Legalizing Marijuana

CJA301

MOD 1 Case

Step 8

Marijuana is a substance that has become very much a part of American culture. Nearly 60 million Americans have either used it occasionally or regularly. The use of marijuana hit mainstream America about thirty years ago and it has been accepted by a large segment of society ever since. Please note that I have never used illegal drugs in my life, some find this hard to believe, but I was to scared to and I must say the “say No to Drugs” program worked it was commercialized often and I remember McGruff the crime dog came to my high school. (Just wanted to add this) because I’m proud that I wasn’t a follower, Ok back to the subject.

The debate on whether this substance should be legalized or not remains a very hot topic today. Despite government efforts to isolate and eliminate its use, it is clear that the use of marijuana is still very popular. There is an obvious problem concerning marijuana today. Governments on all three levels local, state, and federal are trying desperately to find an appropriate policy involving marijuana.

National polls show that more than 70% of the American people, from both ends of the political spectrum, support controlled access to marijuana for medicinal purposes. Despite fierce opposition from the federal government, voters in California and Arizona passed ballot initiatives in the fall of 1996 favoring the legalization of medicinal marijuana. Since support for marijuana, at least as a medicinal remedy is so high, then why have only a few states taken steps to change their policy? I feel there are several reasons why marijuana remains illegal.

In my opinion it is a political issue kicked around by certain special interest groups. Some of these groups which, perceive marijuana as a threat to the home, tearing families apart and causing them to abandon traditional values. However these groups usually are not legitimate areas...