The Marijuana Debate. Why Marijuana Must Be Legalized

Essay from the year 2016 in the subject Law - Public Law / Constitutional Law / Basic Rights, grade: 2, Egerton University, language: English, abstract: This research paper will give justifications for the legalization of marijuana. Currently, there is an endless debate on whether the use of marijuana should be legalized. However, some few countries have, so far, legalized the use of marijuana: not only for medical use, but for general use just like tobacco. From the scientific as well as economic perspectives, marijuana seems to have enormous benefits, although many people view its benefits from the social perspective which make it appear unethical. Nevertheless, marijuana remain a highly productive ‘crop’ which holds economic and health benefits just like any other Agricultural crop cultivated for its usefulness to human beings elsewhere. Legalization of marijuana means that the current prohibition on its use in the US Constitution will be lifted to allow public use of the herb and its products. However, the legalization of marijuana may require an overhaul review of the US Constitution because; there are series of enactments and regulations, which prohibit public use of marijuana. Historically, legislations illegalizing marijuana began with the Opium Act of 1908, although this Act was framed as statement. Later on, the Opium Act was amended to demystify its legal implication. Today, there are numerous legislations, which prohibit marijuana use, although some US States have legalized the production of medical marijuana.