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Project 1 ENGL 1213 - Summer 2023
Principles of English Composition II (ENGL 1213)
University of Oklahoma
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ENGL 1213
May 25, 2023 Word Count 1790 Should Marijuana Be Federally Legalized? The legalization of marijuana has spread like wildfire throughout the United States within the last couple of years. States have steadily been legalizing marijuana and seeing the impacts of the legalization in their community. For example, California has seen significant government financial gains due to the legalization of marijuana. States originally started legalizing marijuana only for medicinal use. Many people use CBD from the marijuana plant to treat pain, anxiety, depression, and nausea from chemotherapy. After marijuana became more widespread, especially in the media, states began legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. Some argue that marijuana should be legal under the federal government, and some strongly disagree. Legalizing marijuana federally will create regulation of this safe drug and debilitate the illegal marijuana market. The federal legalization of marijuana has garnered significant attention, with key stakeholders such as Senator Bernie Sanders, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws), and AALM (Americans Against Legalizing Marijuana), representing distinct perspectives on this contentious issue. By examining their different positions, Senator Bernie Sanders and NORML clearly think that marijuana should be legalized federally, however Governor Kevin Stitt and AALM disagree. These stakeholders begin their disagreement in definition, creating contrasting perspectives on the fundamental nature and scope of legalizing marijuana. Senator Sanders' approach within this issue is broad and inclusive, whereas AALM has a more traditional approach. This disagreement revolves around the boundaries and definition of the issue, which leads to differing stances on its
implications and potential solutions. NORML’s viewpoint is centered around inclusivity, individual rights, and social justice, however Governor Stitt’s viewpoint is more focused on practicality and the economy. Cannabis, popularly known as marijuana, has been used by humans for a very long time. The majority of prehistoric cultures grew the herb for medicinal purposes rather than for recreational use. Recreational marijuana users say, “it facilitates rest, relaxation, refreshment, and strengthening, with a view to enabling him to fulfill the duties of his state of life” when talking about why they use marijuana (“A virtue analysis of recreational marijuana use”). People also use marijuana for medical reasons. Medical marijuana can be used in treatment for Alzheimer's disease, Crohn's disease, HIV/AIDS, epilepsy and seizures, severe and chronic pain, nausea, and vomiting caused by chemotherapy (“Medical marijuana”). According to research, “The first significant cannabis regulation appeared in 1906 in Washington, D. California was the first to outlaw ‘preparations of hemp or loco weed’ in 1913” (Block). After California banned marijuana, many other states began to follow such as Wyoming, Texas, Oregon, Washington, and more. Most areas in the south and southwest banned recreational use of marijuana due to economics and prejudice (Block). Some states banned marijuana due to high crime rates that they blamed marijuana for. Additionally, “During The Great Depression (1929 - 1941), migrant workers from Mexico were no longer needed (nor welcome) in the United States. Since many of the migrant laborers smoked marihuana, it was thought that banning marijuana would encourage them to go back home, thus freeing jobs for unemployed Americans” (Block). Southern and southwestern states banned marijuana because of their own bias and discrimination occurring in the region. One of the reasons that many people want to federally legalize marijuana is that it starts the process of decriminalizing marijuana. According to the “Scientific American”, “People of color
serve as an advocate for consumers to assure they have access to high quality marijuana that is safe, convenient and affordable” (NORML). NORML obviously agrees with the federal legalization of marijuana. This group strongly states their argument falling in the stasis of definition regarding legalizing marijuana federally. They think that the impact of legalizing marijuana will be beneficial to the United States. By legalizing the drug, it leads to the decriminalization of marijuana, which takes the target off of minorities and low income individuals. They do not believe the drug is harmful or could lead to increased drug exposure.. They said, “The majority of American adults acknowledge having tried cannabis, but the overwhelming majority of these individuals never go on to try another illicit substance.” (NORML). They also argue that, “nothing in marijuana’s chemical composition alters the brain in a manner that makes users more susceptible to experimenting with other drugs. That’s why both the esteemed Institute of Medicine and the Rand Corporation’s Drug Policy Research Center conclude that ‘[M]arijuana has no causal influence over hard drug initiation’” (NORML). NORML does not think that marijuana is a “gateway drug” nor should it be classified under Schedule 1 substance, along with heroin and LSD. They do not classify marijuana to be harmful or dangerous to society therefore thinking it should be federally legalized. Opposite to NORML, Governor Kevin Stitt thinks that the federal legalization of marijuana has no benefits to the people and is harmful. Governor Stitt has always been a strong advocate against the legalization of marijuana federally. He uses arguments in definiton to oppose legalizing marijuana federally. Governor Stitt said, “Oklahomans didn't want it. They were so tired of dispensaries on every single corner so clearly we don't want... recreational... and I think there's an appetite to tighten up the medical side as well.” (Governor Kevin Stitt). He is claiming that he believes Oklahoma does not want to legalize recreational marijuana. He also
claims that some desire to tighten up the laws around medical marijuana. Governor Stitt also, “believes Oklahomans have a big heart when it comes to helping someone medically, but does not believe that ‘anybody with a hangnail should be able to get a medical card’” (Gables). In this point, Governor Stitt disagrees in the stasis of definition. Governor Stitt does believe that marijuana is dangerous and should not be legalized. Senator Bernie Sanders is another key stakeholder in the conversation involving the federal legalization of marijuana. Senator Sanders is currently serving his third term in the US Senate after being re-elected in 2018 (Sanders, Bernie). He has always been a strong representative for the federal legalization of marijuana. When he was running for President in 2020, he made a big emphasis on working towards reforming marijuana policies. He has an argument in the stasis of definition, claiming that marijuana is beneficial to the American citizens and is not harmful, therefore should be legalized. If elected in the 2020 Presidential Election, Senator Sanders planned on “immediately issuing an executive order that directs the Attorney General to declassify marijuana as a controlled substance” and “passing legislation to ensure permanent legalization of marijuana” (Sanders, Bernie). Like previous stakeholder NORML, Senator Sanders also argues that we need to legalize marijuana on a federal basis to decriminalize the drug. He believes the impact of decriminalization would lead to accessible and safe marijuana in the United States. Opposite to Governor Stitt, he believes that the impact of legalizing marijuana will decrease drug related crimes and that marijuana is not dangerous. Opposing Senator Sanders, AALM (Americans Against Legalizing Marijuana) disagrees in the stasis of definition. According to the AALM website, “AALM is a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing the latest information on the harms of marijuana to individuals and to our country” (AALM). AALM fights lobbyists and lawmakers that strive to
Sanders, Bernie. “About Bernie .” Senator Bernie Sanders, 6 Feb. 2023, sanders.senate/about-bernie/.
NORML. “ABOUT NORML.” NORML, 17 May 2023, norml/about-norml/.
Blessing, Esther M, et al. “Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders.” Neurotherapeutics : The Journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics, Oct. 2015, ncbi.nlm.nih/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/.
Clark, Peter A, et al. “Medical Marijuana: Medical Necessity versus Political Agenda.” Medical Science Monitor : International Medical Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research, Dec. 2011, ncbi.nlm.nih/pmc/articles/PMC3628147/.
AALM. “Educating the Public.” AALM, aalm./. Accessed 1 June 2023.
NORML. “FAQs.” NORML, 6 June 2020, norml/faqs/.
Gables/KFOR, Terré. “Gov. Stitt Aims to Tighten Medical Marijuana Laws.” KFOR Oklahoma City, 10 Mar. 2023, kfor/news/local/gov-stitt-aims-to-tighten-medical- marijuana-laws/.
Stitt, Kevin. “Governor Stitt Weekly Press Availability 3/10/23.” YouTube, 10 Mar. 2023, youtu/o2rtY98Lj0E.
Grucza, Richard A. “The Federal Government Should Decriminalize Marijuana.” Scientific American, 11 Apr. 2022, scientificamerican/article/the-federal-government- should-decriminalize-marijuana/.
Sanders, Bernie. “Legalizing Marijuana.” Bernie Sanders Official Website,
berniesanders/issues/legalizing-marijuana/. Accessed 1 June 2023.
Sanders, Bernie. “The Time Is Long Overdue for Us to Take Marijuana off the Federal Government’s List of Outlawed Drugs.” Twitter, 29 Oct. 2015, twitter/SenSanders/status/659719905957289984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp %5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E659719905957289984%7Ctwgr %5Eea23212e6c5137e363b535652fec56ec57df0205%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https marijuanamoment%2Fwhere-president.
Sullivan, Ezra, and Nicanor Austriaco. “A Virtue Analysis of Recreational Marijuana Use.” The Linacre Quarterly, May 2016, ncbi.nlm.nih/pmc/articles/PMC5102207/.
“Timeline of State Marijuana Legalization Laws – Third Way.” Third Way, thirdway/infographic/timeline-of-state-marijuana-legalization-laws. Accessed 1 June 2023.
“What You Can Expect from Medical Marijuana.” Mayo Clinic, 4 Dec. 2021, mayoclinic/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/medical-marijuana/art- 20137855.
“Why Marijuana Became Illegal.” Bruce Alan Block, P.L., brucealanblock/why- marijuana-became-illegal. Accessed 1 June 2023.
Project 1 ENGL 1213 - Summer 2023
Course: Principles of English Composition II (ENGL 1213)
University: University of Oklahoma
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