Cannabis Should Be Federally Legalized in America
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Abstract
Cannabis formed an integral component of human society for millennia. However, the crop was banned in the 19th century based on its association with socially non-acceptable behavior. According to researchers, the criminalization of the plant was racially inclined and biased, with legislators failing to pay attention to scientific evidence depicting the plant as containing immense economic, health, and environmental benefits. Campaigns for the decriminalization and legalization of Cannabis have, however, gained traction as states decriminalized Cannabis within state borders. The concept creates immense conflict with the federal government, which still enforces the Controlled Substance Act (CSA) of 1970, in which Cannabis is listed as a Schedule I substance. Increased legalization among states with minimal repercussions from the federal government raises questions regarding its standing on the issue. By failing to do away with the CSA, the federal government appears to share the arguments against non-legalization of Cannabis, which portray the drug as being harmful to society and the health of users, and where the benefit from legalization is little compared to the damage, it would cause. However, following extensive research into the subject, we describe the immense social, economic, and environmental benefits accruing from legalizing Cannabis. We also describe the injustice surrounding the criminalization of Cannabis and the adverse impacts on peoples’ welfare. We also refute the arguments against legalization by portraying the bias in the provided rationale.
Table of Contents TOC o “1-3” h z u Acronyms PAGEREF _Toc43173508 h 5Cannabis Should Be Federally Legalized in America PAGEREF _Toc43173509 h 6Introduction PAGEREF _Toc43173510 h 6Background into Cannabis Varieties and usage PAGEREF _Toc43173511 h 10Cannabis Morphology (Marijuana) PAGEREF _Toc43173512 h 11Hemp Morphology PAGEREF _Toc43173513 h 12Literature Review PAGEREF _Toc43173514 h 13Discussion PAGEREF _Toc43173515 h 19Arguments for Cannabis Legalization: PAGEREF _Toc43173516 h 20Economic and Environmental Benefits PAGEREF _Toc43173517 h 20Cost Efficiency PAGEREF _Toc43173518 h 21Environmental Benefits PAGEREF _Toc43173519 h 21Employment PAGEREF _Toc43173520 h 22Increased Budgetary Saving PAGEREF _Toc43173521 h 23Increased Revenue Sources PAGEREF _Toc43173522 h 24Reduced Dependency Ratios PAGEREF _Toc43173523 h 25Increase Investment PAGEREF _Toc43173524 h 26Social Justice Benefits PAGEREF _Toc43173525 h 27Equity Benefit PAGEREF _Toc43173526 h 27Welfare Benefits PAGEREF _Toc43173527 h 28Regulatory Benefits PAGEREF _Toc43173528 h 29Medical Benefits PAGEREF _Toc43173529 h 30Arguments Against Legalization PAGEREF _Toc43173530 h 32Health-Related PAGEREF _Toc43173531 h 32Welfare Related PAGEREF _Toc43173532 h 33Rebuttal PAGEREF _Toc43173533 h 34Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc43173534 h 35References PAGEREF _Toc43173535 h 37
List of Figures
Figure 1: Marijuana plant
Figure II: Hemp Plant
Figure 3: Annual Cannabis Convictions by State
Figure 4: Cannabis Use in Colorado
Acronyms
CSA – controlled substance Act
FDA – Food and Drugs Administration
THC – Tetrahydrocannabinol
CBD- Cannabidiol
LCB- Liquor and Cannabis Board
GDP- Gross Domestic Product
AML- Anti-Marijuana Laws
Cannabis Should Be Federally Legalized in America
Introduction
