Legalization of Marijuana

In the United States many farmers grew the cannabis plant, mostly for it's hemp, which could be used to produce paper, rope, and clothes. However, the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 officially banned the growing, use, or possession of marijuana. The drug quickly became demonized, as it was blamed for reasons behind why people went crazy, or used an ax to murder a whole town, however, there was no actual scientific basis behind why marijuana was "bad." This, in part, was due to limitations on scientific research. The technologies to research marijuana and its effects in depth had not been developed until recently. America should legalize marijuana because it has no substantial reason for beings classifies as a Schedule I Drug, it would be helpful to the economy by bringing in tax revenue, decreasing money spent on drug investigations, as well as reducing crime, and it has health benefits for those with chronic pain along with those who use marijuana for recreational use.

Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I drug, deeming it one of the most dangerous substances a person can ingest. However, marijuana does not belong on this list because it does not meet the criteria of Schedule I. The Drug Enforcement Administration defines the criteria for Schedule I as follows:

1. The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse. 2. The drug

or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in

the United States. 3. There is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug

or other substance under medical supervision (DEA).

Included on the list of Schedule I drugs are, heroine, cocaine, LSD, meth, crack cocaine, and PCP.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that allows for feelings of happiness and pleasure, and it plays a major role in whether a drug has high potential for abuse or not. In her book, Advanced Psychology, Christine Brain explains the chemical reactions in the brain after using cocaine, "cocaine acts like amphetamine – a stimulant that stimulates dopamine synapses by increasing the release of dopamine and blocking its re-uptake. So the dopamine remains in the synaptic gap for longer and contiunues to stimulate receptors" (271). This build up of dopamine allows the individual to experience a state of euphoria. However, after cocaine is worked through the body's system, dopamine levels fall far under their original starting point. This results in the individual feeling depressed, causing him or her to crave more cocaine in order to feel "happy" again. The sustained use of cocaine will increase the individual's tolerance level by reducing the number of dopamine receptors. This, of course, only causes the individual to increase each dose of cocaine ingested at one time, which only perpetuates the cycle of use and addiction.

Recent scientific research has found that marijuana does not have the same affects on the brain as other Schedule I drugs. Miles Herkenham PHD, Senior Investigator at the National Institute of Mental Health stated "The effects of cannabinoids on dopamine circuits thought to be common mediators of reward are indirect and different from those drugs such as cocaine and morphine which directly affect extracellular dopamine levels and produce craving and powerful drug-seeking behavior" (Herkenham). Since dopamine is not altered in anyway by marijuana, it is impossible to develop a physical dependence on the drug. Marijuana only affects the THC receptors in the brain, leaving all other parts and receptors alone. Also people, who smoke marijuana, either medically or recreationally, do not build up a tolerance to it. The THC receptors in the brain have a limit to the amount of marijuana they can take, when that limit is reached the receptors shut off. Therefore, there is not a high potential for abuse when considering Marijuana.

While marijuana is an illegal drug because it is thought of as dangerous, alcohol is legal. Alcohol triggers the release of dopamine, and endorphins that are a chemical related to the body's natural painkiller. Because of the release of these chemicals alcohol could be classified as a highly addictive drug using the Schedule I criteria. According to The U.S. Centers for Disease Control, 20,687 "alcohol-induced deaths" were reported in 2003, not including accidents and homicides (Heron Melonie, Donna L. Hoyert and Sherry L. Murphy). Yet, there are zero deaths reported due to marijuana overdoses each year. When comparing marijuana to alcohol Dr. Mitch Earleywine concludes "The evidence is clear, Cannabis has no lethal dose, so you can't die from it. The impact on the brain structure for cannabis is nil, but there