Marijuana Should be Legalized Essay -- Argumentative Persuasive Medica

Marijuana Should be Legalized The legalization of marijuana is a subject that has been debated for many years. Marijuana should be legalized for medical use and it should be decriminalized for recreational use.By decriminalizing marijuana for recreational use, the penalty will no longer be jail time, but a simple fine if caught using it in public.Furthermore, marijuana offers many medical benefits to very ill patients.In short, the benefits of marijuana outweigh the drawbacks, especially for medical purposes, so it should be legalized.First, marijuana should be decriminalized for recreational use. Marijuana should be decriminalized for recreational use because it really is not that dangerous of a drug, and there are many people that smoke it responsibly.Responsible smoking, as outlined by the NORML Board of Directors, is defined to be: adults only; no driving; set and setting; resist abuse; and respect rights of others (http://www.norml.org/).The first two aspects of responsible smoking speak for themselves and require no explanation.With the third aspect, set and setting, set refers to a smoker’s, â€Å"values, attitudes, experiences, and personality.† (http://www.norml.org/).Setting refers to a consumer’s physical and social conditions (http://www.norml.org/).Resist abuse means that the, â€Å"Use of cannabis, to the extent that it impairs health, personal development or achievement, is abuse, to be resisted by responsible cannabis users.† (http://www.norml.org/).The final aspect, respect the rights of others, is rather straightforward.It means th at no smoker, no matter if they smoke marijuana or cigarettes, has the right to violate the rights of others around them (http://www.norml.org/).This also means that responsible smokers m... ...9 . 3. The Issues at Hand: Legalization of Marijuana. 15 Apr. 1996. The University of Michigan-Dearborn. 8 Dec. 1999 4. Legalization of Marijuana Long Overdue. 8 June 1993. Albuquerque Journal. 1 Dec. 1999 . 5. NORML Statement on the Medical Use of Marijuana. National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. 1 Dec. 1999 . 6. Rose, Joan. â€Å"Two More Steps Along the Road to Legalization.† Medical Economics (1999) 76.8: 28. 7. Sager, Ryan H. â€Å"Grass Roots.† National Review 51.21 (1999): 30-32. 8. Testimony of R. Keith Stroup, Esq. National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. 1 Dec. 1999 .