Policies Towards the Legalization of Marijuana - Essay Example

Thesis topic: legalization of marijuana in Netherlands and some s in United s Introduction a) Thesis statement b) Policies in Netherlands 2. Body a) Consequences of consuming marijuana b) Experiments on the use of marijuana c) Results of marijuana in Netherlands d) Law on drugs in United Kingdom e) Health issues toward usage of cannabis f) Economic gains of legalizing marijuana g) Countries decriminalize the possession of marijuana h) Influence of the legalization of the drug in Netherlands to other countries 3. Conclusion A) summary of the thesis Introduction A number of countries have implemented policies towards the legalization of marijuana. Among the countries is Uruguay and Netherlands where possession of marijuana for personal use cannot get penalized. Other countries have however implemented policies that do not allow possession of marijuana citing the negative consequences of the drug. The paper addresses the liberal approach towards the policies on cannabis in Netherlands and also some states of America. There are discussions on the benefits towards the legalization of marijuana and also compares policies in the Netherlands with those in United Kingdom (Rödner et al. 2008, p. 34) Discussion Contrary to the policies in Netherlands many countries have emphasized on the negative consequences towards the legalization of marijuana. Countries cite that marijuana results to defragmenting the society and, therefore, must face rejection. Due to the different opinions there has been friction between Netherlands and other states that outlaw marijuana. However, some states are encouraging experiments on the issue to establish the action to take. Some countries have legal programs that see to it that cannabis gets produced for medical purposes, but do not advocate using the drug for recreational purposes (Boekhout 2004, p.12) Netherlands have recorded results towards the use of marijuana. After the legalization of marijuana in the country, the number f people who use cannabis have increased. However, the number has also increased in the states that have outlawed the consumption. The state has a high number of citizens looking for services in the addict care system. Therefore, the number of people who use marijuana has decreased in the state, and the use of marijuana is stabilizing. The country has also recorded a decrease in a number on the people who use hard drugs such as cocaine and also heroin. It, therefore, indicates that Netherlands is among the countries in Europe that has the lowest number of addicts (Room et al. 2008, p. 23) Irrespective of the fact that there has been a rise in the usage of marijuana in Netherlands the number of citizens addicted is stable. The stepping stone theory that got applied in the country has, therefore, proven to be effective. Similar to the neighboring countries, Netherlands has also witnessed a high number of individuals who use XTC. People who use the drug are young people however the rate has recorded decrease in the recent years (Hall 2003, p.34) On the contrary to the policies in Netherlands, the United Kingdom has laws prohibiting the usage of the drug. The offence towards the use of the drug is found in the drugs act 1971 on the misuse of the drug. The rules resemble the Dutch law, and it states that the possession, production and also supply of a controlled drug are not allowed. The difference between the two acts however is the classification of marijuana and also the penalties involved. Drugs that are illegal are grouped into three classifications; class A is made up of the most dangerous drugs and the highest penalties are charged. Marijuana falls in the second category; it can get a punishment of an unlimited fine and also imprisonment of 5 or 7 years (MacCoun 2001, p.56) The sentencing of a person in possession of cannabis in the United Kingdom depends on the history of the person. The 2005 drug act in the United Kingdom act s2 indicates that possessing a drug of a greater amount than person use was meant for supply. However, no quantity is defined. The United Kingdom has conducted a harm assessment towards the use of marijuana. The health consequences are not covered in the law. For example, the number of deaths that have occurred due to ecstasy has been applied as evidence in both sides of the debate. It is, therefore, proven that ecstasy is dangerous and justifies the anti-drug policies (Wodak 2002, p.43) Opponents in the United Kingdom have argued that MDMA overdose it the major cause of death and the fatalities are; as a result, of dangerous substances in the water intoxication and also a pill. It is illustrated that MDMA is not lethal but lack of information on the side effects and also regulation of the substance. However, the analysis on the drug is difficult due to the hysteria on the drug debate. On the case of Netherlands, there are provisions on an alternative of the pill testing procedures. The procedure reduces the risk and also stigma to the users. The authorities are able to gather much intelligence from the procedure. The program has also been successful towards reducing the harmful effects of cannabis. The rate of death of people due to drug abuse is lower in Netherlands compared to European Union states (Miron 2005, p.10) The enforcement of marijuana laws costs much money to the United States government. It also cost the government billions of dollars of the taxes, and the government could use the money toward the legalization of cannabis. There are many advantages associated to legalization of marijuana. It is a sector that could offer many jobs to the people. It got proven that tobacco causes 435,000-deaths in America each year; alcohol also causes 85,000-deaths each year. However, there are no deaths associated towards the use of marijuana (Caulkins et al. 2012, p.45). In the state of Uruguay, a bill that was sponsored by the government was passed and aims in the regulation of marijuana. It regulates cultivation, consumption and also distribution of the drug. Consumers of the drug are able to purchase 40 grams of marijuana every month from the licensed pharmacies. However, a person must be a Uruguayan resident, and the purchase is regulated by the government database. Uruguayans are allowed to plant six-marijuana plants in their homesteads. The legalization of the drug is seen by leaders as a method of eliminating violence in the drug trade and also eliminating the use of hard drugs such as cocaine (Rödner et al. 2008, p. 35) Many countries have decriminalized the possession of marijuana in Uruguay and also Netherlands for allowing the selling of marijuana in the coffee shops. However, Uruguay will be the initial state to allow the full chain of marijuana that includes growing the plant, buying and also selling the product. The united states of Colorado and also Washington has adopted initiatives that allow and regulate the use of marijuana for recreational service. Uruguay has defended their initiative as a way of regulating and also taxing the available market that has been run by criminals (Boekhout 2004, p.14). Uruguay has also resulted to be among the safest countries in Latin America. It records few cases of violence due to drugs compared to the violence in Mexico and also Colombia. The policy has however faced fierce opposition; many people in the country do not agree that the legalization of marijuana is a good solution. The country has also been used by criminals are transit route in transporting the drug to other countries. Critics indicate that legalization of cannabis increases the number of people who consume the drug and also increase the chances for consumption of hard drugs (Room et al. 2008, p. 25). On the case, that legalization of marijuana in Uruguay and also Netherlands works it will fuel momentum towards the legalization of the substance in other countries including United Kingdom and also United States. States that outlaw possession of marijuana record that the outlawing of the drug has caused a reduction in the rate of violence. However, an innovative model towards the consumption of the drug can get developed and improve the public health (Hall 2003, p.35). Conclusion Legalization of marijuana is a process that requires critical analysis by the lawmakers. It records consequences that may be beneficial or fatal to the population in the state. Proper regulation of the substance is required to avoid misuse. Some benefits can be recorded such as the taxes obtained from the trade and authorities need to consider all the effects. References List Boekhout, . S. T. (2004). Dealing with drugs in Europe: An investigation of European drug control experiences: France, the Netherlands and Sweden. The Hague: BJu Legal Publ. [u.a.. pp 12-14 Caulkins, J. P., Hawken, A., Kilmer, B., & Kleiman, M. (2012). Marijuana legalization: What everyone needs to know. London, Routledge. Pp. 45 Hall W, Pacula RL (2003) Cannabis Use and Dependence. Public Health and Public Policy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Pp. Pp.34-35 MacCoun R, Reuter P (2001) Drug War Herisies Learning from Other Vices, Times and Places. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.pp.56 Miron J (2005). The budgetary implications of Marijuana prohibition. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University pp. 10 Rödner, S. S., Olsson, B., Room, R., & European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. (2008). A cannabis reader: Global issues and local experiences : perspectives on cannabis controversies, treatment and regulation in Europe. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities. pp 34-35 Room R, Fischer B, Hall W, Lenton S, Reuter P (2008) Cannabis Policy: Moving beyond stalemate. Oxford: Beckely Foundation pp. 23-25 Wodak A, Reinarman C, Cohen P (2002) Cannabis control: costs outweigh the benefits. British Medical Journal 324: 105–106. pp.43 Read More