American Sociology: Perceptions on Legalizing Marijuana in the USA

This essay delves into the debate surrounding the legalization of marijuana for recreational use among adults in the USA, examining various perspectives both in favor and against such policies. It analyzes arguments from researchers and social analysts, considering the potential social, economic, and cultural impacts of legalization, drawing parallels with Canada's experience. The essay also addresses concerns about potential social chaos and increased substance abuse, while acknowledging survey data indicating public support for legalization. Ultimately, the essay suggests a cautious approach to legalization, emphasizing the need for strict regulations and monitoring to ensure responsible consumption and prevent illegal trafficking. Desklib provides access to this essay and other study resources for students.

Running head: AMERICAN SOCIOLOGY
American Sociology
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1AMERICAN SOCIOLOGY
Introduction
This research study conducts a debate of perceptions regarding the legalization of
marijuana for recreational use of adults in the USA. Opinions, both in favour and against the
legalization policy have been presented and evaluated. Justifications against validity of the
perception of various researchers who have given discrete opinion regarding the thought of
legalisation of marijuana have also been conducted in this research study.
Legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes
The legalisation of marijuana in Canada recently, has brought about extensive pressure
from various Forum and also evoked debate among pressure groups regarding the justification of
legalizing the use of marijuana for recreational purposes among adults in USA. while there are a
lot of socialist groups who suppose that Canada has done a big mistake by legalisation of this
drug, many others suppose that it is a futuristic step taken by the nation and should be followed
by USA also.
Canada became the first important Nation to legalize the use of marijuana for recreational
purpose. As suggested by Anderson & Rees (2014), the nation has taken this state as a social
experiment to understand the psychological need of the citizen for marijuana. It can be expected
that which the outcome of this experiment, the verdict of the government regarding marijuana
can alter in the future also. The legalisation of this drug, as Cerdá et al., (2017) thinks, might
effectively change the social, economic and cultural fabric of the country. If the drug is legalized
in USA this would be one of the biggest public policy change as well as challenge for the
national leaders in decades.

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As reflected by social analysts like Malouff, Rooke & Copeland (2014), so far and so
long the government considers legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes, it is socially
acceptable. This is because he thinks that the consumption of weed is better than alcohol from
many perspective. The amount of Anatomical damage that vocational and recreational weed
consumption does compared to that of alcohol is minute. On the contrary, rare and rational
consumption of weed has some biological advantages also. Marijuana acts as a splendid stress
reliever for people also.
In case if marijuana is legalized, the rate of criminality in USA will be reduced by 10 to
18% also. Many petty drug peddlers and illegal marijuana consumers are arrested every year and
held in prison. The production and pirated sale of marijuana which has been considered a crime
so far, can be stopped easily if legalization process is done. However, many researchers have
framed the opinion that the legalisation of marijuana should be executed with great responsibility
by the government. on one hand the government will be patronizing legal marriage honour stores
that can sell pre rolled weed joints, fresh or dried flowers of marijuana well as Cannabis oil. On
the other hand, the government will have to take strict measure and implement parallel laws in
order to stop the illegal trafficking of marijuana across the country. Besides, the huge circle of
crime operating with illegal transport and sales of marijuana has to be stopped completely.
Senior socialists like Pacula & Sevigny (2014), feel that the open sale and legal
consumption of marijuana will definitely boost the number of weed consumers in the country
and this might will become the cause of social Chaos in the long run. People might get high on
marijuana and commit nuisance on the streets. The alarming rate of accidents caused over
drinking and driving threatens a revamping of the same trauma with legalisation of marijuana
consumption. However, in spite of all these social barriers comma recent survey conducted

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among the local population of various important cities of the country shows that 64% of the
population on an average demands the legalisation of marijuana for recreational use of adults.
The public generally supported the perception that consumption of weed is much better
than consuming cigarettes from which people die of lung cancer at a huge rate. The chances of
acquiring lung cancer by consuming marijuana will be comparatively lesser by at least 15 to 30%
since the tendency to consume marijuana can nullify the urge to consume cigarettes.
Conclusion
With neighbouring countries like Canada legalizing the use of marijuana on a recreational
basis, USA stands a high chance of watching the government doing the same, especially under
the reign of Trump. However overall implications of the discussions of the perception of various
scholars and social researchers regarding the legalization of weed shows that the government
will have to stay cautious always regarding the trend of consumption of weed with the
legalisation of the drug in USA.it has to be strictly measured that the consumption of weed is
done by adults only and that also really it has to be strictly measured that the consumption of
weed is done by adults only and that also rarely and absolutely for recreational purpose.

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References
Anderson, D. M., & Rees, D. I. (2014). The legalization of recreational marijuana: how likely is
the worst-case scenario. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 33(1), 221-232.
Cerdá, M., Wall, M., Feng, T., Keyes, K. M., Sarvet, A., Schulenberg, J., ... & Hasin, D. S.
(2017). Association of state recreational marijuana laws with adolescent marijuana
use. JAMA pediatrics, 171(2), 142-149.
Garvey, T., & Yeh, B. T. (2013). State legalization of recreational marijuana: selected legal
issues. Congressional Research Service.
Hall, W., & Lynskey, M. (2016). Evaluating the public health impacts of legalizing recreational
cannabis use in the United States. Addiction, 111(10), 1764-1773.
Malouff, J. M., Rooke, S. E., & Copeland, J. (2014). Experiences of marijuana-vaporizer
users. Substance abuse, 35(2), 127-128.
Pacula, R. L., & Sevigny, E. L. (2014). Marijuana liberalization policies: why we can't learn
much from policy still in motion. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 33(1),
212-221.