Decriminalization of Marijuana

Marijuana is a recreational psychoactive drug obtained from the leaves of the cannabis plant, which are usually smoked, but can also be eaten, e.g. by being baked in brownies or cookies. Its use is restricted by law because it is an intoxicant, and it has variably been outlawed as such, and by being classified with narcotics as an illicit drug (Medical). It has been used in medicine because it has been found to have anti-emetic effects, to decrease intraocular pressure, to relieve pain, and to relieve muscle spasticity.

Between 1973 and 1978, 11 states effectively decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana because of more liberal public attitudes towards the drug (The Effects). The impact of these changes has had no effect on the use of marijuana. The criminalization of marijuana possession results in a stigma on the offender which may impact the rest of their lives, making it difficult to get a job, for instance. It also affects the attitudes of the offenders towards the criminal justice system adversely. Decriminalization saves time, money, and promotes a better outlook on the justice system by offenders who can pay a fine, and do not have to worry about having a criminal record to haunt them for the rest of their lives.

At a 2003 hearing on the proposal that Massachusetts reform its laws on marijuana possession and treat it as civil misconduct rather than a crime, with a fine of $100 for possession, legislators and community members felt this would

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He cites the studies by the Canadian Senate's Special Committee on Illegal Drugs, the British House of Lords, and President Richard Nixon's National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse, all of which concluded that criminalization of marijuana could not be justified on medical grounds. Medically, marijuana has been shown to reduce the nausea associated with chemotherapy for cancer and the nausea associated with AIDS or from the use of AIDS medications (Medical). It has also been found beneficial in the treatment of glaucoma to reduce intraocular pressure, in multiple sclerosis to limit muscle pain and spasticity, to prevent epileptic seizures in some forms of epilepsy, and for the relief of chronic, debilitating pain in many disorders and injuries. It was reclassified by the DEA in 1999 to make it more easily available for these patients. The oral preparation is ideal when long duration is needed, such as when used to combat delayed-onset nausea and vomiting (i.e. in chemotherapy) and for treating protracted pain, but the rapid onset of effects gained by smoking marijuana may be more applicable in other medical situations (Martin). D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana, both smoked and oral

Category: Government - D