Persuasive Essay-Should Marijuana Be Legalized? What are the pros and cons of the legalization or decriminalization of pot?

Should Marijuana Be Legalized?

The legalization of marijuana is a widespread debate with many valid arguments

for both sides. Some will state that it should be available for those seeking relief from

various medical situations, or that if legalized, marijuana could be regulated by the

government for safety reasons. Even the fact that there are no deaths directly caused by

marijuana is a strong point on the pro-legalization side. However, I believe that the

legalization would lead to more problems in a society that is already full enough with

other issues and debates concerning our health and safety. The fact that relief can be

attained in a pill form without the hazards of smoke inhalation and other dangerous

chemicals strikes a blow to the pro-legalization claim that pot has medicinal value. Also,

it is widely regarded as a gateway drug, which means that although perhaps it could be

regulated, it may lead to a higher percentage of people trying harder drugs such as heroin

and cocaine.

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Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, is that the legalization would make

pot available to the youth in a similar way to how alcohol and cigarettes are obtained.

The legalization of marijuana would lead to a decline in the standards of our society.

It is often said that marijuana has medicinal value, and could be a valuable asset

to those who have undergone chemotherapy for cancer, or other patients with AIDS.

This is true, however, the other dangerous chemicals associated with marijuana use have

the possibility of creating more health problems such as lung cancer. The active part of

marijuana that eases the pain of these patients that is known as tetra-hydro-canibol, or

THC, is available in a pill form, that does not contain the "more than 400 different

chemicals found in tobacco smoke"[1].