Pros and Cons of Legalising Marijuana - 1126 Words

Cannabis is becoming increasingly widespread and increasingly common in modern-day society for both recreational use and for medication. The article by Craig Reinarman, ‘Criminalisation, legalisation and the mixed blessing of medicalisation in the USA’ generates many controversial issues of cannabis. The two-sided debate between embracing medical use of the drug through the therapeutic benefits and the link between cannabis and psychosis is explored. This issues also stems the question of the legitimacy of legalisation and criminalisation of cannabis and how key concepts are raised including ‘moral entrepreneur’ and ‘social locus’. In today’s society as cannabis is becoming increasingly ‘normalised’, the theory that cannabis is a ‘gateway drug’ also arises. Despite the current marijuana laws, medical research has shown a variety of therapeutic benefits that arise from the use of cannabis. (Gowling et al. 1998, p. 446)) Revealed that ‘Over the years, cannabis has been claimed to increase appetite, relax the muscle, improve mood, relieve anxiety and combat pain and nausea’. As a result of these advantages, medical marijuana advocates support and has pushed for the legalisation of cannabis. However, it is argued that harmful effects can arise, demonstrating an association between cannabis with psychosis. Psychosis is a condition of the mind, involving a â€Å"loss of contact with reality†. Hall (1998) stipulated that ‘A high doses of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the