DECRIMINALIZING MARIJUANAZac Williams

WHAT IS MARIJUANA?

Marijuana is a flower grown off the hemp plant.

The hemp plant itself can be used in many ways like making clothing and fabric.

Marijuana is the green and sticky bi-product of the hemp plant.

Marijuana’s sole purpose is for human consumption.

FACTS ABOUT MARIJUANA

Marijuana is a milder mood alternate than alcohol and is less harmful on the body than cigarettes.

Cannabis use does not seem to increase aggressiveness or anti-social behavior like alcohol.

WHAT IS ITS PLACE IN THE MEDICAL FIELD?

Medical marijuana is mainly used for AIDS, cancer, and multiple scleroses patients.

It reliefs pain and nausea, increases appetite and reduces muscle spasms.

Must have a prescription for medical marijuana with current policies.

HOW MANY DEATHS ARE THERE PER YEAR BECAUSE OF MARIJUANA?

There are zero reported deaths of anyone dying directly because of marijuana.

WHY WOULD WE DECRIMINALIZE IT?

To save money and resources going toward the criminalization of marijuana.

Reduce crime rates because of the black market for marijuana.

Reduce the amount of occupants in crowded prisons because of marijuana.

HEALTH EFFECTS

Marijuana has been proven to be non-cancerous in all cases

After smoking marijuana the brain cells are stimulated to intake more information not, to what most people think, destroys the brain cells and tissue.

FIRST ARREST

October 2, 1937 is the day the first Marijuana Tax Stamp was effective. (Basically laws against selling or possessing marijuana)

The first person to be arrested for possessing marijuana is Samuel R. Caldwell, 58.

He was charged with possession of 2 joints. He also goes down in the books as the first

marijuana dealer to be arrested. Caldwell was sentenced to four years of hard labor

in Leavenworth Penitentiary, plus a $1,000 fine. Baca received 18 months incarceration.

WHY DID PROHIBITION START?

Prohibition started from a lot of doctors making statements about marijuana.

I common term used was “reefer madness” Doctors made people believe if you smoked

marijuana you would become insane. Doctors also made false statements by saying

marijuana gave you cancer. With no research to back it up.

We know today that all of these statements are false and today we have research that proves so.

FEDERAL LAW

Although in some states marijuana is legal for recreational use and medical use federal law still says that it is illegal to possess, intake, or sell marijuana. Meaning if you are taken to federal court in a marijuana legal state, you will still be found guilty under federal law.

WORKS CITED

• "Marijuana." Current Issues: Macmillan Social Science Library. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 8 Feb. 2013.

• Armentano, Paul. "The Harmful Effects of Marijuana Are Minimal." The 2005 NORML Truth Report: Your Government Is Lying To You (Again) About Marijuana. Washington, DC: The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), 2005. Rpt. in Gateway Drugs. Ed. Noël Merino. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 8 Feb. 2013.

• King, Tim. "Marijuana Is Not Dangerous to Most Teens." Teen Drug Abuse. David E. Nelson. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2011. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Study Shows Surprisingly Few Negative Impacts on Kids Who Use Marijuana." Salem-News.com. 2007. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 8 Feb. 2013.

• McCarberg, Bill. "Marijuana Can Help in the Treatment of Pain." Marijuana. Ed. Noah Berlatsky. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Marijuana and Pain Management." National Pain Foundation, 2012. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 8 Feb. 2013.

Young, Cathy. "Common Sense Is Needed in Marijuana Policy." Marijuana. Ed. Mary E. Williams. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2003. At Issue. Rpt. from "The Medical Pot Hysteria." boston.com. 2005. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 8 Feb. 2013

"NORML.org - Working to Reform Marijuana Laws." Web. 14 Feb. 2013. "Google Images." Google. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2013.