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Legalization of Marijuana “It is my considered opinion at present that marijuana is not harmful unless taken in enormous and excessive amounts. I believe that we are damaging this country, damaging our law enforcement situation, damaging our trust between older and younger people by its prohibition, and this is far more serious than any damage that might be done to a few overusers.” -Testimony of anthropologist Margaret Mead to Congress (October 27, 1969)- (masscann) An opinion shared by many throughout this great country. The legalization of cannabis has been an issue since the sixties and yet, nothing has come from this unending battle except harsher drug laws and more injustices by the federal government to its people. At first, cannabis was thought to be evil, and a deadly force sweeping through the nation. Today we know of many different uses for almost all parts of the plant, which I will delve into later in the paper. Also the government continues to deprive sick and dying people of a medicine which could ease their pain and calm their nausea. The prohibition of cannabis has gone on long enough, and here it must end. We will start with the medicinal uses of the cannabis plant. Every few months states pass referendums which legalize pot for the use of cancer and AIDS patients, but no sooner can they put the new law in place when the federal government comes crashing down with their iron fisted drug policy and smashes the idea to bits.
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