television show in 1973. At the time Buckley was quoted to say, "There were a half-million
arrests due to pot use in 1973 respectively -this makes the realization that there has been a
breakdown in communication between the public and the police". Over two
decades later, Buckley's words still ring true today. Just eight years later an author speaking on
the legalization of marijuana summed up the feelings of "anti-pot laws activists" by saying,
"Decriminalization is supported by an increasing number of responsible persons who are
seeking a rational and humane solution to an issue too long dominated by myth, emotion and
misunderstanding".
A professor of psychology named Ethen A. Nadelmann is in favor of legalizing marijuana in
America because he feels that current marijuana control policies are costly and ineffective in
combating drug problems. He argues in the book Clashing Views, that more emphasis should
be put on addictive drug treatment instead of on marijuana prohibition. "In terms of a criminal
justice approach to the drug problem, everything we have done in the past, are doing now, and
are talking about in the future is inherently limited in its effectiveness against the fundamental
problem of drug abuse".
Government spending is the major reason for the many Americans that are pushing for the
legalization of pot. The National Clearinghouse on Smoking and Health states, "The federal
government spent $1 billion on marijuana enforcement in 1980 and about $5 billion in 1990.
State and local spent between $3 and 4 billion in 1980 which means they may now be
spending $10 billion presently". Basically, legalization would give the
government more control over the purity and potency of the marijuana that it would allow the
international drug trade to be regulated more effectively. In the book entitled Drug Abuse John
Clifton-Marquis quotes:
"The problems, hurts, and difficulties that definitely result from legalized drugs will be far less
numerous and less destructive to the whole society than the theft, bribery, violence, murder,
mayhem, and self- degradation than our daily bread in the U.S. today. U.S. citizens must have
the integrity and the honesty to keep in the forefront of their minds that they are not preventing
addiction to crack or any other drug at this time. The current methods are not working."
Over the past few decades, many credible minds have stated their concern about the
outrageous spending of the government on enforcing marijuana laws. All of these minds have
come to the same conclusion, which is to legalize marijuana.
A view of the health aspects of the plant and its ingredients can be explained by a pamphlet
written by The College of Physicians and Surgeons in their Complete Home Medical Guide.
The pamphlet reads, "Marijuana is derived from the plant Cannabis Sativa (the hemp plant) and
can be put in foods and eaten, but generally smoked in cigarette form or 'joint'." The active
ingredient in the plant is delta-9 - tetrahydrocannibinol (THC). The author of this pamphlet, Herbert Kleber
answers the question pondering every mind concerning the addicting powers of
the plant in his quote saying, "It does not produce physical addiction but dependence may
psychologically result with long term use". Kleber's further research talks of how
the plant can be a main factor in causing bronchitis, but states that this is only a proposed
theory and unproved at today's date. He does note that the plant "will enter the woman's
bloodstream through the placenta during pregnancy. Evidence indicates the plant is transferred
to breast milk. This could cause spontaneous abortion and babies born at a lower weight".
Another argument that is being strongly battled presently in San Diego, California and most
other states is whether marijuana should be legalized for medical use because of its positive
influence for several diseases. A story in a 1994 issue of AIDS Weekly had city councilwoman
Christin Kehoe on record saying, "We support the medicinal use of marijuana".
The proposed resolution for the government to legalize the plant states, "marijuana can be a
drug of 'necessity' in the treatment of glaucoma, cancer, AIDS, and multiple sclerosis. The
Public Services and Safety Committee heard testimony from cancer and glaucoma patients who
said, "marijuana lessens side effects of chemotherapy and nausea". It has been
proven by a team of doctors, who are credited for their pamphlet The Complete Home
Medical Guide, that "marijuana lowers the eye pressure drastically when used causing
immediate and positive results for those suffering from glaucoma disease". The
nausea and pain that is brought upon by the characteristics of cancer, AIDS, and multiple
sclerosis has also been proven by the same team of physicians that the plant relaxes and
soothes the patients that suffer from these diseases. So basically, this information provided the
facts contained in the proposed resolution from the inhabitants of the San Diego area for their
fight for legalizing the controversial plant.
All of the previous quotes and research from the influential minds indicate that the legalization of
marijuana in the United States would drastically reduce crime in our cities and form a more
productive society through its positive uses. In accomplishing these goals we are bettering our
nation and making society safer for future children in America.. The fact remains, though, that
alcohol and tobacco, which are two "proven addictive" drugs, remain legal in our nation today,
whereas marijuana, a proven "non-addictive drug", is statistically shown to have not caused a
death from overdose since its existence to the present date. It appears as though the legislative
decisions concerning marijuana law policy is unbalanced, but our nation will never conserve
funds due to government spending, and our medical treatments will never totally be as effective
without the unconditional legalization of the Cannabis Sativa plant, otherwise known as
marijuana.
Works Cited
Bender, David. Drug Abuse; Opposing Viewpoints.
New York: Green Press, 1994.
Buckley, William. "End the Pot Penalties". The Washington Star News 10 November 1974: C4
Goldberg, Raymond. Taking Sides; Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Drugs and Society. New York:
The Dushkin Publishing Group, Inc., 1993.
Henderson, Charles. "Council Committee Urges Easing on Marijuana Laws". AIDS Weekly, 21 February
1994: p. 6.
Kleber, Herbert. "Marijuana-Health Aspects". The Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Complete Medical Guide. Edition 3, 1995: p. 139.
Price, Thomas. "Legalization of Marijuana". Christian Century [Omaha]. 16 May 1981 : B5.