By Marijuana is currently a controversial topic, and there is a lot of confusion surrounding it. Learn about the history of marijuana and its relation to criminalization.
History of Marijuana
Marijuana has been used for medical and recreational purposes for thousands of years. It was even mentioned in the Bible!
However, since the 1930s, marijuana has been classified as a Schedule I drug by the United States government. This means that it is considered one of the world’s most dangerous substances and is tightly controlled by law enforcement.
This tight control has resulted in marijuana being criminalized much more than other drugs. For example, there are currently more people incarcerated for marijuana possession than for all other crimes combined!
There are a few reasons why this strict criminalization of marijuana has been difficult to change: first and foremost, it’s difficult to prove that marijuana causes harm. Second, many people who support marijuana legalization argue that this criminalization is discriminatory and unfairly targets certain groups – such as black people and poor people – who are more likely to use or sell marijuana.
Is Marijuana a Criminalized Drug?
Marijuana is not currently a criminalized drug, but it may soon be. There are two main proposals in the United States that would make marijuana a criminalized drug: the Marijuana Justice Act and the STATES Act.
The Marijuana Justice Act is designed to help reduce the disproportionate number of black people incarcerated for marijuana-related offenses. It would do this by increasing funding for education and rehabilitation programs and providing financial assistance to states that decide to decriminalize or legalize marijuana.
The STATES Act is similar to the Marijuana Justice Act in that it aims to reduce the number of black people incarcerated for marijuana-related offenses. However, its main focus is on legalizing marijuana at the federal level. This would mean that it would no longer be a crime to possess or use marijuana; however, selling and trafficking it would still be illegal.
It’s still being determined which proposal will eventually become law, but whichever one does likely will only happen after a while. It will probably take years for legislation like this to go through all the hoops necessary for it to become effective.
Is the criminalization of marijuana justified?
There is considerable debate surrounding the criminalization of marijuana, and it’s important to weigh all the evidence before making a decision.
Some people believe marijuana should be legal because it doesn’t pose a significant health risk. They point to studies that suggest no link between cannabis use and adverse effects like addiction or mental illness. Some experts believe that legalizing marijuana could help reduce drug abuse and crime.
Others argue that marijuana should be criminalized because it is still illegal under international law. They point to research that shows how cannabis can cause serious mental health problems, including addiction and psychosis. They also argue that cannabis use can lead to criminal activity, such as trafficking and violence.
Ultimately, it’s up to each individual to decide whether they think the criminalization of marijuana is justified. What’s important is that you take the time to weigh all the evidence carefully before making your decision.
