Legalizing Marijuana Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Legalizing Marijuana - Research Paper Example Although there are many voices and opinions about this topic, the legalization of the drug could support a more stable criminal justice system and prevent the consequences of arrest on citizens that far outweigh the nature of the crime. In understanding the argument for the legalization of marijuana, one must first understand what aspects of the drug is relevant to legalization. The cannabis plant is one of the oldest cultivated varieties of plants in the history of the world. There is evidence that shows that the plant was used for both clothing manufacture and for its intoxicating effects, but there is also some evidence to show that it was grown for its food potential as well (Green, 2002, p. 10). The plant has an Asian origin, although scientists have been unable to determine a specific origin as the long history of the plant defies the ability of research to trace it back to an origin. ` The cannabis plant has many uses that go beyond just the use of the leaves as an intoxicant. Henry Ford made a prototype of a vehicle using hemp (the fiber derived from the plant) based plastics for the body which turned out to be stronger than steel. He was also working on a hemp based oil product for fuel (Green, 2002, 17). Hemp fibers can be used to create natural The drug has an infamous quality as there have been tales and myths reported from the results of usage of the intoxicant. From the 13th century there are writings from Marco Polo about a Persian ruler who had disciples who committed religiously motivated murder who were inspired by the use of cannabis. There is a similar contemporary tale of Shiites who recruit assassins who are users of the drug. In a similar vein, there are stories of African white land owners addicting the Bushmen of the area to marijuana as a means of controlling them (Roffman, 2006, p. 6). All these tales describe the worst imaginable horrors that can be