The Case for Marijuana Legalization: A Persuasive Essay Analysis

This persuasive essay delves into the contentious issue of marijuana legalization, presenting a comprehensive argument in favor of its acceptance. The paper begins with an introduction that establishes the debate's significance and outlines the essay's objective. It then provides background information, including varying state laws and perspectives from organizations like the Drug Policy Alliance. The essay's thesis asserts that the medical benefits of marijuana outweigh those of alcohol and tobacco, and that its legalization offers advantages such as potential tax revenue and job creation, while also acknowledging possible health concerns. The argument is supported by research, including studies on the impact of marijuana laws on teen use and comparisons of death rates associated with marijuana, alcohol, and other substances. The paper highlights the potential for decriminalization to reduce criminal activities. The essay acknowledges the strength of the arguments by accepting the adverse impact on society in terms of health issues, and also highlights the weakness of lack of graphical representation. The conclusion reiterates the potential benefits of marijuana legalization, such as increased investment opportunities and the potential for government revenue. The paper references several scholarly sources, including studies on medical marijuana, gender and marijuana politics, and the association of marijuana laws with teen use.

Running head: WHY MARIJUANA SHOULD BE LEGAL
Why marijuana should be legal
Enter: Name of the Student
Enter: Name of the University
Enter: Author Note

1WHY MARIJUANA SHOULD BE LEGAL
Introduction
The notable determination of this persuasive research paper is to focus whether
marijuana should be legalized or not. This paper will be very much to have a significant stand
about this debatable issue with the outcomes.
Background information
There are diverse categories of statements coming from Drug Policy Alliance (DPA),
which are related with the use of marijuana in our society. Currently marijuana laws are
varied in different states in USA.
Figure 1: States where marijuana is legalized in USA
(Source: Moeller & Woods, 2015)

2WHY MARIJUANA SHOULD BE LEGAL
Thesis
According to Elder & Greene (2019), the medical value of marijuana is much higher
than that of alcohol or tobacco. Based on their theories, it can be said that the introduction of
other additive substance with marijuana causes different types of health hazards like nausea
and chronic pain.
Choosing a position
This persuasive research paper shall be supporting the reasons in favour of the
legalization of marijuana.
Research
Menstrual cycles and most of the open wounds can be healed in the first place with
the help of marijuana. Taxation of marijuana can be very much beneficial for the government
from financial perspectives. There are different uses of marijuana, it can be used for both
addiction purposes as well as for medicinal purposes.
Arguments
According to Chemerinsky (2017), there are diverse categories of illegal drugs in
which the majority portion lies with marijuana. The investigators of this paper suggested that
marijuana is increasingly consumed for addictive purposes and it is having an adverse effect
on the progress of our society. However, as elaborated by Anderson et al. (2019), it can be
said that comparatively, the death rate with the consumption of marijuana is much lower than
that of alcohol and any other addictions. The authors provided the understanding that the
reduction in criminalization has been one of the most prime perceived advantages of
marijuana across United States. Creation of new jobs can be the other significant contribution
of marijuana as suggested by the researchers of this data source.

3WHY MARIJUANA SHOULD BE LEGAL
This paper emphasized that decriminalization enactments which were passed in the
year 2019, can be very much useful to understand the criminal activities. This can be
controlled or minimised if the possession of marijuana is restricted to a maximum of three
grams (Moeller & Woods, 2015). A similar bill HB323 was passed in the parliament of
Mexico, which supported the same House Bill 1383 passed from the Hawaii parliament in
2019.
Strength and weakness of the arguments
The main strength of the argument in this paper is that it accepted the fact that
marijuana could have an adverse impact on our society in terms of health issues. However,
logical and conclusive support can be drawn from the argument of the paper.
On the other hand, the lack of any graphical representation in the arguments of this
paper is the only weakness.
Conclusion
Importing and selling Marijuana can be very much beneficial for government
agencies from the business perspective. Restrictions in possession of marijuana can be very
much useful to minimize the adverse effects. Investment opportunities in the cannabis
corporations can be increased in the first place if it is legalized.

4WHY MARIJUANA SHOULD BE LEGAL
References
Anderson, D. M., Hansen, B., Rees, D. I., & Sabia, J. J. (2019). Association of marijuana
laws with teen marijuana use: new estimates from the youth risk behavior surveys.
JAMA pediatrics, 173(9), 879-881.
Chemerinsky, E. (2017). Marijuana Laws and Federalism. BCL Rev., 58, 857.
Elder, L., & Greene, S. (2019). Gender and the Politics of Marijuana. Social Science
Quarterly, 100(1), 109-122.
Moeller, K. E., & Woods, B. (2015). Pharmacy students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding
medical marijuana. American journal of pharmaceutical education, 79(6), 85.