Legalization of marijuana

Introduction

Marijuana is a drug that has adverse effects on the human health. It has made illegal by the governments so that health measures can be taken care of. This paper examines the issues and the factors that related to Marijuana and thus leads to its illegality in different parts of the world. Marijuana is the drug that has not only negative affects but it also carries certain points. Its usage was widespread in the nineteenth century, as analgesic, anticoagulant and hypnotic agent. The harmful and adverse affects of Marijuana prevails on its nourishing components, therefore, it was made illegal in most parts of the world.

Marijuana's medical effects were rediscovered serendipitously by young chemotherapy and glaucoma patients in the 1970s. In 1972 the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws filed a petition to reschedule marijuana as a Schedule II prescription drug. After prolonged hearings, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) overruled the recommendation of its own administrative judge that marijuana be rescheduled in 1988, ruling that it must first be proven effective in controlled clinical studies.

Medical marijuana emerged as a political issue when San Francisco voters overwhelmingly approved a medical marijuana ballot measure, Proposition P (1991). Shortly afterward, the first medical cannabis dispensary opened in San Francisco, purveying marijuana to members with a doctor's note. In 1996 California voters approved a landmark medical marijuana initiative, Proposition 215, which legalized the possession and cultivation of marijuana by patients and caregivers given a physician's recommendation. Boosted by opinion polls showing 70 percent public support for medical marijuana, similar laws were adopted in other states (14 states plus the District of Columbia to date).

Discussion

Current efforts for the legalization of marijuana focus on two discrete but interrelated areas, medical benefits of marijuana and states' rights. Some believe strongly that medical marijuana should be allowed to ease the pain and suffering of individuals with terminal illnesses. In United States v. Oakland Cannabis Buyer's Cooperative, the U.S. Supreme Court examined the authority of states to grant citizens the right to use marijuana to alleviate medical conditions. NORML filed a brief on behalf of defendants, and argued that the right to use medical marijuana to save one's life is within the rights established by substantive due process doctrine. The U.S. Supreme Court, however, held that the law that NORML was trying to combat made no mention or reference to medical situations and therefore the Supreme Court did not have any guidance in the absence of statutory ambiguity to make a ruling—the holding has essentially left the debate on this issue open.

In a news article, published in the 1st June Yahoo News by Liz Goodwin, a concern for decriminalization of drugs and changes in drug enforcement policy was raised. According to a Guardian report, the Global commission on drug policy is going to propose a significant policy change regarding public health. According to Law Enforcement against Prohibition (LEAP) spokesman Tom, these politicians are probably waiting for a clear American opinion to come to the surface before they take ...