A Research Proposal to Investigate Whether Legalization of Marijuana is Good
Introduction
For long time marijuana, a product of cannabis sativa tree has been perceived as having
negative effects to some individuals, while to others it is seen as beneficial. Marijuana use started
in china before the coming of Christ. Since then, it has been illegalized by many authorities in
different parts of the world. Majority of countries in the world condemns the idea that marijuana
can be legalized due to its adverse effects on people. Legalization of marijuana is a sensitive
subject to discuss. Individuals have deviating ideas on the benefits and negative impacts
associated with use of marijuana. Discussion of this topic is embraced with strong arguments
with both parties trying to convince each other they right. No party always wins these heated
discussions as the side with majority at that moment wins (Newton, 2013). However, these
arguments exceeds the personal level thus including nations, states federal governments and
counties. These states have fought against each other for many years on whether to make it legal
or not.
Marijuana is very advantageous to the society which many people have not yet known.
Some people believe that it should be legalized to provide medical assistance and also for
recreational reasons. Consequently, this is a highly puzzling issue which is being discussed and
debated countrywide. Significantly, marijuana is measured by the efficiency and effectiveness of
the medicine produced. For more than three thousand years, people have used marijuana to heal
diseases according to national institute of health (Fischer & Crépault 2016). However, the drug
has not been decree to be effective and safe in healing diseases. There are developments toward
legalization of marijuana due to beliefs that it cures multiple diseases when used as a drug.
Consequently, there is not scientific research that has shown the effectiveness of using the drug
to cure diseases accurately without mild side effects. Due to ethical and moral values of some
societies, marijuana legalization is not much advocated for. They believe it will erode these
moral when members are negatively affected.
In the united states of America opposition concerning marijuana legalization has been
declining since 1985. Almost half of Americans believed that marijuana should not be illegal
anymore. Nevertheless, these were general opinions from vast population of the whole America.
There are variations when it comes to individual states. Liberal states are mostly the ones which
have these arguments and opinions on the legalization of marijuana (Newton, 2013). Mississippi,
for instance, is beginning to change it status on its stand concerning this issue.
Different states in America have legalized marijuana. For instance, Columbia district
have made availability of cannabis for recreational and medical reasons. Additionally, marijuana
supply is currently increasing in many parts of United States. This situation has been effected by
its legalization in some states of America, making it easier for people to access it. Nevertheless,
the increased use has raised a lot of concern on the health of the public. Arguably, there are
various benefits accruing from legalized marijuana including healing diseases and relaxation
during recreational period. However, other people belief that mariuana has more harmful effects
on individuals than the benefits. According to national institute of drug abuse, marijuana abuse
can lead to illnesses such as lung infections, heart diseases, and addition which is very hard to
control (Fischer & Crépault 2016). Currently, leagalization of marijuana is being seen as a
possible situation given its benefits in treatment facilities. People from states where marijuana is illegal believes that the government misuses the taxpayers money by arresting cannabis users and
prosecuting therm. They believe that when it is legalized the government will earn revenues from
its sale. Contrary, others believe that when it is legalized it will lead to more ham then when
illegalized.
There are some arguments regarding the effects of marijuana in the society. Individuals
fear that its legalization will bring forth similar effects as alcohol consumption in the society. A
lot of people belief that if the government legalizes the drug it must set an age limit which will
defer young people from accessing it. However it is very hard to prohibit them from consuming
it when it is readily available. They will find their ways of acquiring it. Arguably, people believe
that marijuana has caused a lot of accidents since it impairs judgment and affects coordination of
the brain (Kilmer & MacCoun 2017). Studies show that effects of marijuana depend on the
individual capabilities to control themselves.
Age and maturity of people affect how they react when under influence of marijuana.
Some arguments indicate that some individuals are unable to control themselves when they are
not under marijuana influence, if it is legalized, and those people uses it, it is very hard to predict
how they will react. Arguably, these arguments lead to unending debate on whether to legalize
marijuana or to keep it illegal. Moreover, both parties always have viable points concerning how
they really feel about the drug. To validate these claims, a study carried out indicated that there
are a lot of people who use marijuana but relate well with people (Kilmer & MacCoun 2017). So,
it shows that many individuals use the drug and live among members of the society without
causing any harm or negative effect.
It is very important to understand the effects that lead to illegalization of marijuana in
some parts of the world. Although some parts of the United States have made consumption and
selling of marijuana legal, other parts see it as a really bad idea. If provided with accurate
information about the effects of marijuana, it will be very easy for governments to make decision
whether to legalize it or not. If the effects will be negative, illegalization will be the only
solution. Marijuana contradiction on whether to legalize it has become a worldwide problem
which requires an urgent solution.
Research Question
To what extent has benefits of marijuana facilitated to its legalization?
Literature Review
This section reviews the past and recent studies conducted by researchers in relation to
legalization of marijuana, it effects and benefits. It entails also the contradicting ideas between
individuals, the areas agreed upon and evaluation of these ideas in determining whether
legalization of marijuana is good. Additionally, it provides the reasons why further studies are
recommended.
Use of marijuana has dated back fifty centuries ago. It was believed to have been an
ingredient in the manufacture of holy used to anoint leaders or kings in exodus, Hebrew version.
General inflammation and glaucoma were some of ailments treated by marijuana in ancient
Egypt and Greece. Herodotus, a Greek historian, elaborated that marijuana should be smoked for
emotional, spiritual, and recreation reasons. He also encouraged group smoking terming it as
bringing togetherness and pleasure (Newton, 2013). In, 2900BC, an emperor of china, fu his
said that cannabis should be a famous medicine. By 100 AD, Chinese had discovered
approximately hundred applications of marijuana in medical sector.
Indians, in 1000 BC developed medicine known as bhang. Bhang was a mixture of milk,
marijuana and various ingredients. Moreover, they believed it could cure anesthetic and anti-
phlegmatic infections. Additionally, leprosy was also healed using cannabis, as even today, the
Indians use bhang for medicinal purposes. Significantly, the ancient Indians believed that it
could also reduce fever, improve cognition and judgment, and encourage sleep thus prolonging
their lifespan. In Indian, the Hindu religion believes that Shiva is the lord of bhang. This was
after Shiva eta marijuana leaves while resting under the tree. Roman empire, in 70 AD, described
cannabis as cure to reduce desire for sex and earache (Kilmer & MacCoun 2017). They also used
the boiled roots of cannabis to for treating pain, gout, and arthritis.
Use of marijuana in America dates back in century where cannabis plant was applied in
production of sails clothing and ropes. For instance, assembly of Virginia passed a law that
encouraged growing of marijuana (hemp tree). During that time states traded cannabis legally as
a commodity for exchange. George Washington, in his journal, had questions about the
legitimacy of cannabis in its application as a medicine. By 1906, a law was passed in drug and
food act which advocated for labeling of drugs that contained marijuana. Up till 1914 cannabis
was legally used as medicine until 26 states prohibited public use of marijuana. This was after
the drug was termed as Mexican menace due to its side effects. Media began preaching against
public use of marijuana saying that it resulted in violence and criminal acts. Campaigns began to
illegalize marijuana use in the United States of America. Controlled substance act was passed in
1970 which scheduled marijuana in the same category as heroin. Marijuana venders and users
started being arrested and convicted (Kilmer & MacCoun 2017). Nevertheless, some states did
not illegalize the drug despite the harmful effects it was believed to cause.
Laws enacted against cannabis growing, acquisition and usage in the United States since
20 century. These laws have severely affected growing of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
Some laws allow for voluntary treatment programs to provide marijuana to recreational purposes
to the affected users (Newton, 2013). Use or possession of marijuana in some parts of the world,
particularly Asia can lead to life sentence or even death. In some countries such as Thailand and
china, nonprofit organizations, political parties, and recreational organizations have been
established to campaign for legalization of marijuana specifically for medicinal purposes.
There has been existence of controversies concerning legalization of marijuana recently
in the United States. Some individuals have related marijuana with lazy, unmotivated and
addicted youths. Opinion of the public has been changing every time. Recent research indicates
that in 2013, 58 percent of United States citizens were in support of marijuana legalization
compared to 1961 study which showed 12 percent of Americans supported the idea (Schwartz,
2017). Proposers of the idea have brought forth viable reasons why marijuana should be
legalized. However the side effects remain to the concern in the community.
Some reasons behind advocating for legalization of marijuana should be considered as
witnessed in recent studies. Such reasons include; cannabis has been applied by individuals as
cure for various infections for many centuries even before it was illegalized. For instance it
increases appetite and reduces nausea which has helped aids and cancer victims a lot. Secondly,
some states in the United States have legalized marijuana making it easy to access it transfer it to
the neighbor stats. This makes the illegalization laws futile. Furthermore, use of marijuana as a medicine does not always advocate for smoking. Drugs companies and pharmaceuticals use the
THC present in cannabis to manufacture pills (Fischer & Crépault 2016). A research showed that
these pills give a long lasting reduction of pain making them more appealing than smoking.
Additionally, epilepsy treatment uses cannabis oil. These developed forms of marijuana reduce
the side effects of cannabis in humans making it appropriate to be preferred against other drugs
(Fischer & Crépault 2016). The study continues to explain the possibility for future application
in marijuana based medications for sclerosis, neuropathic pain and more infections.
If marijuana is legalized its sales lead to revenue generations. For instance, Washington
and Colorado, the first states to legalize marijuana taxes sale and production of the drugs.
Wholesale tax levied amounts to 15% while retail tax is 10% in Colorado. Similarly Washington
has planned to levy 25% tax on marijuana production, supply and sales (Schwartz, 2017).
Arguably, comparing the positive impacts and negative effects of marijuana, according to studies
conducted, positive impacts seem to be more than negative effects. This puts marijuana
controversy in a puzzling situation.
In spite of many divergent views and arguments, it is evident that marijuana legalization
might cause more good than harm or negative effects. Study from the literature has provided
phases which led to illegalization of marijuana in most states in United States and other parts of
the world. As observed in the previous studies marijuana had many uses both as a medicine, for
religious purposes and also as a way of bringing people together in the community. Many people
have benefited from legalization of marijuana despite campaigns for its illegalization.
Illegalizing marijuana indicates negligence of historical believes and religion. For instance, it
affects the Hindu religion because, as evident in the past research materials, they see one of their
gods as the lord of bhang (Kilmer & MacCoun 2017). The concept if illegalizing marijuana is contradictory to the information acquired from the past literature, comparing the impacts of
marijuana both positive and negative. It is important to conduct a further research which will put
into light if marijuana should really be legalized.
Research Methodology
A qualitative research methodology is recommended in conducting this research.
Questionnaires and interview will be used to collect information from the target population. It
will comprise of medical professionals and the public from states that have legalized marijuana,
and the ones that have illegalized it. Arguably, this will provide thorough analysis of the views
given by targeted parties, and clear recommendations concerning legalization of marijuana. If the
positive impacts will be more the negative effects marijuana should be legalized.
