Transcript Should marijuana be legalized?

Should marijuana be
legalized?
How and When this controversy
started
 Use
of marijuana became a problem in the
1930s in the U.S.

1937: Laws passed making it a crime to
possess or sell marijuana
 This
was the same era as PROHIBITION
Continuing Controversy
 Alcohol
is now legal for adults over age 21
 People
argue about the risks to both one’s
health and community associated with
marijuana vs. other legal and illegal drugs.
 Use
of marijuana continues even though it
is illegal
Definitions
Legalization vs. Decriminalization
Legalization: the product would be sold
legally and taxed in a well-regulated
market (like buying alcohol at the liquor
store which is controlled by the state)
Decriminalization: it would no longer be
considered a punishable crime to possess,
but sale would still be a punishable
offense.
Recent Events
 November
1996: Arizona and California
voters approved propositions allowing
patients to smoke marijuana for medical
purposes with a doctor's recommendation.
 Still
illegal to possess or sell without
doctor’s recommendation.
Two Sides of the Debate
Legalize Marijuana
 More
deaths and health risks associated
with legal substances (cigarettes and
alcohol) than marijuana use
 If
the government legalized marijuana, it
would be better regulated, and taxes could
be gathered from its sale.
 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.ph
p?storyId=9434794
Audio NPR interview on decriminalization of
marijuana (good for background information for
“legalize marijuana”) 5:33 (defining
decriminalization vs. legalization) What are
people’s opinions about legalizing marijuana?
What does legalizing marijuana have to do with
Prohibition? Why would alcohol and cigarette
companies become involved if marijuana were to
become legalized? (on your own)
Keep Marijuana Illegal
 Marijuana
is a gateway drug and leads to
the use of more dangerous drugs which
would harm our society.
 Marijuana
 Health
negatively affects non-users
risks outweigh any possible health
benefits (which are inconclusive)