argumentative essay over marijuana

Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Marijuana — Marijuana Argumentative Outline

Marijuana Argumentative Outline

Categories: Marijuana

About this sample

Words: 487 |

Published: Mar 13, 2024

Words: 487 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Prof Ernest (PhD)

Verified writer

Expert in: Nursing & Health

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 977 words

3 pages / 1303 words

2 pages / 1007 words

3 pages / 1162 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Marijuana

Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant. The plant contains the mind-altering chemical THC and other similar compounds. Extracts can also be made from the [...]

Introduction Humans have been using cannabis for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, yet the stigma surrounding it persists. Medical marijuana, also known as medical cannabis, has gained significant attention in recent [...]

Marijuana has a long and complex history of use, both for medicinal and recreational purposes. Despite its widespread use, marijuana remains a controversial topic due to its legal status and the potential medical and social [...]

The debate over the legalization of weed is a contentious and multifaceted issue, with implications for medicine, economics, ethics, and society. In this essay on whether weed should be legalized, we will explore the potential [...]

Cannabis is a medication that is continually being discussed everywhere throughout the media. There is steady discussion on whether it ought to be legitimized or not. Likewise, banter on if it somehow happened to be authorized, [...]

“There are two sides to every story, and the truth usually lies somewhere in the middle.” – Jean Gati There is the “War on Drugs” on one side and Marijuana Legalization as a response to the failures of this war. The binge of [...]

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

Instructions Followed To The Letter
Deadlines Met At Every Stage
Unique And Plagiarism Free

Argumentative Essay On Marijuana Legalization

Published by gudwriter on May 27, 2018 May 27, 2018

Most students have serious problems writing a quality essay as they lack the necessary experience. If you need help writing an essay on legalization of marijuana, the perfect solution is to buy thesis proposal from experts online.

Elevate Your Writing with Our Free Writing Tools!

Did you know that we provide a free essay and speech generator, plagiarism checker, summarizer, paraphraser, and other writing tools for free?

Why Marijuana Should be Legalized Argumentative Essay Outline

Introduction.

Thesis: Marijuana should be legalized as it is more beneficial that it may be detrimental to society.

Paragraph 1:

Marijuana has not caused turmoil in some of the countries where it has been legalized.

Marijuana does not increase violent, and property crimes as many suggest.
Studies reveal that in Colorado, violent crimes have declined following the legalization of marijuana.

Paragraph 2:

Prohibiting use of marijuana does not limit its consumption.

In spite of the many laws prohibiting the use of marijuana, it is one of the most highly abused drugs.
58% of young people from all over the world use marijuana.
It has not been attributed to any health complications.

Paragraph 3:

Legalization of marijuana would help state governments save taxpayers money.

Governments spend lots of funds on law enforcement agencies that uphold laws restricting the use of marijuana.
They also spend vast sums of money on sustaining arrested dealers and consumers in prison.
Legalizing marijuana would result in saving vast sums of money.

Paragraph 4:

Marijuana is less noxious than other legal substances.

Marijuana has less health side effects than other legal substances such as alcohol and tobacco.
Alcohol is 114 times more destructive than marijuana.

Paragraph 5:

Marijuana has been proven to have medical benefits.

Marijuana helps stop seizures in epileptic patients.
It helps stop nausea in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy .

Paragraph 6:

Marijuana has been proven to be a stress reliever.

Marijuana relieves stress and depression in their users by causing excitement.
Its use reduces violence and deaths related to stress and depression.

Conclusion.

There are many misconceptions about marijuana existent in the modern world. People have continued to ignore health benefits linked to this substance citing their unproven beliefs. Owing to its ability to stop seizures, nausea, and stress in individuals governments should highly consider marijuana legalization. Its legalization will also help state governments reduce expenses that result from maintaining suspects convicted of marijuana possession and consumption.

Why Marijuana Should be Legalized Argumentative Essay

The argument that marijuana use should be made legal has gained momentum both in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world in recent years. This has seen the drug being legalized in some states in the U.S. such that by 2013, twenty states had legalized medical marijuana. As of the same year, Colorado and Washington had legalized recreational marijuana. The arguments behind the push for legalization majorly revolve around the idea that the drug has medicinal effects. However, there are also arguments that there are serious health effects associated with the drug and this has only further fueled the already raging debate. This paper argues that marijuana should be legalized as it is more beneficial that it may be detrimental to society.

Marijuana has not caused any notable negative effects in countries where it has been legalized. There is a general belief that marijuana consumers are violent. However, no authentic research can prove these assertions. As already seen, some states in the United States have legalized both medicinal and recreational marijuana. In spite of this, no cases of marijuana-related violence have been recorded so far in such states (Markol, 2018). Reports reveal that the rate of violence and property crimes have decreased in Colorado following the legalization of the drug. If marijuana does not increase violent crimes, there is no reason as to why it should not be legalized.

It is also noteworthy that prohibiting marijuana use does not limit its consumption. Less than 10% of countries in the world prevent the use of marijuana, but according to research, 58% of young people in most of these countries are marijuana users (Head, 2016). General reports reveal that marijuana is one of most commonly abused drug in the world. It is also readily available in most states as it is a naturally growing plant (Head, 2016). In spite of its continued use, there are few cases, if any, of marijuana-related health complications that have been reported in any of these countries (Head, 2016). Therefore, if the illegality of marijuana does not limit its consumption, then state governments should consider its legalization.

Legalization of marijuana would further help state governments save taxpayers’ money. It is widely known that in countries where marijuana is illegal, authorities are stringent and will arrest any individual found in possession of the drug (Sanger, 2017). However, as earlier mentioned, laws prohibiting the use of the drug do not prevent its consumption, and this means that many people are arrested and prosecuted for possessing it (Sanger, 2017). State governments therefore use a lot of funds to support law enforcement agencies that seek to uphold laws prohibiting the use of marijuana (Sanger, 2017). Many people have been arrested and incarcerated for either possessing or consuming the drug, and the government has to use taxpayers’ money to sustain such people in prison. Since these actions do not limit consumption of marijuana, state governments should legalize the drug so as to save taxpayers money.

Another advantage of marijuana is that it is less noxious than other legal substances. According to research, marijuana is the least harmful drug among the many legal drugs existent in the world today (Owen, 2014). There are millions of campaigns every year cautioning people against smoking cigarettes, but there has been none seeking to warn people about marijuana consumption (Owen, 2014). Lobby groups have even been making efforts to push for legalization of marijuana. If marijuana had severe health effects as many purport, state governments would be investing heavily in campaigns aimed at discouraging its consumption (Owen, 2014). According to studies, alcohol, which is legal in many countries, is 114 times more harmful than marijuana (Owen, 2014). Therefore, if such harmful substances can be legalized, then there are no justifications as to why marijuana should not be legalized.

Further, marijuana has been proven to have medicinal benefits. Several countries, particularly in Europe, and the United States have legalized both medicinal and recreational marijuana. Their move to legalize marijuana was based on medical reports that showed a variety of health benefits linked to the drug (Noonan, 2017). Research shows that marijuana can reduce seizures in epileptic persons. Several studies have also proven that the drug indeed has a variety of health benefits. For instance, Charlotte Figi, who is now aged 10, used to have more than 100 seizures every month at age three, but since Colorado legalized medicinal and recreational marijuana, her parents started treating her with the substance, and today her seizures have significantly reduced (Noonan, 2017). Marijuana has as well been proven to reduce nausea in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Owing to this medicinal value, state governments should consider legalizing the drug.

Additionally, marijuana has been proven to be a stress reliever. Consumption of the drug causes excitement among its users enabling them to forget about troubling situations. Unlike alcohol which is likely to aggravate stress and depression, marijuana works wonders in alleviating anxiety and depression (Sanger, 2017). There are many health and social effects associated with stress, including mental disorders and violence against others (Sanger, 2017). To avoid cases of stress-related violence and mental disorders, state governments should make marijuana consumption legal.

There are many misconceptions about marijuana in the world today. People have continued to ignore the health benefits linked with this substance and have instead focused on citing yet-to-be proven misconceptions. Owing to the ability of the drug to stop seizures, nausea, and stress in individuals, governments should seriously consider its legalization. The legalization will also help state governments reduce expenses that result from sustaining suspects convicted of marijuana possession and consumption. So far, there is more than enough evidence proving that marijuana has lots of benefits to individuals, the society, and the government, and therefore should be legalized.

Head, T. (2016). “8 reasons why marijuana should be legalized”. ThoughtCo . Retrieved June 27, 2020 from https://www.thoughtco.com/reasons-why-marijuana-should-be-legalized-721154

Markol, T. (2018). “5 reasons why marijuana should be legalized”. Marijuana Reform . Retrieved June 27, 2020 from http://marijuanareform.org/5-reasons-marijuana-legalized/

Noonan, D. (2017). “Marijuana treatment reduces severe epileptic seizures”. Scientific American . Retrieved June 27, 2020 from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/marijuana-treatment-reduces-severe-epileptic-seizures/

Owen, P. (2014). “6 powerful reasons to legalize marijuana”. New York Times . Retrieved June 27, 2020 from https://www.alternet.org/drugs/6-powerful-reasons-new-york-times-says-end-marijuana-prohibition

Sanger, B. (2017). “10 legit reasons why weed should be legalized right now”. Herb . Retrieved June 27, 2020 from https://herb.co/marijuana/news/reasons-weed-legalized

Why Marijuana Should be Legal Essay Outline

Thesis: Marijuana has health benefits and should thus be legal.

Benefits of Marijuana

Marijuana slows and stops the spread of cancer cells.

Cannabidiol can turn off a gene called Id-1 and can therefore stop cancer.
In an experiment, researchers were able to treat breast cancer cells with Cannabidiol.

Marijuana helps with pain and nausea reduction for people going through chemotherapy.

Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy suffer from severe pains and nausea.
This can further complicate their health.
Marijuana can stir up their appetite, decrease nausea, and reduce pain.

Paragraph 3:

Marijuana can control epileptic seizure.

Marijuana extract stopped seizures in epileptic rats in ten hours.
The seizures were controlled by the THC.

Disadvantages of Marijuana

Marijuana is addictive.

One in ten marijuana users become addicted over time.
If one stops using the drug abruptly, they may suffer from such withdrawal symptoms.

Marijuana use decreases mental health.

Users suffer from memory loss and restricted blood flow to the brain.
Users have higher chances of developing depression and schizophrenia.

Marijuana use damages the lungs more than cigarette smoking .

Marijuana smokers inhale the smoke more deeply into their lungs and let it stay there for longer.
The likelihood of lung cancer can be increased by this deeper, longer exposure to carcinogens.

Why Marijuana Should Be Legal

Paragraph 7:

Improved quality and safety control.

Legalization would lead to the creation of a set of standards for safety and quality control.
Users would know what they exactly get in exchange for the money they offer.
There would be no risks of users taking in unknown substances mixed in marijuana.

Paragraph 8:

Marijuana has a medicinal value.

Medical marijuana treats a wide assortment of “untreatable” diseases and conditions.
Public health would be improved and the healthcare system would experience less of a drain.

Paragraph 9:

Among the major arguments against marijuana legalization is often that legalization would yield an increase in drug-impaired driving.

This argument holds that even now when the drug is yet to be fully legalized in the country, it is a major causal factor in highway deaths, injuries, and crushes.
It however beats logic why marijuana is illegalized on the ground that it would increase drug-impaired driving while alcohol is legal but also significantly contributes to the same problem.

Legalization of marijuana would have many benefits. The drug is associated with the treatment of many serious illnesses including the dreaded cancer. Legalization would also save users from consuming unsafe marijuana sold by unscrupulous people.

Why Marijuana Should Be Legal Essay

There is an ongoing tension between the belief that marijuana effectively treats a wide range of ailments and the argument that it has far-reaching negative health effects. There has nevertheless been a drive towards legalization of the drug in the United States with twenty nine states and the District of Columbia having legalized it for medical and recreational purposes. It was also found by a study that there is a sharp increase in the use of marijuana across the country (Kerr, Lui & Ye, 2017). Major public health concerns are being prompted by this rise. This should however not be the case because marijuana has health benefits and should thus be legal.

Marijuana slows and stops the spread of cancer cells. A study found that Cannabidiol can turn off a gene called Id-1 and can therefore stop cancer. A 2007 report by researchers at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco also indicated that the spread of cancer may be prevented by Cannabidiol. In their lab experiment, the researchers were able to treat breast cancer cells with this component (Nawaz, 2017). The positive outcome of the experiment showed that Id-1 expression had been significantly decreased.

Marijuana also helps with pain and nausea reduction for people going through chemotherapy. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy suffer from severe pains, appetite loss, vomiting, and painful nausea. This can further complicate their already deteriorating health. Marijuana can be of help here by stirring up the appetite, decreasing nausea, and reducing pain (Nawaz, 2017). There are also other cannabinoid drugs used for the same purposes as approved by the FDA.

It was additionally shown by a 2003 study that the use of marijuana can control epileptic seizure. Synthetic marijuana and marijuana extracts were given to epileptic rats by Virginia Commonwealth University’s Robert J. DeLorenzo. In about ten hours, the seizures had been stopped by the drugs (Nawaz, 2017). It was found that the seizures were controlled by the THC which bound the brain cells responsible for regulating relaxation and controlling excitability.

Some scientists claim that marijuana is addictive. According to them, one in ten marijuana users become addicted over time. They argue that if one stops using the drug abruptly, they may suffer from such withdrawal symptoms as anxiety and irritability (Barcott, 2015). However, the same argument could be applied to cigarette smoking, which is notably legal. There is need for more studies to be conducted into this claim being spread by opponents of marijuana legalization.

It is also argued that marijuana use decreases mental health. Those opposed to the legalization of recreational marijuana like to cite studies that show that users of the drug suffer from memory loss and restricted blood flow to the brain. They also argue that users have higher chances of developing depression and schizophrenia. However, these assertions have not yet been completely ascertained by science (Barcott, 2015). The claim about depression and schizophrenia is particularly not clear because researchers are not sure whether the drug triggers the conditions or it is used by smokers to alleviate the symptoms.

It is further claimed that marijuana use damages the lungs more than cigarette smoking. It is presumed that marijuana smokers inhale the smoke more deeply into their lungs and let it stay there for longer. The likelihood of lung cancer, according to this argument, can be increased by this deeper, longer exposure to carcinogens. However, the argument touches not on the frequency of use between marijuana and cigarette smokers (Barcott, 2015). It neither takes into account such alternative administration methods as edibles, tinctures, and vaporizing.

Legalization of marijuana would lead to improved quality and safety control. Purchasing the drug off the street provides end users with no means of knowing what they are exactly getting. On the other hand, legalizing it would immediately lead to the creation of a set of standards for safety and quality control (Caulkins, Kilmer & Kleiman, 2016). This would certainly work in the marijuana industry just as it is working in the tobacco and alcohol industries. Users would be able to know what they exactly get in exchange for the money they offer. Additionally, there would be no risks of users taking in unknown substances mixed in marijuana sold on the streets.

Marijuana should also be legal because it has a medicinal value. It has been proven that medical marijuana treats a wide assortment of “untreatable” diseases and conditions. These include problems due to chemotherapy, cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, migraines, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and Crohn’s disease (Caulkins, Kilmer & Kleiman, 2016). Public health would be improved and the healthcare system would experience less of a drain if medical cannabis products were made available to those suffering from the mentioned conditions. Consequently, more public funds would be available for such other public service initiatives as schools and roads.

Among the major arguments against marijuana legalization is often that legalization would yield an increase in drug-impaired driving. This argument holds that even now when the drug is yet to be fully legalized in the country, it has already been cited to be a major causal factor in highway deaths, injuries, and crushes. Among the surveys those arguing along this line might cite is one that was conducted back in 2010, revealing that of the participating weekend night-time drivers, “8.6 percent tested positive for marijuana or its metabolites” (“Why We Should Not Legalize Marijuana,” 2010). It was found in yet another study that 26.9% of drivers who were being attended to at a trauma center after sustaining serious injuries tested positive for the drug (“Why We Should Not Legalize Marijuana,” 2010). It however beats logic why marijuana is illegalized on the ground that it would increase drug-impaired driving while alcohol is legal but also significantly contributes to the same problem.

As the discussion reveals, legalization of marijuana would have many benefits. The drug is associated with the treatment of many serious illnesses including the dreaded cancer. Legalization would also save users from consuming unsafe marijuana sold by unscrupulous people. There are also other health conditions that can be controlled through the drug. Arguments against its legalization based on its effects on human health also lack sufficient scientific support. It is thus only safe that the drug is legalized in all states.

Barcott, B. (2015). Weed the people: the future of legal marijuana in America . New York, NY: Time Home Entertainment.

Caulkins, J. P., Kilmer, B., & Kleiman, M. (2016). Marijuana legalization: what everyone needs to know . New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Kerr, W., Lui, C., & Ye, Y. (2017). Trends and age, period and cohort effects for marijuana use prevalence in the 1984-2015 US National Alcohol Surveys. Addiction , 113 (3), 473-481.

Nawaz, H. (2017). The debate between legalizing marijuana and its benefits for medical purposes: a pros and cons analysis . Munich, Germany: GRIN Verlag.

Why We Should Not Legalize Marijuana. (2010). In CNBC . Retrieved June 25, 2020 from https://www.cnbc.com/id/36267223 .

More examples of Argumentative Essays written by our team of quality writers

Same Sex Marriage Argumentative Essay, with Outline
American Patriotism Argumentative Essay
Euthanasia Argumentative Essay Sample
Artificial Intelligence Argumentative Essay
Argumentative Essay on Abortion – Sample Essay
Gun Control Argumentative Essay – Sample Essay
Can Money Buy Happiness Argumentative Essay
Illegal Immigration Argumentative Essay

There are typical mistakes most students make when writing their argumentative papers . When writing your argumentative essay you ought to understand that it calls for the ability to present facts, provide supportive evidence, and use logical reasoning to illustrate points. This will help you write a quality paper.

You can relieve yourself all the tussle by buying an argumentative essay from a trustworthy argumentative essay help service. Hire Gudwriter now and you will never regret it.

Special offer! Get 20% discount on your first order. Promo code: SAVE20

Free essays and research papers, artificial intelligence argumentative essay – with outline.

Artificial Intelligence Argumentative Essay Outline In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become one of the rapidly developing fields and as its capabilities continue to expand, its potential impact on society has become a topic Read more…

Synthesis Essay Example – With Outline

The goal of a synthesis paper is to show that you can handle in-depth research, dissect complex ideas, and present the arguments. Most college or university students have a hard time writing a synthesis essay, Read more…

Examples of Spatial Order – With Outline

A spatial order is an organizational style that helps in the presentation of ideas or things as is in their locations. Most students struggle to understand the meaning of spatial order in writing and have Read more…

Argumentative Essay on Cannabis

Cannabis is commonly the most used illicit substance in many countries around the world, including the United States. It comes from the cannabis plant, which evolved about 28 million years ago on the eastern Tibetan Plateau, according to a pollen study published in May of 2019. Its use, the study suggests, has been found to date as far back as 2500 years. Studies have strongly suggested marijuana’s a wide range of benefits, from medical to recreational. Today cannabis, also known as hemp or marijuana, is legal in 15 states while criminalized in the remaining 35. There are various opinions on whether cannabis should be legalized or not. The present paper discusses the existing views and defends the idea that it should be federally legalized because of its medical and recreational benefits and a dramatic reduction in law enforcement costs.

The primary argument against the legalization of cannabis is that it is “the most commonly used addictive drug after tobacco and alcohol” (National Institute on Drug Abuse 4). More than 22 million Americans use marihuana at least once a month, and every 10th adult and every 6th adolescent become addicted to this drug (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention para. 1, 2). Except for addiction and the decreased ability to control own life, the regulars use of marijuana reduces cognitive function in middle age (Auer et al. 352).

More precisely, there is a strong correlation between addiction to cannabis and poor verbal memory and executive function, and slow processing speed of the brain (Auer et al. 352). From this, it could be inferred that the legalization of marijuana will be a fatal strike for the well-being of the entire nation. In other words, the legalization of this drug will increase the number of people who are addicted to it and, therefore, will increase the number of middle-aged and older adults who suffer from cognitive impairments.

At the same time, it might be argued that tobacco and alcohol are also legalized, but many people anyway do not smoke tobacco and do not drink alcohol. Besides, some people smoke or drink alcohol from time to time to celebrate holidays or cope with stress and do not get addicted. Interestingly enough, the survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in April 2021 illustrates that 91 percent of American adults support the legalization of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes (Schaeffer para. 2).

Furthermore, the results of the survey conducted by Keyhani et al. show that more than 80 percent of adults believe that the use of marijuana is beneficial since it helps manage pain, treat epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, depression, and stress (282). Most importantly, people are aware not only of the benefits of cannabis but also of its risks. Respondents admit that they are afraid of legal problems because of the use of cannabis, addiction, and memory problems (Keyhani et al. 282). This way, it is apparent that most American citizens are conscious enough of the issue of cannabis and are ready to be responsible for their actions after the legalization of this drug.

Another argument against the legalization of cannabis is that it is widely perceived as a gateway drug. This means that after some time, the effect of marijuana will stop to satisfy its user and, subsequently, such a person will shift to the use of “harder” drugs such as, for example, heroin or cocaine. The marijuana gateway hypothesis appeared in the 1970-s, and since these times, debate on whether cannabis is a gateway drug does not stop.

In spite of the fact that in the academic community, there is no common opinion on the marijuana gateway hypothesis, several studies prove that the use of this drug does not cause a consequential addiction to other drugs. For instance, the US Department of Justice researched this topic and discovered no “scientific support for cannabis use leading to harder illicit drug use” (Nöel and Wang 11). Therefore, the legalization of cannabis is not expected to lead to an increase in the number of adults and adolescents addicted to hard drugs.

Nonetheless, it is impossible to deny that marijuana is addictive. Without a doubt, legalization will lead to the rise of people addicted to this drug because some people in the states where marijuana is prohibited are willing to try it but are afraid of breaking the law. This, in turn, means more traffic accidents, more addicted teenagers who steal hemp from their parents or forge an identity card. Besides, legalization means increased pressure on hospitals caused by the sharply raised number of emergency room visits and demand for addiction treatment. From this perspective, it is clear that people who do not use cannabis will suffer significant losses, and their lives are put in danger as well.

Still, the legalization of cannabis will save the lives of people who are used to buying it on the street and, thus, have no way to check the quality of the purchase. Legalization will decrease the illegal trade with cannabis, and, therefore, people who use this drug could at least be sure that its quality is satisfactory. What is more, legalization is a way to force sellers to certify the quality of cannabis through tests in specialized laboratories. The government will be able to control the entire production chain, from marijuana fields to laboratories where the final product is tested. Finally, through the legalization, the federal government could impose age restrictions and this way, prevent immature Americans from abuse of this substance.

As it has been already noted in the introduction, the legalization of cannabis will reduce law enforcement costs. In 2018, “663,000 arrests for marijuana-related offenses” were made in the US (Gramlich para. 2). These arrests cost approximately $4 million to the federal government annually. The legalization of marihuana will enable police officers to spend their time, efforts, and budget on solving more acute and dangerous problems than catching people who store, purchase, or use cannabis.

To conclude, it is common knowledge that fruit often tastes sweeter when it is forbidden. People who want to smoke marijuana will find a way to buy it. Those who are in good health and prefer other stress-relieving practices such as yoga, meditation, or jogging, will not use cannabis under any circumstances. Simultaneously, the legalization of marijuana will significantly relieve life for people who suffer from severe pains and various medical conditions. Finally, legalization will help to economize a substantial amount of money and utilize it more efficiently. The use of cannabis unquestionably has numerous adverse effects. Nonetheless, individuals should be free to decide independently what to do with their lives and whether the game with cannabis is worth the candle.

Works Cited

Auer, Reto, et al. “ Association between lifetime marijuana use and cognitive function in middle age: the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. ” JAMA Internal Medicine , vol. 176, no. 3, 2016, pp. 352-361.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Marijuana Fast Facts and Fact Sheets , 2017. Web.

Gramlich, John. “ Four-in-ten U.S. drug arrests in 2018 were for marijuana offenses – mostly possession. ” Pew Research Center . 2020.

Keyhani, Salomeh, et al. “ Risks and benefits of marijuana use: a national survey of US adults. ” Annals of Internal Medicine , vol. 169, no.5, 2018, pp. 282-290.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Marijuana Research Report . 2020.

Nöel, Wm. & Wang, Judy. “ Is Cannabis a Gateway Drug? Key Findings and Literature Review. ” U.S. Department of Justice. 2018.

Schaeffer, Katherine. “ 6 facts about Americans and marijuana. ” Pew Research Center . 2021.

Cite this paper

Chicago (N-B)
Chicago (A-D)

StudyCorgi. (2022, August 26). Argumentative Essay on Cannabis. https://studycorgi.com/argumentative-essay-on-cannabis/

"Argumentative Essay on Cannabis." StudyCorgi , 26 Aug. 2022, studycorgi.com/argumentative-essay-on-cannabis/.

StudyCorgi . (2022) 'Argumentative Essay on Cannabis'. 26 August.

1. StudyCorgi . "Argumentative Essay on Cannabis." August 26, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/argumentative-essay-on-cannabis/.

Bibliography

StudyCorgi . "Argumentative Essay on Cannabis." August 26, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/argumentative-essay-on-cannabis/.

StudyCorgi . 2022. "Argumentative Essay on Cannabis." August 26, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/argumentative-essay-on-cannabis/.

This paper, “Argumentative Essay on Cannabis”, was written and voluntary submitted to our free essay database by a straight-A student. Please ensure you properly reference the paper if you're using it to write your assignment.

Before publication, the StudyCorgi editorial team proofread and checked the paper to make sure it meets the highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, fact accuracy, copyright issues, and inclusive language. Last updated: November 22, 2023 .

If you are the author of this paper and no longer wish to have it published on StudyCorgi, request the removal . Please use the “ Donate your paper ” form to submit an essay.

Share full article

Supported by

Ross Douthat

Legalizing Marijuana Is a Big Mistake

A small skeleton set against a wood and marijuana pattern background.

By Ross Douthat

Opinion Columnist

Of all the ways to win a culture war, the smoothest is to just make the other side seem hopelessly uncool. So it’s been with the march of marijuana legalization: There have been moral arguments about the excesses of the drug war and medical arguments about the potential benefits of pot, but the vibe of the whole debate has pitted the chill against the uptight, the cool against the square, the relaxed future against the Principal Skinners of the past.

As support for legalization has climbed, commanding a two-thirds majority in recent polling , any contrary argument has come to feel a bit futile, and even modest cavils are couched in an apologetic and defensive style. Of course I don’t question the right to get high, but perhaps the pervasive smell of weed in our cities is a bit unfortunate …? I’m not a narc or anything, but maybe New York City doesn’t need quite so many unlicensed pot dealers …?

All of this means that it will take a long time for conventional wisdom to acknowledge the truth that seems readily apparent to squares like me: Marijuana legalization as we’ve done it so far has been a policy failure, a potential social disaster, a clear and evident mistake.

The best version of the square’s case is an essay by Charles Fain Lehman of the Manhattan Institute explaining his evolution from youthful libertarian to grown-up prohibitionist. It will not convince readers who come in with stringently libertarian presuppositions — who believe on high principle that consenting adults should be able to purchase, sell and enjoy almost any substance short of fentanyl and that no second-order social consequence can justify infringing on this right.

But Lehman explains in detail why the second-order effects of marijuana legalization have mostly vindicated the pessimists and skeptics. First, on the criminal justice front, the expectation that legalizing pot would help reduce America’s prison population by clearing out nonviolent offenders was always overdrawn, since marijuana convictions made up a small share of the incarceration rate even at its height. But Lehman argues that there is also no good evidence so far that legalization reduces racially discriminatory patterns of policing and arrests. In his view, cops often use marijuana as a pretext to search someone they suspect of a more serious crime, and they simply substitute some other pretext when the law changes, leaving arrest rates basically unchanged.

So legalization isn’t necessarily striking a great blow against mass incarceration or for racial justice. Nor is it doing great things for public health. There was hope, and some early evidence, that legal pot might substitute for opioid use, but some of the more recent data cuts the other way: A new paper published in The Journal of Health Economics found that “legal medical marijuana, particularly when available through retail dispensaries, is associated with higher opioid mortality.” There are therapeutic benefits to cannabis that justify its availability for prescription, but the evidence of its risks keeps increasing: This month brought a new paper strengthening the link between heavy pot use and the onset of schizophrenia in young men.

And the broad downside risks of marijuana, beyond extreme dangers like schizophrenia, remain as evident as ever: a form of personal degradation, of lost attention and performance and motivation, that isn’t mortally dangerous in the way of heroin but that can damage or derail an awful lot of human lives. Most casual pot smokers won’t have this experience, but the legalization era has seen a sharp increase in the number of noncasual users. Occasional use has risen substantially since 2008, but daily or near-daily use is up much more, with around 1‌‌6 million Americans , out of ‌more than 50 million users, now suffering from what ‌‌is termed marijuana use disorder.

In theory, there are technocratic responses to these unfortunate trends. In its ideal form, legalization would be accompanied by effective regulation and taxation, and as Lehman notes, on paper it should be possible to discourage addiction by raising taxes in the legal market, effectively nudging users toward more casual consumption.

In practice, it hasn’t worked that way. Because of all the years of prohibition, a mature and supple illegal marketplace already exists, ready to undercut whatever prices the legal market charges. So to make the legal marketplace successful and amenable to regulation, you would probably need much more enforcement against the illegal marketplace — which is difficult and expensive and, again, obviously uncool, in conflict with the good-vibrations spirit of the legalizers.

Then you have the extreme case of New York, where legal permitting has lagged while untold numbers of illegal shops are doing business unmolested by the police. But even in less-incompetent-seeming states and localities, a similar pattern persists. Lehman cites (and has reviewed ) the recent book “Can Legal Weed Win? The Blunt Realities of Cannabis Economics,” by Robin Goldstein and Daniel Sumner, which shows that unlicensed weed can cost as much as 50 percent less than the licensed variety. So the more you tax and regulate legal pot sales, the more you run the risk of having users just switch to the black market — and if you want the licensed market to crowd out the black market instead, you probably need to make legal pot as cheap as possible, which in turn undermines any effort to discourage chronic, life-altering abuse.

Thus policymakers who don’t want so much chronic use and personal degradation have two options. They can set out to design a much more effective (but necessarily expensive, complex and sometimes punitive) system of regulation and enforcement than what exists so far. Or they can reach for the blunt instrument of recriminalization, which Lehman prefers for its simplicity — with medical exceptions still carved out and with the possibility that possession could remain legal and that only production and distribution be prohibited.

I expect legalization to advance much further before either of these alternatives builds significant support. But eventually the culture will recognize that under the banner of personal choice, we’re running a general experiment in exploitation — addicting our more vulnerable neighbors to myriad pleasant-seeming vices, handing our children over to the social media dopamine machine and spreading degradation wherever casinos spring up and weed shops flourish.

With that realization, and only with that realization, will the squares get the hearing they deserve.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Twitter (@NYTOpinion) and Instagram .

Ross Douthat has been an Opinion columnist for The Times since 2009. He is the author of several books, most recently, “The Deep Places: A Memoir of Illness and Discovery.” @ DouthatNYT • Facebook

EssayEmpire

Argumentative essay on marijuana.

In 2000, George Bierson’s “Marijuana, the Deceptive Drug”, was published by the Massachusetts News. Bierson concludes that marijuana is harmful in many ways, including brain damage, damage to the reproductive system, and weakening of the immune system. He also attempts to convince the reader that marijuana is a “gateway drug” that leads the users to venture into much harder drugs. I believe that research to support anything can be found if one is looking hard enough, but that the fallacy of Bierson’s conclusion is due to his research seeking facts to support an already-assumed conclusion. Based on my research and my own personal experience, I have found that several of his points, when looked at logically, do not reach his conclusion.

One of Bierson’s strongest supporting claims is of the physical harms of marijuana. He argues that Heath’s tests of the monkey’s brain seemed to show conclusive evidence of brain damage; however, he fails to mention that the tests were later discredited: the monkeys were given extremely high doses, doses exponentially higher than that of the average recreational or medical marijuana user, and the test’s sample size was too small. More current studies of people who are heavy marijuana smokers show no evidence of brain damage; in addition, the American Medical Association has officially endorsed the decriminalization of marijuana. I find this to be quite a bit more compelling than an outdated and poorly executed test. His claims of damage to both the reproductive system and the immune system are again based on invalid experiments of nearly lethal doses administered to mice and other animals, not humans. Moreover, several studies of the effects of marijuana on the human reproductive and immune systems have failed to demonstrate adverse effects.

One of the longest standing arguments against the use of marijuana is that it gives users a “gateway” to harder or more illicit drug use. Bierson states in his article that “Marijuana is the seed from which the scourge of drug abuse grows. If we stop the marijuana, we will stop the rest of drug abuse”. I have several issues with this statement: first, the simple fact that many heroin and cocaine users used marijuana first does not conclude that the latter is the result of the first. Correlation is not causality. Bierson’s vehement argument against marijuana alone become suspect, as most of these heroin and cocaine abusers had also previously used alcohol and tobacco. According to government surveys, a conservative estimate of 80 million American have tried marijuana in their life, and 20 million admit to using it recently; if marijuana were truly a gateway drug, we would see a higher percentage of regular users. Instead we are seeing an even smaller percentage of abusers of cocaine or heroin. In fact, most people who use marijuana most often quit on their own before the age of 34. If anybody is still compelled to buy into the “gateway” theory, a real-life example is available for all to see: In Holland, marijuana has been partially decriminalized since the 1970’s. Reports show that the use of cocaine and heroin has significantly decreased, thus contradicting the hypothesis of marijuana as a gateway drug. Instead, these statistics appear to point to the conclusion that marijuana is more likely a substitute for harder drugs rather than a launching pad.

While I do feel that Bierson has failed to present conclusive evidence of the harmfulness of marijuana through the points made, it is not a proper statement to claim that marijuana is “harmless” either. Even though the properties of marijuana have shown not to be physically addictive, one can become psychologically addicted. However, this is true of just about anything that can give one pleasure, such as chocolate, gambling, or shopping. No substance will be safe for everybody, under all circumstances, or when used in excessive amounts. For example, over-the-counter medications can be deadly for those who are allergic or who overdose. On the other hand, marijuana overdose has never been a sole reported cause of death: the amount of cannabinoids required to have a lethal effect are more than 40,000 times the necessary dosage for intoxication, making it highly unlikely that a person would be able to or could be able to achieve such a concentrated amount in their bloodstream. This is a severe contrast to alcohol, where one can very easily bring about one’s demise, and at only a mere four times the legal limit.

Marijuana continues to be a relevant controversial issue in society today, as many states included decriminalization and legalization proposals on their ballots. It can be very difficult to know which side to support, partially due to the media propaganda, some of which even contradicts itself in its fervor. This is likely the result of many wealthy and influential organizations that have a financial interest in this issue, from the pharmaceutical companies who stand to lose profits from legalization, the governments who stands to gain from taxation, or the “dealers” who will be put out of business with the elimination of the black market. It seems that those with a vested interest in the legalization or continued criminalization of marijuana will pull whatever strings necessary to sway public opinion to their side. This may include creating, supporting, or merely citing biased or invalid research to support the desired conclusion, just as Bierson has done in his article.

How to Write an Argumentative Essay
Argumentative Essay Writing Service
Argumentative Essay Topics

ORDER HIGH QUALITY CUSTOM PAPER

Special offer!

GET 10% OFF WITH 24START DISCOUNT CODE

Cite this page

Share with friends using:

Removal Request

Finished papers: 2208

This paper is created by writer with

ID 252651660

If you want your paper to be:

Well-researched, fact-checked, and accurate

Original, fresh, based on current data

Eloquently written and immaculately formatted

275 words = 1 page double-spaced

Get your papers done by pros!

Other Pages

Hunter theses, human behavior theses, luck theses, hurricane theses, birth control theses, bilingualism theses, jealousy theses, csr college essays, example of course work on global health alert, free report on field trip, essay on hate, free discrimination against immigrant populations essay example, free the determination of youngs modulus e using strain gauge technique report example, good examining bell hooks contribution to debates about gender and race in the late critical thinking example, good analyzing payback period method essay example, free we live while we see the sun essay example, example of nutrition for the older adult essay, free essay on human resource bfoq, good research paper about breach of confidentiality, good research paper on salt of the earth sociological perspectives, michael pollans big organic essay sample, example of essay on native non western cultural practices and globalization, good numerical precision case study example, free burning of the gaspee and its effects on both sides of the atlantic essay example, good research paper on research and analysis questions, free research paper about white collar crimes, good example of relation between international trade and world output essay, ohio city essays, tamiami essays, gaspard monge essays, xi jinping essays, williford essays, women in lebanon essays, sicko essays, people group essays, emotional labor essays, chukwu essays, screwtape letters essays, the principles of scientific management essays, operations group essays, roman temple essays, guldberg essays, floppy disk drives essays.

Password recovery email has been sent to [email protected]

Use your new password to log in

You are not register!

By clicking Register, you agree to our Terms of Service and that you have read our Privacy Policy .

Now you can download documents directly to your device!

Check your email! An email with your password has already been sent to you! Now you can download documents directly to your device.

or Use the QR code to Save this Paper to Your Phone

The sample is NOT original!

Short on a deadline?

Don't waste time. Get help with 11% off using code - GETWOWED

No, thanks! I'm fine with missing my deadline

75 Cannabis Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best cannabis topic ideas & essay examples, 📌 simple & easy cannabis essay titles, 👍 good essay topics on cannabis.

Mental Health Care in Cannabis Addiction Case Based on the experience of studying the stories of juvenile delinquents, Bowlby revealed the influence of early separation from the mother and the experiences of loss and separation associated with it on the violation of […]
Cannabis Edibles Dessert Shop Marketing Plan The sales are increasing because of the overall expansion of the market, and edible marijuana is a healthier alternative to smoking. We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
Medicinal Uses of Cannabis: Pros and Cons As such, it is crucial to examine both the advantages and disadvantages of medicinal cannabis, emphasizing the benefits of possible pain relief and a decrease in anxiety and depression, as well as the disadvantages of […]
An Elevator Pitch for a Cannabis Business Venture The Oregon Department of Agriculture is another agency that would help in legalizing the business. The Cannabis Regulation/Oregon Medical Marijuana Act ORS 475C is an example of a cannabis law relating to getting into the […]
Cannabis in Therapeutic Applications All the cannabinoids are capable of activating endogenous receptors of the CB1 and CB2 type in the endocannabinoid system. The joining with the CB1 receptors then leads to inhibited activation of the presynaptic calcium channel […]
The Psychological and Physiological Effects of Cannabis The effects of the use of cannabis are dependent on various factors, including prior cannabis use, the method it’s consumed, social setting, and mood. In conclusion, above are the psychological and physiological effects of cannabis […]
Cannabis Use, Deficiency, and Delivery Routes Vaporizing cannabis is similar to smoking it in terms of the absorption of the compounds into the system through the lungs, bloodstream, and ultimately, the brain.
Effect of Cannabis Use on Impression Formation or Stigma As for another common stigma, the study conducted by Reid also discovered that the perceptions of society depend on the annual income of the individual.
Cannabis or Marijuana for Medical Use In the West, for the first time, medical use became known thanks to the work of Professor O’Shaughnessy, who personally observed the process of her treatment in India.
Drug Aware Cannabis Prevention Campaign in Australia The involvement of many media channels Drug Aware helps support its campaign against cannabis use, and this is essential for health promotion.
Researching Relationship Between Using Cannabis and Psychosis Though not stated in a conventional manner, the research hypothesis argued that the use of cannabis in youths increases the risk of developing psychotic symptoms but the effect is highest in the individuals with evidence […]
Cannabis Technological Advancement in Cultivation The demand for Cannabis has grown in the most developed countries due to legalization of the cultivation and processing of Cannabis.
Cannabis Abuse Increases the Risk of Depression The youths who are the backbone of society are going to be wiped out by this killer drug, the students’ performance in schools which the government spends a lot is going to decline seriously, the […]
Can Cannabis Cause Schizophrenia? Regarding this assignment, I am going to address the importance of this topic in the field of addiction and healthcare, assessing the research that suggests that cannabis plays a role in schizophrenia and the strengths […]
Legalization of Cannabis in the State of New Jersey The release of the “New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory and Expungement Aid Modernization Act” gave a start to the new phase of debate around marijuana legalization in New Jersey.
Cannabis and Cancer Pain Management CBD that is selected as the intervention for the proposed study interacts with the cannabinoid cell receptors on its surface to activate and enhance the response of the nervous system.
Cannabis Effects on Mental Health I am a nursing student who will present today on the topic of cannabis and mental health, providing you with an overview of the adverse effects of marijuana and the possibilities of addiction treatment.
Cannabis as a Probable Cause of Lung Illnesses However, the failure to create a strong logical connection between the presence of THC in vaping devices and the associated health issues causes the immediate disconnection from the article’s main argument.
Medical Cannabis Policy and Reform Strategy in the US For instance, 90% of the participants of a survey implemented by the Minnesota Department of Health mentioned the positive effects of the treatment.
Cannabis and Its Medical Worth Thompson, Flom, and Schmarzo underline the importance of statistics in the analysis and the implementation of the description as the main method to introduce a concept and develop its urgency.
Dangerous Effects of Alcohol and Cannabis Alcohol is a depressant that alters the transmission of messages between the brain and the rest of the body. There is a lot of advocacy on the dangerous effects of alcohol and cannabis use.
Cannabis and Its Effects on Long Term Memory The memory function in general has been studied in acute administration studies of long term users of cannabis to humans and animals, and in long term studies of cannabis users.
Cannabis Smoking in Canada The money spent on combating the growth and trade of the product should be re-channeled and boosted from the revenues of marijuana to cater for the health issue of the people in general.
Cannabis Dependence and Psychiatric Disorders: Outline The discussion focused on cannabis dependence which is how an individual constantly consumes marijuana to achieve a feeling of relaxation or euphoria.
The Argument In Favor Of Medicinal Cannabis
The Benefits Of Criminalization Vs. Cannabis Prohibition
The Legalization Of Marijuana And Cannabis Programs
The Decade Long Controversy Surrounding the Cannabis
The Effects of Cannabis on the Human Reproductive System
The Medicinal Use of Marijuana or Cannabis Sativa
Smoking Cannabis: Use and Periodontal Diseases
The Effects Of Methamphetamine On The World After Cannabis
The Effect Of Cannabis Use On The Initiation Of Psychosis
The Intoxicating Ability of the Cannabis Plant Depicted in Michael Pollan’s Book The Botany of Desire: A Plant’s Eye-View of the World
The Cannabis Wellness Center: Industry & Competitive Analysis
The Tradition Of Consuming Cannabis Orally
The Potential Environmental, Economic, and Social Benefits of the Cultivation of Cannabis Sativa
The Benefits of Therapeutic Application of Cannabis and the Importance of Clinical Trials
The Health and Mental Effects of Cannabis
The Description of the Cannabis Plant and Controversy over Its Legalization
The Issue of Cannabis Legalization as a Performance-Enhancing Drug
The Relationship Between Cannabis And Schizophrenia
The Policy Design For Recreational Cannabis Model
The Debate over the Controversial Issue of Legalization of Cannabis Sativa
The Classification of Cannabis Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
The Issue of Cannabis Cultivation in Himachal Pradesh
The Effect of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries on Opioid and Heroin Overdose Mortality
Should Cannabis Be Legalized? – Criminal offense, Criminology, Required
The United States Government Should Legalize Cannabis
The Use of Cannabis and Its Relation to Schizophrenia
The Argument Regarding The Decriminalization Of Cannabis
Smoking Cannabis Virtually Doubles The Risk Of Developing Mental Illness Such As Schizophrenia
The Human Interest in Tending to and Relying on Cannabis as a Result of a Desire for Intoxication in Michael Pollan’s Book The Botany of Desire
The Global Tradition Of Strict Prohibition Against Cannabis
Should The Use of Cannabis be Legallised
The Impact of Cannabis Use on Health
Trichomes, Cannabis and Light Microscopy
Distance to Cannabis Shops and Age of Onset of Cannabis Use
United States Marijuana Cannabis Medical
An Analysis of the Reaction to Medical Cannabis Access Referendums on the Ballots in Arizona and California
Trends in daily cannabis use among cigarette smokers: United States, 2002-2014
An Analysis of the Cannabis and Biochemistry in The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan
Carnivorous Cannabis: How Legalizing It Can Help Improve U.S. Economy
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Cannabis Legalization
The Uses of the Cannabis and the Ethical Aspects Regarding Its Legalization
Why Parents Worry : Initiation into Cannabis use by Youth and their Educational Attainment
Smoking Cannabis Virtually Doubles the Risk of Developing Mental Illness
Drugs: Cannabis and Marijuana Legalization Marijuana
Time Trends Matter: The Case of Medical Cannabis Laws and Opioid Overdose Mortality
Controversy Regarding Cannabis-Related Legislations in Canada
The Argument Over the Decriminalization of Cannabis
Could The Economy Of A Nation Benefit From The Legalization Of Cannabis
Alcohol And Cannabis : The Second And Third Most Consumed
Toward a Regulatory Framework for the Legalization of Cannabis: How Do We Get to There from Here
An Argument in Favor of Cannabis in the United States
Chicago (A-D)
Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, March 2). 75 Cannabis Essay Topic Ideas & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/cannabis-essay-topics/

"75 Cannabis Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." IvyPanda , 2 Mar. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/cannabis-essay-topics/.

IvyPanda . (2024) '75 Cannabis Essay Topic Ideas & Examples'. 2 March.

IvyPanda . 2024. "75 Cannabis Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." March 2, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/cannabis-essay-topics/.

1. IvyPanda . "75 Cannabis Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." March 2, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/cannabis-essay-topics/.