A Brief View Of The History Of Marijuana Legalization Essay

The legalization of marijuana is, and has been a heavily disputed issue for decades. On one hand, marijuana could lead to a medical breakthrough, or at least provide relief to cancer and AIDS patients. On the other hand, legalizing a drug could expose it to too broad an audience. As a drug, marijuana has never proven to be anywhere near as harmful as cigarettes or alcohol. Each year in the United States, 400,000 people die from tobacco, 50,000 from alcohol, and from marijuana, zero. Regardless of what side one may take to this argument, there are some causes to this marijuana debate that everyone should know. Marijuana was not always illegal, and the reasons behind the history of narcotic regulation are interesting when viewed from†¦show more content†¦In more recent history, the late 1900s were filled with important decisions by politicians regarding marijuana. During the Kennedy administration in the 1960s, Vietnam was a major issue, and the public, especially college stu dents, turned to marijuana as a form of dissent. As this happened, enforcement lessened; courts dismissed marijuana charges or imposed only modest fines. (Gerber) In 1960, there were only 169 marijuana related convictions in the entire United States. During this time, marijuana was seen more as an escape and protest. Time Magazine saw marijuana use as an attention worthy means of protest. (Time) Crime rates did not rise, and no major health problems had appeared to be caused by the drug. The 1962 White House Conference on Drug Abuse concluded that there was only weak evidence indicating that marijuana leads to using harder drugs. (Eldridge) At that point in time, it almost seems as if we were the closest weve ever been as a nation to decriminalizing the drug. By the 1970s, however, the war on drugs took a turn towards the more conservative end of the spectrum. The Nixon administration chose to attribute crime to drug use; Nixon personally disliked all illegal drugs, and convinced Am ericans that if more arrests were made on drug related charges the crime rates would go down. It is almost unbelievable that the drug has been unable to shake this stigma. Compared to the policies Nixon introduced, policies nowadays are evenShow MoreRelatedMarijuana: Drug or Cure? Essay1191 Words   |  5 Pageshappens to be over the legalization of Marijuana. As of 1970 with the passing of The Controlled Substances Act the Federal Government officially classified marijuana as a schedule 1 drug with no real accepted medicinal use at the time (History of Marijuana). As the capabilities of science have progressed over time more and more scientific challenges have bombarded this decision so that more tangible research can be garnered from this plant. The earliest known mention of marijuana as a recreationalRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?1118 Words   |  5 Pagesover-exaggerated jail sentences (pertaining to marijuana charges) is a very big problem in the US. I chose this topic because I had heard so many horror stories of people being sentenced at least 9-10 years on marijuana possession charges just to fill prisons, and it made me extremely upset. What angered me even more was the proof of racially motivated arrests/sentencing in many instances of unjust marijuana related arrests. While these people were â€Å"busted† for carrying marijuana and subsequently jailed for decadesRead MoreEssay about Why Marijuana Should Be Legalized1554 Words   |  7 Pageserroneous. Early in the 1900s, a surge of Mexicans immigrated to the U.S., and the marijuana they brought with them was quickly associated with them. In the 1930s, tensions between white Americans and Mexican immigrants were heightened due to the Great Depression, and the use of marijuana was ultimately prohibited for the general public in 1937 with the Marijuana Tax Act (Marijuana Timeline). By the 1960s, marijuana became a symbol of counterculture, and the government stopped any research involvedRead MoreBenefits of Medical Marijuana Essay990 Words   |  4 Pages Legalizing Marijuana Marijuana is a very controversial and obtrusive issue in our society today. Although many have made malicious remarks about it in the past, and even still in the present, the truth and beneficial facts of marijuana are finally resurfacing. Unfortunately, our society has become a very critical crowd towards the legalization of marijuana due to the stereotypical view of the kind of people who are considered â€Å"pot smokers†. This contorted perception of a lazy and unmotivated AmericaRead MoreThe Drug Policies Of Drug Regulations995 Words   |  4 Pagesravages our neighborhoods. Children of drug abusers are neglected, abused, and even abandoned. The only beneficiaries of this war are organized crime members and drug dealers. There needs to be sensible reform of drug regulations. I will try to be brief but I’m going to go through a chronological overview of past presidents and the effects that they had during their presidencies during the war on drugs. The Early stages of the what are considered drugs were used primarily for medical reasons. GrantedRead MoreAnalysis Of Cannabis While PregnantRisks Babys Health1219 Words   |  5 Pages21-27. This secondary article written by Fergusson and Northstone investigate the question frequently brought up about the increased use of cannabis in developed countries. This increase in use has questioned researchers about the extent to which marijuana use is harmful and if so, what is that limit. Another aspect of concern is the effects of cannabis on an unborn fetus and can that lead to miscarriage. The authors point out the difficulties in finding evidence that indicates a low birth weight inRead MoreThe Issue Of Legalization Of Marijuana Essay1857 Words   |  8 PagesLegalization of Marijuana The role that social policies have in the lives of every citizen cannot be understated, as the rules, regulations, and laws that govern our society provide the foundation off which our social welfare system operates. Over the past several decades, the social policy issue of the legalization of marijuana has gained substantial traction in the public eye, making it a priority topic to be addressed on the government agenda. With Colorado and Washington becoming the firstRead MoreThe War On Drugs And The United States1063 Words   |  5 PagesBeccaria (1974), laws were conditioned under man as a ways to unite our society. On the contrary, the term war on drugs was coined by President Richard Nixon in 1971. He described these illegal drugs as public enemy number one in the U.S. (A brief history of the drug war)†. During the late 1980s, the political mania about drugs led Congress and state legislatures to increase campaigns against drug use. For instance, First Lady Nancy Reagan b egan the â€Å"Just Say No campaign in the 1980s (Drug LawRead MoreThe Legal Response Of Marijuana Possession1752 Words   |  8 Pagesmany times throughout history in attempt to control and deter civilians from the use of substances or from different types of behaviors that are believed to be destructive. More recently, several types have been discussed in terms of the social problem of substance abuse and ways that can be implemented in the methods of attempting to prevent the continued global spread of this problem. According to MacCoun, Reuter, Pacula, et al, â€Å"The appropriate legal response to marijuana possession has been aRead MoreThe War On Drugs And The United States1063 Words   |  5 PagesBeccaria (1974), laws were conditioned under man as a way to unite our society. On the contrary, the term war on drugs was coined by President Richard Nixon in 1971. He described these illegal drugs as public enemy number one in the U.S. (A brief history of the drug war)†. During the late 1980s, the political mania about drugs led Congress and state legislatures to increase campaigns against drug use. For instance, First Lady Nancy Reagan began the â€Å"Just Say No campaign in the 1980s (Drug Law

Characteristics Of A Chromosomal Disorder Essay - 955 Words

A chromosomal disorder is caused by an abundance or reduction of genes on the chromosomes. This type of disorder may also be caused by structural changes within these chromosomes; this is known as an aneuploidy (Porth, 2015). The most common chromosomal disorder is Down syndrome of which there are three types: complete trisomy 21, translocation, and mosaicism (Porth, 2015). Since its first identification in 1866, researchers have become more knowledgeable about the etiology of Down syndrome. When one studies etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations of Down syndrome, he or she will begin to understand multiple chromosomal disorders. Typically, the nucleus of each cell stores forty-six chromosomes. Half of these chromosomes derive from each parent cell. However, in those with Down syndrome, the cells contain forty-seven chromosomes. Researchers’ knowledge of the etiology of Down syndrome has grown since it was first described in 1866 by John Langon Down (National Dow n Syndrome Society, 2012). According to the National Down Syndrome Association (2012), 95% of the Down syndrome cases are caused by a fault in cell division. Although it is clear that this disorder occurs because of an alteration during cell division, the cause as to why this occurs is unknown. However, the pathogenesis of this disorder is clear. The pathogenesis of this disorder begins with nondisjunction during meiosis, which is failure of the chromosomes to separate. Today, it is known that thereShow MoreRelatedGenetic Disease : Turner Syndrome1104 Words   |  5 PagesIn 1938, Dr. Henry Turner first described Turner Syndrome. Turner Syndrome a genetic disease that only affects girls, in fact, it is one of the most common sexual development disorders (Radtke et al. 2014). It is caused by an abnormal sex chromosome, either an abnormal X chromosome or a missing X chromosome. The sex chromosome contributed by the father to the child determines the sex of the child because the moth er always contributes an X chromosome whereas the father can contribute either an X chromosomeRead MoreGenetic Disorders and Down Syndrome Essay969 Words   |  4 PagesA genetic disorder is a disease that is caused by an abnormality in an individuals DNA. Abnormalities can range from a small mutation in a single gene to the addition or subtraction of an entire chromosome or set of chromosomes† (Letsou). Most individuals are either related to or know someone who is effected by some type of disability. Many of these disabilities are caused by genetic disorders. Genetic disorders may alter physical appearance and cause mild to severe mental retardation. Fragile XRead MoreTurner Syndrome : A Chromosomal Disorder1165 Words   |  5 PagesTurner Syndrome Shinji Lin December 15, 2015 Period 5 Turner syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that affects development in females. This condition is caused by a missing or incomplete X chromosome. In 1938, Henry Turner, an American endocrinologist, described seven women with short stature, lack of sexual development, neck webbing (extra skin on neck), low hairline, and cubitus valgus (arms that turn out at the elbow). Years earlier, Otto Ullrich, a German geneticist, independently describedRead MoreDown Syndrome Essay1515 Words   |  7 PagesDown Syndrome Downs Syndrome, it is one of the most frequently occurring chromosomal abnormalities found in humans effecting people of all ages, races and economic levels. It is a chromosomal anomaly in cell development that results in a person being born with forty-seven chromosomes instead of the normal forty-six chromosomes. People with Down syndrome may have mild to severe learning disabilities and physical symptoms, which include a small skull, extra folds of skin under the eyes, andRead MoreGenetic Carrier Screening3033 Words   |  12 Pagesgenetic and chromosomal disorders which may affect offspring during after parturition. If tests are performed, one gains knowledge of any high risk genetic or abnormalities which may be present and carry a high risk of altering an individuals health. Genetics disorders are formed by a disease which is inherited genetically from parent to offspring. The genetic disorder results from a change in the DNA sequence. A chromosome abnormality is a missing or extra portion of chromosomal DNA. It canRead MoreA Brief Look at Down Syndrome670 Words   |  3 Pagesextra full or partial copy of chromosome 21. Down Syndrome is a chromosomal condition that causes low muscle tone, small stature, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm. Although, each person with Down Syndrome is a unique individual and may have these characteristics to different degrees. The cause of nondisjunction is still unknown, although scientists have made steps further to understanding this genetic disorder. For centuries, people with Down Syndrome were thought to need specialRead MoreTrisomy 18 Essay756 Words   |  4 PagesEdward’s Syndrome or also known as Trisomy 18 is a very serious and uncommon disorder, and there are three types of this disorder: Full, Partial, and Mosaic Trisomy 18. Trisomy 18 is a chromosomal condition that affects not only one part of the body, but usually many different limbs. Five to ten percent of the individuals with this disorder can live their lives with it, but they have to deal with severe disabilities. Since Edward’s Syndrome is not common, there are only a few solutions for theRead MoreThe Biological Nature Of Genes1063 Words   |  5 Pagessecond half progresses, Sturtevant discusses the beginnings of many modern-day topics and fields of Genetics. Through continued chromosomal study, Creighton and McClintock proved that chromosomes exchange parts during crossing over. Work is sex-determination was also continued by Morgan and Bridges in Drosophila to show non-disjunction and sex determining characteristics and genes. Muller’s work in evolution of mutations exposed the mutagenic effects of X-rays on genes and the danger that is posesRead MoreEssay about Down Syndrome941 Words   |  4 Pagesof these miracles learn that their children are â€Å"not normal.† Every year 6,000 parents across the country are informed that their child has a genetic disorder called Down Syndrome (â€Å"National Down Syndrome Society,† n.d.). Within a matter of minutes parents learn that children with Down Syndrome can also have a variety of other conditions and disorders, will not develop in the same way that other children do, and may even have a shorter life span. However, children with Down Syndrome are happy-go-luckyRead Mor eHistory of the Patau Syndrome1850 Words   |  7 PagesPatau Syndrome, otherwise known as T13 is a very rare and lethal genetic disorder in which a person has three copies of chromosome 13 instead of two. T13 is characterized by the presence of an assortment of heart and brain malformation in newborns. Children with the disease are often born with multiple birth defects that are normally associated with T13 but not limited to it, including small eyes, undescended testicles, cleft lip/palate, and they consistently exhibit signs of mental deficiency and/or

What Gives Us Our Identity free essay sample

Who and what gives us our identity? There are many things that make up who we are today. Which include language, culture, race, personal choices, nationality, tastes in music, food, etc. I believe that the most important components of our identity comes from our race, culture, religion and socio—economic status. Race and religion play an important role in formation of our identity because these factors are the roots. The beginning of the beginning. Race is something that you can’t change, no matter what. Race isn’t just a color, it’s a lifestyle. Where ever you go in life, your race will always play an important role. On the other hand, religion also is a very important aspect of identity. It is what leads you on in life and teaches you how to live life from your ancestors’ point of view. Culture is something that falls into the same category. We will write a custom essay sample on What Gives Us Our Identity? or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It is something that your parents has been following all of their lives. They do wish to pass their culture on to their children in order for their future generations to experience and follow what they’ve been living. Lastly, socio-economic status is a different type of a component of our identity. As I mentioned earlier race, culture and religion are kind of things that has been passed on from millions and millions of years. Whereas, a socio-economic status is something that can be altered from time to time. An economic status does get passed down from their parents , however it is the responsibility of the individual himself to change his/her status after entering the real world. Social status depends on the individual’s personal choices and worldviews. Whatever attracts and interests someone, they will start to build their social circle upon these aspects. Overall socio-economic status, culture, race and religion are the most important aspects that gives us our identity.