Smoke in the Air :: essays research papers

The Smoke in the Air Marijuana is probably the most debatable plant in history. It has been around for millennia in various forms and uses. However, it’s known mostly as a drug. In the Americas, its beginnings can be traced back almost 456 years when the Spanish first brought it with them in 1545 (Levinthal). Cannabis sativa or marijuana, as it’s commonly known, is commercially valuable in the production of hemp rope, crude cloth, twine, shoes, sailcloth and containers (Levinthal, Keese). Notably, marijuana can be also be utilized in the development of medicines to ease a number of modern-day aliments. In ancient times, it was considered a cash crop. In the 20th century, however, marijuana is looked upon more as a narcotic than a plant that has commercial potential. The beginnings of marijuana's political life in American history can be traced as far back as 1915, when marijuana prohibition started on a local and statewide level, mainly owing to anti-Mexican sentiments (Bonnie 1). From 1932 to 1937, national consciousness of marijuana was brought about by anti-marijuana campaigns funded by the federal authorities in support of the Uniform Narcotic Drug Act (Bonnie 1). This resulted in the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act. From then on marijuana hysteria escalated. The government enacted stiff penalties on most marijuana offenses, even simple possession (Bonnie 1). Marijuana possession became a felony in most states, until 1973, when Oregon became the first state to decriminalize marijuana. Since then the government has began to take a non-criminal approach towards discouraging marijuana use (Bonnie 1). Escalating marijuana consumption and its penetration in all levels of society, has forced every state to amend its penalties in some fashion or a nother (Bonnie 1). Today, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada and Washington have joined Oregon by decriminalizing marijuana (Central News Network). Those opposed to marijuana in the past have met fierce resistance from advocates for its decriminalization. The debate is rapidly becoming political. Marijuana’s significance as a medicine is no longer an issue. The issue at present is whether or not the sanctions against marijuana are socially and economically viable to keep in place. As put by Richard J. Bonnie, author of Marijuana Use and Criminal Sanctions, "legislators must somehow 'weigh' the 'benefits' of criminal sanctions against their 'costs'" (16). Marijuana should be decriminalized in order to minimize the social, legal, and economical repercussions suffered by the American public. Marijuana sanctions are affecting the American public in three ways.