Should the Federal Government Legalize Marijuana for Recreational Use?

Should the Federal Government Legalize Marijuana for Recreational Use?

BCOM/275

February 10, 2014

Todd A. Breton

Should the Federal Government Legalize Marijuana for Recreational Use?

From the beginning of time, man has searched for a way to relieve pains that trouble them, physically or emotionally. The United States, as a nation, is considering debates on whether marijuana should be categorized in the same terms as alcohol and tobacco. Some people want to take something that has been traditionally used for medicinal purposes and turn it into a recreational drug. A look inside of the United States’ own borders can show what people under the influence of this powerful drug have been capable of doing to harm others around them. It can also show the positive effects this powerful drug can have on the terminally ill. Whatever the decision may be, the debate is one that is fueled by personal beliefs, research data and government interests in regulating what is done in the daily lives of its citizens.

Marijuana itself is a plant; specifically the Cannabis sativa.  The use of marijuana utilizes the leaves, seeds, stem, and flowers in different forms; such as dried for smoking, hashish, and has oil.  Some of the readings also indicate that marijuana can be made into a tea.  The chemicals in marijuana are many, including over 400 compounds that include TCH.  It also contains over 60 other compounds that are THC-like in function are classified as Cannabinoids.  Marijuana affects people through the receptors in the brain that are Cannabinoid receptors which make up the endocannabinoid system that is important in regulating brain function and development (Danovitch, 2012).

        It is hard to say exactly what marijuana was/should be used for when looking back at the history of usage over the past couple centuries. Cannabis was originally used during religious rituals to help celebrants release their inhibitions and be fully immersed in the worship experience.  The Chinese have used it for medical sets spreading to India, North Africa, and eventually reaching Europe.  It was used as a medicinal alternative to help deal with some of the pains and worries that traditional medicines did not appear to have any effect on. As with any good medicine, it soon was used by people that had no need for it. They were merely searching for an escape from the problems of their daily lives.  Eventually reaching America, it was fresh ground to produce hemp to help with the need for maritime rope. In the 1850’s, it was sold in 29 states for medical reasons, but labeled as a possible “poison” to help alleviate menstrual cramps, nausea, and labor pains (A brief history of how marijuana became illegal in the U.S.,2014).  In the early 1900s, many states in America started to ban the use of marijuana without a prescription.  It wasn’t until The Controlled Substance Act of 1970 when marijuana was classified as a Schedule (Class) 1 drug.  A Schedule 1 drug is considered a drug, substance, or chemical that has no currently accepted medical use; however, has a high potential for abuse.  After many strict laws being passed to keep possession of marijuana at a low consumers and suppliers began making it in their own backyard. Today the use of marijuana in the United States is based on what state a person lives in. The history of marijuana is changing, and the perception of the drug has changed along the way.