Running head: LET THEM SMOKE WEED!

Let Them Smoke Weed! Baylie McDougal Engl 1213-078 Assignment 4 19 April 2013

Let Them Smoke Weed! Grass, weed, pot, Mary Jane, and cannabis are all terms that refer to the same plant: marijuana. Traditional views associated with marijuana are very negative when it comes to the effects of peoples actions and the damage that may result. Despite the image that is identified with this drug, specifically its recreational use, the modern world applies the opposite view. Those who are educated on the proper uses and benefits of marijuana are attempting to educate the public and get the state and federal law to understand and agree with their views. Trying to shine a new light on the controversial subject can be tricky, and so far only Colorado and Washington have figured out a way around the obstacles in order to make this drug legal. Marijuana should be legalized federally because the health benefits and medical uses of the drug outweigh the cost; the ability of drug sales will increase tax revenue and further improve the economy, and societys ethical obligation includes providing patients with chronic illnesses the proper medication. Throughout the most recent decades, marijuana has obtained a bad reputation. Scientists researched, and continue to do so, the medical applications of marijuana and have concluded it has functional uses. What a majority of people may overlook is the history of the marijuana plant itself and its usage in the past. Marijuana has had medical purposes dating all the way back to ancient civilizations in regions such as India, China, Greece, Rome, and Africa. Marijuana, known as cannabis during this time period, was used to treat illnesses and to improve the wellbeing of those in discomfort throughout the Roman Empire (Serbay, 2012). It was not until the second century AD that people discovered its beneficial usage during surgical procedures. In Europe in 1839, a mixture of cannabis and alcohol tonic was used to treat tetanus, rabies, and convulsions, which is rooted back to ancient Roman uses (Serbay, 2012). Once the method of

using marijuana for asthma, childbirth, and migraines had been discovered, it began to become a prescribed medication. However, by this time, newer, more advanced medications had been developed and those of the Victorian era were among the last people to use marijuana for such conditions (Serbay, 2012). Medical applications of marijuana were acceptable until the government felt the compelling need to get involved. In the early 1900s, groups of Mexicans and immigrants from the West Indies were among the minority of those that became affiliated with the violent stereotype associated with marijuana (Serbay, 2012). It was at the beginning of the twentieth century that government began to attach a repugnant reputation with any of the minorities or subcultures. Starting with Texas in 1919, where marijuana users referred to the drug as loco weed, the government focused on this minority group and began to pull back the reins regarding the legal stances of marijuana (Serbay, 2012). Succumbing to peer-pressure, over half of the United States decided to follow suit and their legal regulations became more and more strict. The abuse of the drug was linked to Prohibitionists, typically including African Americans and Hispanics, where crime was often seen as an unacceptable result (Serbay, 2012). This misguided information spread like wild fire and the medical applications of marijuana came to an end. It was not until the recreational usage in the 1960s that marijuana became popular again and seen as an aide for cancer patients. Since the federal government still required strict legal restrictions, doctors could not prescribe the drug because it was then illegal, and the lack of participation lead to a depreciation of marijuanas medical uses. Marijuana was placed under the category of a Schedule I drug by the Federal Controlled Substance Act of 1970, which implied that this drug had no medical applications and was highly susceptible to abuse (Serbay, 2012). Since the federal law had gotten involved, proper research and experiments were never conducted, leaving

the majority of people to believe that marijuana was the causation of such negative results. Dr. William C. Woodward did not agree with the political view or believe that the government should interfere with such medical utilization, and research by the New York Academy of Medicine proved marijuana did not present any immediate dangers, nor was it addictive (Serbay, 2012). While doctors and scientists have yet to absolutely confirm or deny the addictive qualities of marijuana due to government restrictions, they have proved that the drug contains therapeutic effects. With this thought in mind, the government allowed doctors to prescribe Marinol to their patients. Marinol is a synthetic, manmade form of the chemicals found in marijuana (Stiefel, 1997). Doctors who believe that marijuana could benefit a patient are encouraged to prescribe Marinol first to see if it sufficiently suits their needs before recommending marijuana. While marijuana contains over 400 chemical ingredients, Marinol only consists of few of these fundamental elements and does not produce the same effects in most patients (Stiefel, 1997). The majority of patients with Marinol prescriptions are dissatisfied with their results. They complain that the slower process is not nearly as effective as marijuana, and the high from Marinol often makes it difficult to function (Cotts, 1999). Another problem with Marinol is that those who suffer from nausea may not be able to keep a pill, such as Marinol, in their system long enough to take effect. The ultimate goals of marijuana are to relieve patients pain, increase appetite, or aide in the treatment of nausea. In 1999, forty-four percent of doctors had suggested marijuana to at least one of their patients going through the process of chemotherapy (Stiefel, 1997). This fairly high percentage insinuates that there must be some effective chemical in marijuana that is producing these results. Medical marijuana has also been shown to relieve headache pain, reduce

epileptic seizures, and even prevent glaucoma (Stiefel, 1997). These benefits of medical marijuana are possible if the substance is used in the proper manner. Abuse of the drug or long term excessive use can have negative effects. Those who smoke heavy doses are susceptible to anxiety and may experience paranoid thoughts (Stiefel, 1997). This drug may also hamper a persons balance or their reaction time may become slower (Stiefel, 1997). The result of these ramifications is the possibility that it would hinder ones driving performance. A long term effect shown from frequent users is that it may damage their immune system allowing them to be more prone to contracting colds or diseases. Patients put their lives, trust and faith into their doctors who provide them with accurate medical care and medicine, ultimately resulting in the overall improvement of ones health. However, the extent to which medical professionals will consider what may be best for the patient and what the patient may request can differ. A small example of a case like this may be a simple procedure for removing wisdom teeth. Some patients may prefer to be awake during the surgery and have the surgeon simply just numb their mouth, while others would much rather prefer to be put under with anesthesia and be asleep during the whole procedure. While this seems like a possible option for patients, there are certain cases where ones wisdom teeth may be too deep and the patient has to be put to sleep regardless of his or her preferences. In this case, the decision by the doctor seems fairly simple; they must choose the best option in order to properly conduct the surgery. It is when a doctor must decide what type of medicine to prescribe to a patient that the situation becomes more complex and complicated. For most, when the illness becomes more life threatening and difficult, so do the medications and the side effects of such strong medicines.

As much as society would like to believe that all of those in the medical field are in the profession simply out of the goodness of their hearts, in reality, there are some who choose this title for the money or the power instead. The ethical obligation of a doctor is the duty to do no harm; they are there to provide the best care for those in need regardless of how much the doctor may or may not personally benefit (Gillon, 1985). Patients who have been diagnosed with chronic illnesses such as cancer or HIV have a wide variety of medications and treatments and each solution needs the proper amount of consideration depending on the patient. It would almost seem irrational for doctors to completely discard medical marijuana as an option for treatment when it could greatly benefit the patient. Medical marijuana can be a logical solution to treat illnesses in such cases as long as it is used in the correct context and not abused by the consumer. Another moral duty within the medical profession is for doctors to fulfill the role of being concerned for not only the clients under their care, but also the entire public, and the patients of the future (Gillon, 1985). Government involvement, in regards to the reputation and political concerns of marijuana, should not stop medical professionals and researchers to fully explore the potential medical benefits of marijuana. Denying patients in need of such medications that would benefit them would be highly unethical. In addition to these health benefits, the legalization of marijuana would create a significant profit in regards to tax revenue. Once this product becomes properly legalized, there is no doubt that it should become a taxable product. If this drug become a mass market product, then it would not only profit the economy at large, but also local communities. An estimated thirty-five to forty-five billion dollars a year is what the entire United States marijuana market potentially contains (Gill S.L., 2010). This not only includes the medical market, but the entire market as a whole, which only expands our countrys horizon. California alone possesses a large

enough marijuana market to produce two hundred million dollars in regards to medical marijuana (Gill S.L., 2010). This appraisal definitely had members of society reconsidering their pessimistic views on marijuana. Other states began to catch on and also decided to legalize marijuana for medical purposes. During 2010, 14 states legalized medical dispensaries in order to accumulate the benefit of such a drug that is becoming so wildly popular (Gill S.L., 2010). The city of Berkely, California has recently voted on applying a two and a half percent tax on their marijuana outlets and dispensaries. Mayor Tom Bates comments on Californias nineteen million dollar acquisition that resulted from this taxation of only three of their dispensaries, which he explains is a tremendous help in aiding their sixteen billion dollar gap, amongst other benefits (Palmeri, 2010). States like California are even pondering the thought of extending legal marijuana to not only include medical purposes, but also for recreational use. In order for the recreational usage of marijuana to take place, cities would need to vote on Proposition 19 which will allow them to tax and regulate one ounce or less of the drug for such purposes (Palmeri, 2010). Marijuana has been compared to similar substances such as tobacco or alcohol. All of these substances can have an intoxicating effect on ones body and mind, and yet, tobacco and alcohol are perfectly acceptable, legal, and taxable products. Users of these products describe that it is fairly common to mix marijuana in with their tobacco before smoking it; therefore comparing marijuana sales to that of tobacco provides logical reasoning (Clements, 2010). Data from Australia, where around one-third of the population has tried marijuana, explain that their marijuana sales are double the outcome of their wine sales (Clements, 2010). If marijuana is legalized, society may choose to react in a few different ways: some users may decide to increase their intake since possession would no longer be illegal, and others may decrease marijuana

usage simply because it is no longer forbidden and off limits. According to data from the Australian Bureau of Criminal Intelligence, this possible shift is minute compared to the massive market and colossal tax that it would hardly make an impact (Clements, 2010). The possible profit from taxed marijuana can only lead to a larger market than the preexisting one. Once businesses begin to turn over a profit, entrepreneurs will quickly catch on, and by all means, will be sure to get involved. Not only will business men and women be able to make a nice chunk of change, but manufacturing and shipping that will be required to distribute the drug should also be taken into consideration. Pharmaceutical branches also have the opportunity to expand since they will play the important role of preparing the marijuana plant into practical medication for doctors to prescribe to patients. Norton Arbelaez, a founding member of Medical Marijuana Industry Group (MMIG) and the owner of two marijuana dispensaries, finds himself interested in teaming up with politicians and law enforcement to legalize marijuana (Dokoupil, 2012). In Colorado there is approximately one million square feet of warehouses devoted to growing and distributing marijuana. Throughout these warehouses, whether the cannabis is being harvested or processed, this plant is growing in a pure, sanitary and controlled manner. Colorado alone employs over 4,000 workers, many of who produce a salary in the six figure range, which contains an array of jobs such as contractors, gardening wholesalers, business consultants, and even software developers (Dokoupil, 2012). Even real estate has a practical place in this business by selling or leasing the land for companies to grow and manufacture the plant. Companies such as those belonging to Norton Arbelaez, are executed in a very proficient approach. His operation warehouses are constantly available to authorities and consist of security cameras and inventory reports so that every ounce of the plant is accounted for (Dokoupil, 2012). Arbelaezs hopes his intentions and efforts of great trust with

authorities and law enforcement will achieve his goal in expanding the marijuana market and providing proper medical care to those in need. Government involvement plays a crucial role in the legalization of marijuana. While some in congress claim how the taxes from medical marijuana make a large contribution to a states debt, others are wearier of the drug and only recognize the community of users who use marijuana for recreational purposes and choose to abuse it. While there is a population of those who abuse the drug for personal use, they should not represent the entire marijuana community and give it an unacceptable reputation. This type of notoriety is detrimental to the progress of marijuana, concerning societys stance and the legal processes. Of course any product that contains such risks are bound to have regulations and limits set by the government and law enforcement, not only for societys safety, but also for the improvement of the economy. While Colorado and Washington have made marijuana legal, Uncle Sam does not agree with their views and continue to keep the drug illegal on a federal level. Basically starting from scratch, Colorado and Washington have to create and establish the legal processes and procedures to turn the black market of marijuana into a commercial market (Weiss, 2013). This process was not achieved overnight and these two states began making changes over ten years ago. This is also a likely trend that will be occurring in other states throughout the future according to Andy Ko, a leader of the Open Society Foundation's Campaign for a New Drug Policy, Marijuana reform is going to happen in this country as older voters fade away and younger voters show up," (Weiss, 2013). Since marijuana is a substance that could possibly be abused by some users and contains negative side effects from abuse, lawmakers have to create restrictions and regulations to enforce the publics safety. The states of Colorado and Washington have legalized medical marijuana

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and even eliminated jail time for possessing small amounts of marijuana (Weiss, 2013). Those who have been arrested for simple possession of marijuana, where it is illegal, is charged as a misdemeanor and filed on their city or state criminal record. If indicted more than once for possession of marijuana a felony charge will appear on their criminal record. Possession of marijuana accounts for nearly half of all drug crimes in the United States, eighty-seven percent of which is a minor crime that may cause major problems and repercussions later on in a persons life (Gwynne, 2013). Depending on ones time of arrest for possession, employers could hold this against a person which could affect their probability of getting a job. Similar to alcohol, other restrictions regarding marijuana cite that those who buy or consume marijuana must be twenty-one and is illegal to drive under the influence of marijuana (Von Drehle, 2012). Marijuana can also not be smoked in public places or on any college or universities, whether it is legal throughout the state or not (Von Drehle, 2012). With the expansion of legal marijuana there are sure to be more laws in regard to distribution and taxation. Society used to think of marijuana as a gateway drug that had no beneficial applications. But within the past decade, research suggests that marijuana can absolutely have a multitude of constructive functions. The drug can have medical purposes as well as being therapeutic. While there are synthetic substitutions available, such as Marinol, it cannot completely replicate the effects of marijuana and is not typically preferred. Researchers have noted that marijuana aids in the treatment of nausea, increases appetite, and relieves pain. Denying patients that are in need of such medication would be considered unethical. Taxation on this product would result in relieving state and local debt. It has already made progress by closing financial gaps in states like California where they have placed a tax on medical marijuana. While a majority of the data has come from the legalized medical marijuana market alone, there is no doubt that the entire market

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as a whole possess a multitude of prosperous opportunities supporting the economy. Society should not succumb and allow a group of users who abuse marijuana continue to give the drug such a negative reputation, nor should they be so strongly influenced by the governments view. Instead, they should be properly educated and form their own rational opinions regarding this controversial substance. With two states blazing the trail by legalizing marijuana, and public acceptance of the drug on an upward trajectory, it's clear state lawmakers will be grappling with the social, economic and political ramifications of cannabis for some time (Weiss, 2013).

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References Clements, K., Yihui, L., & Xueyan, Z. (2010). The demand for marijuana, tobacco and alcohol: inter-commodity interactions with uncertainty. Empirical Economics, 39(1), 203-239. doi:10.1007/s00181-009-0302-x. Cotts, C. (1999). Marijuana made easy. Nation, 269(8), 44. Dokoupil, T. (2012). High times in America. (Cover story). Newsweek, 160(18), 26-31. Gill, S. L., Fleming, D. M., & Whittenburg, G. E. (2010). Medical marijuana tax issues: Federal state law conflict. Practical Tax Strategies, 85(2), 82-86. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/749399251?accountid=4117 Gillon, R. (Jul. 6, 1985). Beneficence: Doing good for others. British Medical Journal (Clinical Research Edition), Vol. 291, No. 6487 (Jul. 6, 1985), pp. 44-45. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/29519793 Gwynne, K. (2013). Turning the tide on drug reform. Nation, 296(7), 22-24. Palmeri, C. B. (2010). The latest fiscal buzz? Medical marijuana. Bloomberg Businessweek, (4188), 35-36. Serbay, S. A. (2012). Medical marijuana final project: Review of history, alternative positions, and government position. State University of New York Empire State College). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, , 53. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1152022376?accountid=4117. Stiefel, C. (1997). Marijuana on the ballot. Science World, 53(10), 8.

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Von Drehle, D. (2012). Grass roots. Time, 180(26), 32. Weiss, S. (2013). Legally green. State Legislatures, 39(2), 14.