Marijuana in the United States- Should we legalize marijuana?

Essay by GayassHigh School, 12th grade October 2003

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A pro marijuana web page stated "Fewer than 2 percent of drug-related emergency room visits involved the use of marijuana alone in the year 1994". Are the correct in saying it is safe, not according to anti marijuana groups. In today's society, a debate over the legalization of marijuana has been on going. Two divisions have been fighting on this issue on the halls of justice for years: one those who are pro marijuana and those who are anti marijuana.

Pro marijuana legalization groups such as the Physician's Association for AIDS Care, National Lymphoma Foundation argue marijuana legalization in order to treat terminally ill patients. Among them are AIDS victims who find that marijuana stimulates their appetites so they can fight off dangerous emaciation; glaucoma sufferers who have used marijuana said it has prevented them from going blind. Cancer patients, for whom it alleviates the severe nausea that is often accompanies chemotherapy and sometimes makes lifesaving treatment impossible.

Lobbying groups show substantial evidence, that marijuana is an effective prescribed drug. Also, many advocates complain that very dangerous drugs like morphine and cocaine are legal. That brings up the question: why not legalize marijuana as medical drug, which is proven to be less dangerous than cocaine and morphine? Lobbying groups in a San Diego, California and the council committee unanimously voted to urge president Bill Clinton and congress to end federal restrictions against the use of marijuana for "legitimate medical use." City council women Christine Kehoe said she wanted the city of San Diego "to go on the record we support the medical use marijuana; marijuana can be a drug of necessity in the treatment of AIDS, glaucoma, cancer and multiple sclerosis. ''

Many agencies, which are anti marijuana such as Drug Enforcement Agency and police departments, argue marijuana should not...