, to require the Board to coordinate carefully efforts to reduce both drug demand and supply to achieve this ultimate goal. The Board should evaluate all programs undertaken pursuant to the national drug strategy in terms of their contribution to this goal.
In recognition of the scope of the problem of international drug trafficking and the extended national effort needed to combat it. The Attorney General, as ‘Chairman of the National Drug Enforcement Policy Board, should depart from the current formulation of a National Strategy on an annual basis’ (Lail 43)… Such a program should include an appropriate role for State and local agencies as a complement to Federal efforts. State and local police agencies should be trained and equipped to perform such a role: The cost of this Nation’s anti-drug efforts can be subsidized to a great extent by the seizure and forfeiture of drug traffickers’ assets. That portion of the Federal government’s asset forfeiture fund derived from drug cases should be devoted exclusively to anti-drug programs. Such a funding mechanism should be made permanent through law, and the current ceiling of $10 million should be eliminated.
In the annual congressional appropriations process, these funds should be allocated to participating agencies according to congressional findings; just as if the funds were appropriated (Nashas 301)… In summary Marijuana is a useful and misunderstood substance. If used with moderation it can be a helpful assistance to the economy. Marijuana was legal for many years and we didn’t have a big drug problem like today. Marijuana laws, the threat of jail and fines will not stop drug use. All they do is make it harder to help people.
And just as alcohol prohibition created organized crime in the 20’s, today’s drug laws keep organized crime alive with all the violence and corruption that goes along with it. Before drugs were illegal, Americans handled them with few problems. Let’s respect the right of people to control their own bodies. Decriminalize drugs, help those who need it, and let the police spend their time protecting us from real crime.
We as a society need to have a more open mind on this herbal substance Bibliography Grinspoon Lester. Marihuana Reconsidered. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1971. Lail, Bernard M. Marijuana, Friend or foe. Nashville: South Publishing Association, 1979.
Linkletter, Art. My Child an Drugs? . Ohio: Standard Publishing, 1981. Lord, Jess R. Marijuana and personality Change. Lexington: Health Lexington Press, 1972 Nashas, Gabriel G.
Keeping off the Grass. New York: Rader’s Digest Press, 1971 Rudolph, Barbara.’ Ganja.’ Time 7 July 1986: 46-47 Snyder, Solomon H. Uses of Marijuana. New York: Oxford University press, 1971 Turner, Carlton. Marijuana. New York: Academic Press 1973.
NA ‘Marijuana prohibition in the 90’s’. Jan. 1997 State. gov / www . /global / narcotics law / index .
html NA, ‘A new attitude on old drug’ May. 2000: web.