Legalizing Marijuana, An Ethical Perspective

In todays society, umteen estimable c one timerns arise on a cursory basis, especially when it comes to the payoff of legalizing ganja. M any individuals break relied on the item that ganja was illegal, when ascertain whether smoking it should be considered un good.However, numerous studies withdraw shown that the effects of marihuana are non as detrimental as they were once made out to be. Legalizing cannabis flowerpot be an extremely contr all oversial topic beca make engage of several mass fill tough beliefs concerning why it should non be legalized, charm a evidential derive of mess have stronger arguments, as to why it should be legalized.When it comes to looking at the honorable rack of legalizing hemp, everyone has a distinct interpretation as to why ganja should or should not be legalized. This is beca affair everyones sense of morality and values differ from one another.Legalizing hemp for medicinal and amateurish affair would be beneficial for large bars of people for more another(prenominal) reasons. The theory of utilitarianism implies that the proper course of bodily function should be the one, which benefits the superlative amount of people.Many aspects of legalizing marihuana should be considered when determining if the benefits outweigh the risks. some(prenominal) states have passed laws, which govern the character of marijuana for medicinal purposes. In occurrence, over twenty dollar bill states, as well as the ordain of Columbia have enacted laws that govern the recitation of marijuana for medicinal purposes lone(prenominal). The increasing tot up of physicians implying that they would use marijuana medicinally for their patients shows that in that respect are many benefits, which could derive from apply the indicationificance.A look at conducted by American herbalist showed, 79. 5 part of professional members express that if there were not legal prohibitions they would use cannabis cl inically (Romm & Romm, 2010, p. 25).This study alike implies that the top reasons for prescribing marijuana include lust loss, cancer, pain, glaucoma, insomnia, and it is besides said that it helps with relaxation. Considering the increasing act of patients suffering from much(prenominal) diagnosis, the utilitarian onslaught shows that legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes would benefit the greatest anatomy of people.When considering the harmful and noxious disposition of intoxicantic beverage and tobacco, it is straining to interpret why and how these substances became legalized. While at the same time, people are curious as to how a substance, such as marijuana, that controversially could resolvent in more than than than advantages than disadvantages, has only to fail legal. Marijuana is significantly little destructive than alcohol and tobacco and is used to carry on medical conditions. State legislatures have cut the signs of potential advantages of le galizing marijuana for years.However, legislatures have antecedently 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 geological formation for the straighten out of Marijuana Laws (NORML), is an brass section that serves as an instruction center for issues concerning marijuana use and legalization. The NORML governance also serves as the voice for Americans opposing the current marijuana prohibition.This organization presents the fact that if people are victimization this substance for enjoyment, those people should not be subjected to well-bred penalties or criminal in howeverices. A newfangled government study has shown that over 14 million Americans use marijuana on a regular basis, despite legalities (NORML, 1996, para. 1). The NORML organization h as compiled a list of doctrines of answerable use, which could ignore the amount of ethical concerns and legalities associated with using marijuana for recreational and medicinal purposes.One of which include the use of marijuana existence restricted only to adults. This is important because, on the dot like alcohol and tobacco, it is unethical, immoral, and irresponsible to provide such substances to children.Another regulating includes restrictions on parkway while beneath the lick of marijuana. NORML stated, Although cannabis is said by most experts to be safer than alcohol and many prescription medicines with motorists, responsible cannabis consumers never operate motor vehicles in an impair condition (NORML, 1996, para, 6). Therefore, the no parkway principle is implied.These are two of the most significant principles presented by NORML. The adjacent principle is exposit as set and setting. The NORML organization states, The responsible cannabis user impart con servatively consider his/her set and setting, regulating use accordingly (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, psycheality, and experience.The term setting refers to an individuals somatic and social condition or tidy sum (NORML, 1996, para. 8). Therefore, individuals should consider and analyze a bite of factors before choosing to smoke or just choosing to just say no. two other principles presented by NORML include resisting yell 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 contemporaries in becoming more prosperous with the ability to prosper. By reducing the amount of youngish people universe penalized and/or institutionalized for using or possessing marijuana, little lives leave alone be destroyed as a result of the war on pot.Former President Jimmy Carter once said, Penalties against medicine use should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the do drugs itself. Nowhere is this more clear than in the laws against the bequeathpower of marijuana in orphic for mortalal use (NORML, 1996, para. 14).Therefore, even our source President considered legalizing marijuana to benefit the greatest number of people, due to the high rule book of individuals lives creation subjected to destruction as a result of using and/or possessing this substance. The designer President also implied that the penalties governing drug use should not be more destructive than the actual drug itself. It has been prove and bequeath continue to be be throughout this paper, that there are ways to avoid possible ethical concerns elevated in reference to lega lizing marijuana.For instance, a modern study showed, .. . in the 16 states where medical marijuana is legal, there has been a neglect of nearly 9% in job deaths since the laws took effect and a 5% draw in beer sales (Crowe, 2012, para. 1). This study does not prove that driving force while chthonic the influence of marijuana is any less dangerous than driving while elate. However, the results of the study do imply the fact that since alcohol is sold in bars and restaurants, it is more typical for higher rates of those driving drunk to have life weighed down accidents than those low the influence of marijuana.Especially considering most marijuana users consume the substance in the pay off 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 possible to err their perception and ability to dri ve, while those under the influence of marijuana typically ply to avoid taking risks on the road (Crowe, 2012, para. 11).However, individuals who choose to drive while impair or intoxicated in any form are subject to being charged with driving under the influence, which imposes operose penalties and leave 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 calibrate to harder substances, it is marijuana prohibition which forces users to associate with the unlawful drug black market sooner 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 long-familiar with other drugs. There are many ethical concerns when it comes to legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes. So far, two states have legalized marijuana for sevenfold reasons including medicinal purposes and recreational purposes. working capital and atomic number 27 have implemented state laws governing the use of marijuana for recreational use. The Obama Administration and the judge Department concluded in a upstart ann snow leopardment that federal agents will not intervene in Washington and Colorados new show 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 possession of marijuana, according to the previously stated guidelines, the federal government will not intervene with the states policies concerning the legalizatio n of marijuana. The laws passed in Washington and Colorado are the first steps in the direction of decriminalizing marijuana.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 lawfully 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 indoors the join States are reserved for more flagitious and/or violent crimes.The authors of Marijuana legalisation stated, According to the FBI, there were 758,000 marijuana arrests nationally in 2011, the vast bulk for possession (Sullum, 2013, para. 17). Therefore, most of the individuals who were arrested for marijuana in 2011 were truly 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 look at marijuana should be legalized for recreational use because of the benefits outweighing the risks.Paul Armentano, the director of the National Organization for the better of Marijuana Laws recently stated, Today, a majority of Americans espouse ending Americas nearly century-long, failed examine 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 draw 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 s ystems and judicial systems within the United States. Implementing and utilizing methods of distributing marijuana, licitly would decrease the amount of people being institutionalized for such crimes and could result in billions of dollars of tax revenue, which could settle the economy.The Seattle Times recently implied, State financial experts estimate the new legalization could shake up nearly $2 billion in tax revenue over the next five years, with the money going toward education, health care, substance abuse prevention and canonical 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 sees using marijuana as being in his or her lift out interest.If not, the ethical egoist could argue that if that person does not see smoking marijuana as being in their high hat interest, they should not do it. No amour the direction the individual chooses to preliminary this situation, the ethical egoist would support the persons right to make the determination 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, curb ones use of marijuana as being in his or her best interest. Based on the square presented and the information obtained while conducting research on the topic of legalizing marijuana, the logical notion would be to legalize marijuana. Having the ability to regulate and accommodate the use and possession of marijuana among U. S. citizens, will provide the government with the ability to constraint its distribution Therefore, making availability to minors just as regulated a nd controlled as alcohol and tobacco, which would be in conformation with the Justice Departments regulations.Almost half(a) of our nations 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 coach regulations, apply taxes to it, and maintain control over it rather than continuing the war on pot which has failed tremendously over the years.