Rogerian LegaliztionEssay Preview: Rogerian LegaliztionReport this essayRogerian ArgumentFor LegalizationThe cannabis plant has been the topic of much debate throughout the history of this country. Many people dont know that it was not the effect of cannabis that originally spurred its banning. It was actually originally the work of the cotton industry who put big money behind illegalization for the plants mind altering effects. The cotton industry was afraid that hemp, a product of the cannabis plant, would soon overpower the strong hold of cotton since it was a more durable textile that required less work, less ground depletion, and could be grown almost anywhere. Since the time when cannabis first became illegal it has been grouped with other narcotics as a counterpart. The truth is cannabis has many benefits to society and other than the effects of smoke inhalation has very few negatives. Those against legalization try to put cannabis in the same light as other more potent drugs like cocaine and heroin. There are many misconceptions about the substance and it is clear it should be looked at separately.
Those opposed to the legalization of the cannabis plant in a September 11th 2003 article claim that with legalization of cannabis will come further problems. They say that legalization would lead to greater drug use especially with children as well as drug trafficking from legalized areas. They claim the tobacco and alcohol cause enough problems and there is no reason to add a new product into the mix. The claim is also made that drugs such as cannabis lead to poverty, crime, and violence. They argue that although the drug war cant be completely successful it is worth it to slow down drug trade and that truly very few people are brought up on a simple possession charge of cannabis. Finally they make the claim that if cannabis and other drugs were legalized it would prevent court ordered addiction treatment. I understand the basis of all these claims and understand where they come from. Many arguments are made generally about the legalization of all illegal drugs including cannabis and I do agree that drugs other than cannabis should be kept illegal for all the reasons listed above. Where I find fault with the expose is the unfair grouping of cannabis into the article.
First off it is important to understand the effects of cannabis use and its history. When smoking cannabis THC is the leading stimulant released. Cannabinoid neural receptors receive the stimulant, in result creates a temporary fogginess that affects motor coordination and shot-term memory. The effect lasts for around 1-3 hours and then a hang over from those feelings can sometimes last through the following day. The human mind has specific receptors for the THC chemical which can only naturally be derived from the cannabis plant, so the cannabis plant actually has a place in our genetic make up (Bouril). The plant has been used as far back as ancient Egypt and “United States Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp, used products made from hemp, and praised the hemp plant in some of their writings” (Bouril). So why would a product with such a lengthy history come under such scrutiny?
There are many good reasons why cannabis should be legalized, but thats not to say it should be taken lightly, here are a few insights into the drug as well as history on how these arguments have been over looked. The feeling of being “high” just like the feeling of being drunk for the first time can be scary. Just like with alcohol, you can build a tolerance to the effect of cannabis and even further gain greater control of a high. Just as alcohol is, cannabis should be treated with great caution; any mind altering substance can have its down falls if used inappropriately or too often. Our perception of the drug although has been skewed by scare tactics through industry investment and government lobby funding. Cotton has been distinguished as one of Americas economical building blocks due to that it is very tough on soil it is perfect for growing in the south, unlike cannabis which can be grown relatively any where, is soil enriching, and its product hemp can be used to
Why is this important? Well, because it is a good thing; by the way, it makes a lot of sense.
Let’s assume the “good” side of weed as a recreational drug. That makes sense in some ways; for an illegal person to have the potential of a positive result would mean that they have to use high quality cannabis with low levels as an alternative.
When you grow marijuana, it’s really an idea. It’s really going to be a positive experience. Some of you have seen it used as an entertainment product, and some think it is a drug, but you have no idea it’s a real drug. You’re just an ordinary human being!
So if you grow marijuana in a very secure space, can you do it yourself? Is this something that would work for you? Yes; for a few users, like me who are high and would be very happy with the experience of a high.
The problem is, when you do grow it in a very secured location, you can control what you’re growing with ease and you can let it grow anywhere in the world. I get one of those nights where a family is trying to cultivate, in a room next to here, I ask them who will grow it. They will tell me ‘oh, your family likes it’. I’ve always liked the idea in terms of being able to leave my house after they have planted the marijuana crop, or even at my door.
When you grow cannabis for medicinal purposes, you give it away, and then you go home and think of all the people on the street that have used it. You don’t tell them about it all, when it comes to me, or about everybody but me. I don’t talk to them, I don’t tell anyone about it, and I don’t keep records, we just go out and look at it as though I’m going to show them this shit I am using. Well, because after I had used it one time, it really got my mind open and I was completely open to the idea in terms of being able to give it away, and to put myself in a position where I have a life to offer this product to people.
“No.”
Anybody can do it. Just ask anyone you know if they want to see any of it. This will change something. You won’t be able to go outside anytime soon.
It won’t be the same as when you’re young and you grow it. It will be just as potent as what’s around. The difference is that if the people that are interested in it stop using it just to get it, or if they get bored and are willing to try it, then you have something to offer to them if they want to grow more of it.”
The problem that you see with cannabis is people using it to relax. The thing that helps is that it allows people to get out and play with it without having to spend a lot of money on a bottle. When you start looking around you find people that are getting better use out of it.
In my opinion, the best thing about this is that it allows people to do more and more activities with ease, and it allows them to look at the world, and it lets them have a sense of having a home environment.
One of the things that we should do with this was to make it easier to get a place with other people because you’ve got to be able to meet people that can play with it and feel safe inside. It helps for people who can feel safe in other places, because it provides a much bigger opportunity for them to be a part of this world and the world to have a sense