from a little seedling to a full grown plant

Honesty is the best policy, and right now I’m going to be completely frank: before writing this blog I was one of those ignorant negative Nancy types that was totally against the legalization of pot, but for all the wrong reasons. I really just didn’t know anything! I have really enjoyed writing about this topic because it’s one that many people, including the president, can’t talk about seriously.  Through extensive research I have evaluated the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana.

When I first started this blog I thought the main pros of legalization were straight forward: decrease the abundance of drug dealers, generate revenue from the taxation of the drug and related accessories, and decrease the number of marijuana related arrests. Through the development of this blog I have come to realize that although those issues are painstakingly important but that the freedom of the American people to use a recreational drug that is linked to very few deaths is equally as important an argument.

Through my research I have come to the conclusion that the legalization of marijuana SEEMS to be a very cut and dry issue and although I am a strong advocator for the movement to end prohibition, I must admit it is an insanely complex issue and should be handled with the utmost care.  While researching this topic, many negative side effects of legalization were proposed: if marijuana were to be legal then drug use would be on the rise in youth and the negative health effects of marijuana are potentially very harmful. It’s a lot to consider and honestly, I still haven’t made up my mind. But that’s life; it’s all about making tough decisions that hopefully will change lives for the better.

One thing that stood out to me throughout the creation of this blog project is that there is a lot of information out there on the web and one can easily find a website with “facts” saying one thing and it’s simple to find a website with “facts” that are the complete opposite!  In my blog I tried to present readers with cites that are appropriately cited and don’t just state raging opinions  (major lol…is it bad to laugh?) With so much information floating around, it was very important for me to present the argument in an unbiased fashion. I wanted to let the people make their own opinions on this issue for themselves.

It’s clear that there are many benefits to legalizing marijuana. The United States’ lack of action regarding this issue just shows that the government really doesn’t make radical decisions, whether they are beneficial for America as a whole or not. Because marijuana has been illegal for 30 years, preconceived notions about the drug are present across the country. Marijuana is associated with negative behaviors and because of this perpetuated ignorance, it seems nearly impossible for the government to look at this issue objectively. Just like the issues of dependence on foreign oil, unemployment, and public education the issue of legalizing marijuana will get increasing attention throughout the years and the government will FINALLY see the importance of change.

MAJOR sad face :(

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2010/11/prop-19-headed-to-defeat-exit-polls-show.html

"Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life" -Joseph Addison

http://economics.about.com/od/incometaxestaxcuts/a/legalize_pot.htm

This article helped me gain information about the economic benefits of legalizing marijuana. This cite opened my eyes to the idea that legalizing marijuana would actually stimulate our depressed economy and the statistics presented appeal to most every American.

http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3414

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) website is geared toward changing the present laws regarding marijuana and making it legal for responsible use. This website is beneficial because it contains news articles related to legalizing marijuana and tons of information about why it should be legal.

http://www.leap.cc/cms/index.php

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) is a great site that discloses the side to the drug war that is not often talked about. The website provides information about the law enforcement officers that do not condone drug use, but see the continued prohibition of marijuana to be detrimental.

http://www.calmca.org/

The Citizens Against Legalizing Marijuana (CALM) group advocates for the continued prohibition of marijuana. This site gives a lot of information about the negatives to legalizing marijuana and how many parents and constituents worry about the dangers of drugs.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=marijuana-research

This article provided me with a lot of information about how it is very difficult to test marijuana and how the policies regarding the drug are unfair in this country.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/09/AR2010090907120.html

This article is extremely important is realizing the extent that drug trafficking across the Mexican-American border negatively impacts both the US and Mexico.

http://www.1stmarijuanagrowerspage.com/legalization-of-marijuana-legalization/against-legalization-of-marijuana.html

This site provides information on both the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana. It cites scientific studies done related to marijuana and goes in depth about the implications of legalizing marijuana.

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1000695

This is an article that goes very in depth about the issue of medical marijuana. It describes the role of the state and federal government in medical marijuana policies as well as describing the reasons behind state and federal government actions regarding the issue.

http://guyism.com/lifestyle/10-major-health-benefits-of-medical-marijuana.html

This is a brief list of the medical benefits of marijuana. It’s interesting because a lot of people do not know that marijuana can alleviate the symptoms of many uncomfortable diseases. It’s important to realize when reading this list that considerably more research is needed regarding this subject to fully understand the medical benefits of marijuana.

http://www.radicalparenting.com/2008/12/18/10-reasons-parents-should-not-support-legalizing-marijuana/

This website evaluates the concerns that American parents have concerning the issue of legalization. It’s important to look at both sides of this issue because it is about more than just making money and reduces arrests.

http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/22/pot-quorum/

This blog/forum is debate about legalization. It includes opinions about the issue both for and against legalization. 

the best blogs in all of pot's-illegal-ville!

I have reading enjoyed reading all of my classmates blogs (I swear I’m not being cheesy! I have learned a lot about many issues that I originally knew nothing about). Three that I want to give props to are:

A Public Pariah, Muslim Americans- Readers, don’t be put off by the word pariah…I had to look it up too! In case you were wondering, it means the lowest caste in the social class system in southern India. If you can get past that complicated 75 cent word (please tell me you remember those from elementary school) then you’ll come to realize this blog is very well researched and interesting because it pertains to American life RIGHT now. The treatment of Muslims isn’t the most talked about subject among US citizens but this blog brings the issue out of the dust and enables its readers to see that it’s not all rainbows and butterflies in the wonderful “free” country of America. You’ll learn a lot and even question your own thoughts throughout this blog.

What the Frack?- This blog has a title that will make even the most mature person giggle and what else? Music. “It had me at he-……midwestern gas tunes.” (reference to it had me at hello…just fyi) Anywho, not only is this blog pleasing to the eyes and ears, it talks about an issue that many government officials are sweeping under the rug. The author of this blog talks about the history of fracking, the negative effects on the environment, and how it’s affecting the United States today. If you want to learn about an issue that you have never heard of before…read this awesome blog!

Occupation: Unemployment- Basically EVERYONE in America is affected by the increased unemployment rates over the last few years. This blog is chalk full of interesting graphs, cartoons, videos, and of course in depth research about the issue of unemployment in this country. The author of this blog did a very good job of presenting relevant information on this issue in an unbiased fashion, letting the readers make their own opinions. Mr. Cash is clearly well researched and knows a lot about the topic. His theory post makes me think there is hope for this great country, if only people as smart as Mr. Cash were running it! If you want to learn about unemployment benefits and where our tax money is going, read this blog fo sho.

f-r-e-e-d-o-m

Going back to the same quote I used in my “Just the basics” post Abe Lincoln once said “Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is a species of intemperance within itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded”. OBVIOUSLY I couldn’t agree with him more! Most of my blog so far has been focusing on the negative effects of the prohibition of pot and the pros of legalizing it in terms of stimulating the economy and making monayyy. I didn’t even stop to think about one basic thing: it should be up to the people of America to decide if they want to smoke marijuana. I know that the government is trying to protect the people in this great country but guess how many deaths there are due to marijuana consumption…zero. Yep, none!!  I would just like to point out that over 400,000 people died due to obesity in 2000 and that number is only increasing. Is obesity illegal? No way José. So then why is marijuana? Hmmm? I think that the government should spend their time and effort trying to protect the American people from preventable diseases, such as obesity, and let American people smoke their pot if they want to. It’s a win/win/win/win situation folks!  The government isn’t controlling the American people too much, our economy gets stimulated by the revenue from marijuana being sold, the number of citizens getting arrested decrases, and dangerous drug cartels get all their power taken away. Talk about a great situation.

THE CONTINUED wastin' away in pot's-illegal-ville

Our government unfortunately follows the notion “all talk and no action”.  If the United States decides to use this oh-so-ineffective method of (in)action then the future of America  holds the prospect of the same degenerate circumstances present in today’s society. Globally, the drug trafficking problem will only exacerbate with time. Because marijuana is not legal in the United States users resort to other illegal methods of obtaining the drug that increase violence in the US and in other countries such as Mexico. Another dismal implication of this unresolved issue is that if medical marijuana is not made legal across the US then ill people all over the country will not be able to use their medication without fear of prosecution. So far only 14 states in the US have legalized medical marijuana and many medical marijuana patients are prosecuted in America and are subject to raids by the federal government every year. A negative implication for the future of an America where pot is still prohibited that hits close to home is that US taxpayers will continue to play unnecessary amounts of money toward the 800,000 people arrested and jailed each year due to marijuana related infractions. This is a waste of US taxpayers money and if marijuana is not made legal then gobs of money will go down the drain every single year paying for prisoners shelter, food, and clothes. THANKS, THANKS A LOT. I just love being wasteful…don’t you?  

interesting blog!

This blog debate reminded me a lot of the Carr vs. Shirky debate and is relevant to my topic...enjoy :)
http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/22/pot-quorum/