The Use of Marijuana

Many studies have shown that over 83 million Americans over the

age of 12 have tried Marijuana. It is said that marijuana is the most

used illegal substance in the United States. A poll documented that

about 50 percent of 18 - 25 year old's use this drug, 53 percent of

people between the ages of 35 - 49 use it and about 49 percent of

26-34 year old's. Reports show that the incarceration rate for having

the possession of marijuana has doubled since the year 1991 and in

2007, there were 5 times more blacks arrested for possession of marijuana compared to hispanics and whites. In 2012, Colorado and

the state of Washington, legalized the use of Marijuana for recreational use. Now the whole country is asking the question "Should The United States legalize the use of Marijuana?". And Is this legally Right or

Morally Wrong? President Obama in an interview addressed this issue, concerning The legalization Of Marijuana. He stated this in his Interview;

" Legalizing Marijuana In America, Is This Legally Right

or Morally Wrong ? "

"Well, I wouldn't go that far. But what I think is that, at this point, Washington and Colorado, you've seen the voters speak on this issue. And as it is, the federal government has a lot to do when it comes to criminal prosecutions. It does not make sense from a prioritization point of view for us to focus on recreational drug users in a state that has already said that under state law that's legal. ..that this is a tough problem because Congress has not yet changed the law. I head up the executive branch; we're supposed to be carrying out laws. And so what we're going to need to have is a conversation about how do you reconcile a federal law that still says marijuana is a federal offense and state laws that say that it's legal. ... It makes sense for us to look at how we can make sure that our kids are discouraged from using drugs and engaging in substance abuse generally. There is more work we can do on the public health side and the treatment side." - President Obama ( Interview with Barbara Walters)

(Click Cannabis photo above to view full Interview with Barbara Walters)

Is Marijuana really proven to help medical purposes

Marijuana is mostly grown and widely spread throughout India, Central

Asia and China. Other regions known for growing this weed are Jamaica,

Mexico and Colomibia. Marijuana is the dried leaves and flowers of the

hemp Cannabis plant, and is most commonly known as pot, herb, weed,

Mary Jane, reefer, and so many other names. The Cannabis contains the

chemical compound THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol). This THC is a

psychoactive constituent, which is basically a chemical substance that

crosses the blood-brain barrier and acts primarily upon the central nervous system where it affects brain function, resulting in alterations in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition and behavior. Then the question arises, is this substance extremely harmful or not so, that question has to be answered by doctors. But the fact that a substance can alter your thinking, perception and consciousness; in my opinion is rightful wrong. So many people use this drug, and it has been said that Marijuana is used for medical purposes. Well in 2011, The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) ruled that marijuana has “no accepted medical use” and should therefore remain illegal under federal law. Others say that from the use of it; Society is just showing a decrease in mental ability and moral consciousness. But many people argue the fact that Marijuana Is the lesser

of two sins, compared to the use of alcohol, tobacco and other substances.

Either way each are defective.

"Government Speaks out About " The Legalization

Of Marijuana". Should Government pass a Federal Law to Legalize

Marijuana in America? What are your thoughts and concerns? Do you feel

that this legalization will change society for the better or for the worst?

- Sarah Alston

01/2014

Editorial Imprint

®