Transcript Legalization of Marijuana

Legalization of Marijuana
By: Blair Henley
&
Devin Symonette
WHAT IS MARIJUANA?
 Marijuana defined: Marijuana is the dried leaves and female flowers of a
hemp plant.
 Its scientific name is Cannabis satvia and the main active ingredient is
delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC.
 The uses of marijuana are vast, including smoking, eating, recreational
and medicinal.
 One of Canada’s biggest agricultural exports worth an estimated US$4
billion- $7 billion annually.
HISTORY OF MARIJUANA
 The Cannabis plant has a long history of medical uses, with historical
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evidence dating back to 2.737 B.C.
Cannabis is one of the 50 fundamental herbs of traditional Chinese
medicine.
In 1619 Jamestown Colony,Virginia passes a law requiring farmers to
grow Indian hemp seed.
Thomas Jefferson and George Washington both owned hemp farms.
Between the years of 1930-1945, there were only 25 convictions for
cannabis possession in all of Canada. By 1968 that number had risen to
over 2300, and by 1972 there were nearly 12000 convictions.
Canada was the first country to regulate its medicinal use, in 1999.
USES OF MARIJUANA AND HEMP
Industrial
Uses (Hemp)
 Food & Nutrition
 Body Care
 Paper
 Fabric, Textiles, & Rope
 Fuel
 Plastic Alternatives
 Building Materials
Medicinal Uses
 AIDS
 Chemotherapy
 Chronic pain
 Epilepsy
 Glaucoma
 Menstrual Cramps
 Labour Pain
 Migraine
 Multiple Sclerosis
 Anorexia
MEDICINAL PURPOSES
 Currently 16 states that have legalized medicinal cannabis.
 Canada was the first country to offer marijuana to pain-suffering patients.
 Before cannabis was made illegal, it was used for a huge number of diseases and
disabilities.
 The most obvious medicinal use is to assist those who have limited appetite to
gain an appetite.
 Different strands affect different illnesses.
How to Qualify?
Category 1
Category 2
-Severe pain and/or persistent muscle
pain from MS, spinal chord injury or spinal
chord disease.
-Severe pain, cachexia, anorexia, weight
loss, and/or severe nausea from cancer, or
HIV/AIDS.
-Arthritis pain or seizures caused by
epilepsy.
-Confirmation that regular or
conventional treatments have failed or
judged inappropriate to relieve symptoms
of the medical condition.
-Assessment required.
DECRIMINALIZATION VS. LEGALIZATION
 Decriminalization would allow for Canadians to use marijuana and
posses small amounts but if they are caught they may be given a warning
or fine, no jail time.
 Large amounts would be considered intent to sell and punishable with
imprisonment.
 Legalization means it is completely legal and may be
taxed. This takes the power away from drug dealers
and criminals.
PENALTIES FOR POSSESSION
 Possession of marijuana is a criminal offense under the Controlled Drugs
and Substances Act.
 If you possess under 30 grams it is considered for personal use the
maximum penalty is a fine of $1,000 or 6 months jail time.
 Over 30 grams is considered possession for the purpose of trafficking, a
more serious crime with more serious consequences.
WHERE IS MARIJUANA LEGAL?
Decriminalized
 Australia
 Canada
 Chile
 Colombia
Legal
 Argentine (for personal use in
small amounts)
 Belgium
 Czech Republic
 India (government regulated)
 Ecuador
 Iran (legal to grow, but illegal to
 Finland
 Germany
consume as a drug)
 Macedonia
 Pakistan
 Mexico
 Peru
 Netherlands
 Uruguay
 Portugal
 Venezuela
Should it be Legalized?
• Since 2003 several polls have found that the
majority of Canadians think the use of
marijuana should be legalized. The latest
coming in 2009, where 53% of people agreed.
• Liberals on Legalization
• What do you think?
LIBERALS DEBATE
 Failed prohibition of marijuana has exhausted billions on
ineffective enforcement.
 The legal status quo continues to endanger Canadians by generating
resources for gang-related criminal activity and weapons smuggling.
 A new liberal government will legalize and ensure the regulation and
taxation of its production, distribution, and use, while enforcing strict
penalties for illegal trafficking, illegal importation and exportation, and
impaired driving.
 A new liberal government will invest significant resources in prevention
and education programs especially amongst youth.
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
 It is estimated that Canada’s cannabis trade is at considerably
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more than $7 billion in annual sales.
Lowering government expenses.
In 2001, it was said that close to $500 million a year is spent on
fighting the drug trade. Two thirds of Canada’s annual drug arrests
are for cannabis offences.
A new industry would emerge that would allow citizens to buy
and sell marijuana.
The illegal drug dealers who are currently making “dirty money”
under the table, could start a profitable business.
Would create desperately needed jobs across the country.
What about the consumer?
KANTIAN THEORY
What is the motive?
To reduce unnecessary imprisonment for Marijuana charges, to reduce the
amount of money spent to keep convicted marijuana users imprisoned, and
to increase government funds by regulation and taxation of marijuana.
KANTIAN THEORY
What is the general principle?
The government should legalize every substances that cause unnecessary
imprisonment, over spending on prisoners, and will increase government
funding.
KANTIAN THEORY
What is the universal principle?
Every substance should be legalized that causes unnecessary
imprisonment, over spending on prisoners, and will increase government
funding.
CAN THE UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE BE MADE
INTO A MORAL LAW?
Can the universal principle be made into a moral
law?
No, it can not be made into a moral law because there are other drugs
that fall under these categories.
UTILITARIANISM
Course of
Action
Society
Government Taxes/Healt
hcare
Total
Legalize
Marijuana
+8
+10
+6
+24
Do not
Legalize
Marijuana
+2
-5
-5
-8