Legalization of Marijuana in America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Legalization of Marijuana in America - Essay Example It is because of these two highly conflicting points of view that Marijuana legalization has faced an uphill battle in the quest of its supporters to become a legalized substance. Therefore, one cannot wonder what it is about Marijuana that countries like Germany and Romania, Uruguay, Switzerland, Spain, and Portugal seem to find so positive that they actually legalized Marijuana and even went to the extent of setting up Marijuana shops where the government can regulate the substance's sale and distribution. Maybe it is about time America play the catch-up game and follow in the steps of its counterparts by legalizing Marijuana? What exactly are the negative results that support the non-legalization of Marijuana? Maybe there are actually medically and socially sound facts and data out there that can actually lend credence and support to the sector of society that looks to see Marijuana legalized in the country? What exactly are we looking at here? Those who stand in opposition to the legalization of Marijuana do so based upon various reasons that show the kind of mindset that the American public carries at the moment pertaining to Marijuana. The negative beliefs about the effect of Marijuana seems to be pretty much like everything else in our lives that we believe, it is all based upon a traditional mind conditioned set from the past eras. Ont he other hand, those who support the legalization of the substance seem to do so based mostly upon perceived positive effects on the health of a person and the economic impact of legalizing the substance upon a state. Those who are opposed to the legalization of Marijuana as a substance often points to the assumption that the plant has far more dangerous effects than getting drunk on alcohol. Medical experts from the Yale Medical School, psychiatrist Samuel T. Wilkerson to be specific has been quoted as saying; â€Å"Though they receive little attention in the legalization debate, the scientific studies showing an associ ation between marijuana use and schizophrenia and other disorders are alarming. â€Å" (Rubin, Jennifer â€Å"A Really Good Reason Not to Legalize Pot†). It would seem that the research of this particular group discovered an emerging picture that supports the claim that Marijuana use heightens the symptoms of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders when people who have a tendency to be vulnerable to psychosis are allowed to use the substance. Possibly genetic in reason, the use of the drug gives the user heightened hallucinations that force the user into a permanent state of psychosis. While there is still a very long way to go in terms of scientific evidence to support the claims that Marijuana use can worsen the mental conditions of already unstable mental patients, there are also other groups that believe it is of the utmost importance that the use of the substance be made as less enticing to the young people as possible. Supporters of this point of view include forme r president Jimmy Carter who has openly opposed the legalization of the substance in light of the passing of a vote in Colorado and Washington state that legalized the sale and distribution of the substance. The revered president is part of the old school of thought as evidence by his declaration that legalized Marijuana use should be strongly and openly opposed because.