Kaila Trawitzki

The Blunt Truth: Legalizing Marijuana

Introduction• “The legalization of marijuana is not a

dangerous experiment – the prohibition is the experiment, and it has failed dramatically, with millions of victims all around the world.” ― Sebastian Marincolo

• A nation built on the tenants of freedom• Prohibition: national embarrassment • Undermining free will• Numerous medical, social, economic

benefits

Why Marijuana?

»Hemp strength/texture »Hypoallergenic, and safer

than other legal drugs»Potent for numerous

symptoms/diseases»Relaxes user»Stimulates appetite»Reduced crime rates »Economic stimulus

Medical Uses• Chemotherapy Relief

• Combats depression/anxiety– Note:may cause anxiety in small percentages

of users• Potential cancer fighting properties

– “THC and other cannabinoid receptor agonists inhibit tumor growth in animal models of

cancer”

Torres, Sofia. "A Combined Preclinical Therapy of Cannabinoids and Temozolomide against Glioma." Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. American Association for Cancer Research, Jan. 2011. Web. 30 Nov. 2014

Specific Diseases that Marijuana has been proved to

help:• Cancer*• Seizures• Migraines• Glaucoma*• Multiple Sclerosis• Tourette’s/OCD

Henderson, Charles. "Council Committee Urges Easing on Marijuana Laws". AIDS Weekly, 21 February 1994:p.6.

Organized Crime

Crime (cont.)

• Account for over half of all drug arrests in the United States (88% were just for posession)

• Racial bias in marijuana arrests• First and Tenth amendment rights

"Marijuana Arrests by the Numbers." Marijuana Law Reform. American Civil Liberties Union, n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2014.

Economic Impact

• Colorado- Nearly $70 million in new taxes

• 25% tax on pot sales WA/CO

• Govt. spends billions annually on marijuana enforcement

Goldberg, Raymond. Taking Sides; Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Drugs and Society. New York: The Dushkin Publishing Group, Inc., 1993