Legalizing Marijuana, An Ethical Perspective

In todays society, legion(predicate) respectable concerns hold water on a daily basis, especially when it comes to the topic of goodizing hemp. M whatever individuals keep up relied on the fact that hemp was illegal, when determining whether smoking it should be flip overed un honest.However, many another(prenominal) studies score shown that the effects of ganja be non as noisome as they were once made out to be. Legalizing hemp can be an extremely controversial topic beca give several great deal devote unbendable beliefs concerning wherefore it should not be decriminalised, small-arm a significant criterion of money of people have stronger occupations, as to why it should be legalized.When it comes to looking at the honorable standpoint of legalizing ganja, everyone has a different come acrossation as to why ganja should or should not be legalized. This is beca make hire of everyones sense of morals and values differ from one another.Legalizing ganja for healthful and unskilled practice would be beneficial for large amounts of people for many reasons. The theory of utilitarianism implies that the ripe course of action should be the one, which benefits the sterling(prenominal) number of people.Many aspects of legalizing hemp should be c beed when determining if the benefits outweigh the finds. Several states have passed laws, which govern the engagement of marijuana for healthful purposes. In fact, over twenty states, as well as the District of Columbia have enacted laws that govern the habit of marijuana for healthful purposes only(prenominal). The increasing number of physicians implying that they would use marijuana medicinally for their patients shows that in that respect are many benefits, which could derive from drill the substance.A look at conducted by American herb doctor showed, 79. 5 percent of professional members stated that if there were not legal obstacles they would use marihuana clinically (Ro mm & Romm, 2010, p. 25).This study also implies that the top reasons for prescribing marijuana include appetite loss, cancer, pain, glaucoma, insomnia, and it is also s at passing that it helps with relaxation. Considering the increasing number of patients pang from such(prenominal) diagnosis, the utilitarian approach shows that legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes would benefit the greatest number of people.When considering the harmful and noxious nature of alcoholic beverage and tobacco, it is hard to interpret why and how these substances became legalized. While at the same time, people are scrutinizing as to how a substance, such as marijuana, that controversially could conduce in more profits than disadvantages, has yet to live on legal. Marijuana is significantly less destructive than alcohol and tobacco and is used to treat medical checkup thoughtfulnesss. State legislatures have ignored the signs of potential advantages of legalizing marijuana for years.Howeve r, legislatures have previously legalized substances, including alcohol and tobacco, without the advantage of the substances advancing or improving medical care. Therefore, the main ethical argument against legalizing marijuana comes down to the fact that of the legalities governing its use. The National Organization for the rejuvenate of Marijuana Laws (NORML), is an organization that serves as an information center for issues concerning marijuana use and legalization. The NORML Organization also serves as the voice for Americans opposing the current marijuana prohibition.This organization presents the fact that if people are using this substance for enjoyment, those people should not be casefuled to civil penalties or criminal injustices. A new government study has shown that over 14 million Americans use marijuana on a regular basis, despite legalities (NORML, 1996, para. 1). The NORML organization has compiled a magnetic inclination of principles of responsible use, which co uld reduce the amount of ethical concerns and legalities associated with using marijuana for unpaid and medicinal purposes.One of which include the use of marijuana macrocosm restricted only to adults. This is important because, just like alcohol and tobacco, it is unethical, immoral, and irresponsible to provide such substances to children.Another principle includes restrictions on hotheaded while low the enchant of marijuana. NORML stated, Although cannabis is said by around experts to be safer than alcohol and many prescription medicine drugs with motorists, responsible cannabis gather inrs never operate motor vehicles in an afflicted condition (NORML, 1996, para, 6). Therefore, the no driving principle is implied.These are two of the well-nigh significant principles presented by NORML. The near principle is described as pit and setting. The NORML organization states, The responsible cannabis user result carefully consider his/her set and setting, regulating use acco rdingly (NORML, 1996, para. 7).Meaning, adults should be responsible enough, when using marijuana, to take into consideration several different aspects of ones life. For instance, it is important for marijuana users to consider his or her set, meaning the individuals attitude, personality, and experience.The term setting refers to an individuals physical and social condition or circumstances (NORML, 1996, para. 8). Therefore, individuals should consider and analyze a number of factors forwards choosing to smoke or just choosing to just say no. both other principles presented by NORML include resisting abuse and respecting the rights of others. Therefore, individuals should steer clear of any sign of abuse and should not violate the rights of others when using marijuana.Decriminalizing marijuana would aid Americas next generation in becoming more successful with the major power to prosper. By reducing the amount of materialisation people cosmos penalized and/or institutionalised for using or haveing marijuana, less lives will be finished as a result of the war on pot.Former President intrude Carter once said, Penalties against drug use should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug itself. Nowhere is this more clear than in the laws against the self-denial of marijuana in private for personal use (NORML, 1996, para. 14).Therefore, nonetheless our former President considered legalizing marijuana to benefit the greatest number of people, out-of-pocket to the high volume of individuals lives being subjected to destruction as a result of using and/or possessing this substance. The former President also implied that the penalties governing drug use should not be more destructive than the actual drug itself. It has been proven and will continue to be proven throughout this paper, that there are ways to avoid possible ethical concerns raised in reference to legalizing marijuana.For instance, a recent study showed, .. . in the 16 sta tes where medical marijuana is legal, there has been a drop of most 9% in traffic deaths since the laws took effect and a 5% drop in beer sales (Crowe, 2012, para. 1). This study does not prove that driving while under the influence of marijuana is any less dangerous than driving while intoxicated. However, the results of the study do imply the fact that since alcohol is sold in veto and restaurants, it is more typical for higher rates of those driving drunk to have life threatening accidents than those under the influence of marijuana.Especially considering most marijuana users consume the substance in the privacy of their own homes. Whereas, individuals who choose to drink alcohol at a bar or restaurant, also choose to risk driving home while intoxicated. The authors of this study also imply that individuals driving while intoxicated are more likely to misjudge their lore and ability to drive, while those under the influence of marijuana typically tend to avoid taking risks on the road (Crowe, 2012, para. 11).However, individuals who choose to drive while impaired or intoxicated in any form are subject to being charged with driving under the influence, which imposes severe penalties and will result in loosing driving privileges. Some may argue that marijuana is a gateway drug to harder drugs.However, the NORML Organization argues that, For those minority of marijuana smokers who do graduate to harder substances, it is marijuana prohibition which forces users to associate with the illicit drug dusky market rather than the use of marijuana itself, that often serves as a doorway to the world of hard drugs (NORML, 1996, para.20).With that being said, it is not the use of marijuana that opens the doors for harder illicit drug use, it is being subjected to the underground market of marijuana that opens the doors for individuals to become familiar with other drugs. There are many ethical concerns when it comes to legalizing marijuana for recreational purpose s. So far, two states have legalized marijuana for multiple reasons including medicinal purposes and recreational purposes.Washington and cobalt have implemented state laws governing the use of marijuana for recreational use. The Obama Administration and the Justice discussion section concluded in a recent ann ouncement that federal agents will not come in in Washington and Colorados new found marijuana laws and regulations as long as the states are, preventing distribution to minors, stopping marijuana from being used as a cover for trafficking other drugs,and enforcing laws against driving under the influence of drugs (Dinan, 2013, para, 20).Therefore, as long as the states regulate the use and willpower of marijuana, according to the previously stated guidelines, the federal government will not intervene with the states policies concerning the legalization of marijuana. The laws passed in Washington and Colorado are the first steps in the direction of decriminalizing marijuan a.Those who are caught with an ounce of marijuana or less will not be subject to pay fines nor will they be institutionalized because citizens may legally possess anything less than an ounce. In recent years, the war on drugs has ruined thousands of young lives of those who were caught possessing or using marijuana. Decriminalizing anything less than an ounce of marijuana, when it is being used for recreational purposes, will ensure the judicial systems within the United States are uncommunicative for more serious and/or violent crimes.The authors of Marijuana Legalization stated, concord to the FBI, there were 758,000 marijuana arrests nationwide in 2011, the vast majority for possession (Sullum, 2013, para. 17). Therefore, most of the individuals who were arrested for marijuana in 2011 were actually arrested on possession charges, which most likely would not even be considered a crime in Washington or Colorado. Studies have shown that over fifty percent of Americans now believe marijuana should be legalized for recreational use because of the benefits outweighing the risks.Paul Armentano, the director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws tardily stated, Today, a majority of Americans espouse ending Americas nearly century-long, failed experiment with cannabis prohibition and replacing it with a system of limited legalization and regulation (PR Newswire, 2012, para. 5). By utilizing limited legalization and regulations on marijuana, less people would be throw off away for what would normally be considered a crime. In doing so, the future of many young people would be protected against being victims of the war against cannabis.From an ethical utilitarian perspective, it would be more beneficial for the greatest number of people, to legalize marijuana. Those who chose to possess and use marijuana are overcrowding prison systems and judicial systems within the United States. Implementing and utilizing methods of distributing marijua na, legally would decrease the amount of people being institutionalized for such crimes and could result in billions of dollars of tax revenue, which could strengthen the economy.The Seattle Times recently implied, State financial experts estimate the new legalization could raise nearly $2 billion in tax revenue over the next five years, with the money going toward education, health care, substance abuse streak and basic government services (PR Newswire, 2012, para. 7). Herein lies, yet another ethical concept as to why marijuana should be legalized. An ethical egoist could argue that a person should have the right to use marijuana if that person regains using marijuana as being in his or her best interest.If not, the ethical egoist could argue that if that person does not see smoking marijuana as being in their best interest, they should not do it. No matter the direction the individual chooses to approach this situation, the ethical egoist would support the persons right to mak e the termination for his or her self. Our textbook indicates, The egoist simply says that you should do what makes you happiest, or, again, maximizes your utility (Mosser, 2010, sec. 1. 8, para. 22). With that being said, the utilitarian approach implies, the right thing to do is what benefits the largest number of people.However, the ethical egoist could possibly interpret, restricting ones use of marijuana as being in his or her best interest. Based on the material presented and the information obtained while conducting research on the topic of legalizing marijuana, the ordered notion would be to legalize marijuana. Having the ability to regulate and overcome the use and possession of marijuana among U. S. citizens, will provide the government with the ability to control its distribution Therefore, making availability to minors just as modulate and controlled as alcohol and tobacco, which would be in compliance with the Justice Departments regulations.Almost half of our natio ns population previously voted to legalize marijuana. The government is beginning to realize, just like the use of alcohol and tobacco, the use of marijuana will continue legally or illegally. Legalizing marijuana for medicinal and recreational use would be beneficial for a significant amount of people for many reasons. Why not just develop regulations, apply taxes to it, and maintain control over it rather than continuing the war on pot which has failed tremendously over the years.