Marijuana is indubitably one of the most commonly abused drugs in the world over with over 60 million Americans using the drug occasionally or regularly. Quite notably, the first use of this drug, whose parts according to Thornton have been used and valued at one time (65), dates back to more than 5000 years ago. Marijuana has professedly hit the headlines for good and bad reasons. Many governments opted to ban the use of this once very common drug even though recent occurrences have witnessed a handful of governments legalize its usage within their borders. Ideally, with regards to the several benefits of the drug marijuana should be legalized.
Looking at the circumstances that surrounded the prohibition of marijuana, it can be seen that the prohibition of marijuana was really unfounded. The prohibition of marijuana came at a time when its usage was not yet widespread hence any major negative effects tied to the use of the drug could not have been witnessed yet (Thornton 65). According to Thornton, the prohibition of marijuana was by all means incompatible with the historical cultural and economic significance of marijuana (65). In this light, several attempts have been geared towards unraveling of the main reasons that led to the illegalization of marijuana. In an instance, it can be viewed that prohibition of marijuana has turned out to be a cost rather than a benefit (Holland 453). The corruption cases and other undesirable activities that come as a result of the attempt to keep marijuana from the streets only validates the notion that the prohibition of marijuana only make governments to incur unnecessary expenses (Holland 451).
On their part, Rosenthal, Kubby, and Newhart contend that the prohibition of marijuana is as breach of the constitutional rights of citizens (1). In particular, the three authors assert that the marijuana laws and their enforcement violate the fourth, sixth and eighth, nigh and tenth amendments of the U.S. constitution (Rosenthal, Kubby, and Newhart 2). For instance, to them, citizens are accorded privacy by the fourth amendment of the constitution but this right is always breached by the frequent searches that people are subject to with the slightest evidence that they are in possession of marijuana (Rosenthal, Kubby, and Newhart 4).
Besides, marijuana should be legalized on the grounds of its numerous benefits. It can be easily demonstrated that marijuana is healthy for the body especially because its benefits that can be tested precisely (Bello 2). Gieringer, Rosenthal and Carter attest that scientific evidence of the medicinal importance of marijuana keep on popping up with every break of the day (39). Indisputably, there are several medicinal uses of marijuana or marijuana extracts known today. For instance, marijuana has been proved to be an important remedy for loss of appetite or nausea resulting from cancer chemotherapy, pain and appetite lose dues to HIV/AIDS and sclerosis (Gieringer, Rosenthal and Carter 39). Additionally, some women use marijuana to treat the nausea of morning sickness even with in mind that such a practice tremendously exposes the unborn child to the adverse effects. Gieringer, Rosenthal and Carter however notes that the health effects on cannabis on a developing fetus is by far not serious compared to the effects of some of the drugs such a alcohol and tobacco that women use during pregnancy (51).
Concisely, there is need for the legalization of marijuana on the grounds that its prohibition, besides making governments to incur unnecessary expenses, was unfounded. Efforts to keep marijuana out of the streets have only ended up infringing on several constitutional rights of citizens for instance the right to privacy. Besides, empirical researches keep on affirming more and more benefits of marijuana hence validating the need for its legalization.
Works Cited
Bello, Joan. The Benefits of Marijuana: Physical, Psychological, and Spiritual. Susquehanna, Pa: Lifeservices Press, 2008. Print.
Gieringer, Dale H, Ed Rosenthal, and Gregory T. Carter. Marijuana Medical Handbook: Practical Guide to the Therapeutic Uses of Marijuana. Oakland, Calif: Quick American, 2008. Print.
Holland, Julie. The Pot Book: A Complete Guide to Cannabis : Its Role in Medicine, Politics, Science, and Culture. Rochester, VT: Park Street Press, 2010. Print.
Rosenthal, Ed, Steve Kubby, and S Newhart. Why Marijuana Should Be Legal. Philadelphia: Running Press, 2003. Print.
Thornton, Mark. The Economics of Prohibition. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1991. Print.
