Marijuana legalization outline

The Legalization ofMarijuanaThesis Statement: The legalization of marijuana in the United States would create a drastic change by forming a more productive society through all of the positive uses of cannabis, physically, economically, and socially.

I. Examination of the plant

• A. The other common names—hemp, cannabis, bud, and weed
• B. Society’s views on the plant are very stereotypical

1. Known as harmful, deathly, and hazardous

• A. It is said that one’s attitude can be alarming and harmful to others
• B. Marijuana can be consumed in baked goods, vaporized, or even brewed
• C. Brownies can be cooked with marijuana. Tea or coffee can be brewed with the plant
• D. THC is the main chemical

1. The amount can be regulated
2. It determines the strength of the high

• A. Marijuana has been proved to help and cure many diseases andhealthproblems
• B. Glaucoma, epilepsy, arthritis, chronic pain, anddepressioncan be cured and prevented with the use of marijuana
• C. Marijuana can even help one with aids

II. Past legality in the United States

• A. At one point in time, it was 100% legal
• B. It was one of the largest agricultural crops in the world
• C. The first law to exist in the U. S. was a law demanding the U. S. farmers to grow hemp
• D. In 1920, cannabis, hemp, and marijuana became illegal
• E. It remained illegal until World War II
• G. In 1948, all forms of marijuana were illegal again and still remains to be illegal.

III. The United States’ debt and taxation

• A. As of February of 2013, the national debt was $16, 797, 828, 899, 087.
• B. The death rates are more common for other abused substances
• C. 50, 000 people each year die from alcohol poisoning.
• D. More than 400, 000 deaths are attributed to tobaccosmoking.

There are zero deaths related to the use of cannabis.

• A. The amount of Americans who smoke is substantial . 25 million Americans smoke marijuana in the past year.
• B. More than 14 million people smoke regularly.
• C. Enforcing marijuana prohibition costs taxpayers an estimated $10 billion annually.
• D. More than 750, 000 individuals are arrested per year
• G. The number ofmoneytaxpayers pays to equip the state and federal prison facilities are substantial and would decrease with the legalization of marijuana

IV. Regulations in stores vs. on the streets

• A. Cigarettes and alcohol are monitored
• B. One must be 18 to purchase any tobacco product
• C. One must be 21 to purchase an alcoholic beverage
• D. Marijuana is sold on the streets to anyone who wishes to purchase it
• E. The legalization could help prevent the smoking of underage teens
• G. Crime rates would decrease, as well as drug cartels

V. Dangers

• A. Studies of the harm to the body caused by marijuana
• B. It shows no sign of brain cell damage
• C. Not one case of lung cancer has been found caused solely by marijuana
• D. Overdose will not occur if one smoked too much

VI. California

• A. Decriminalized Marijuana
• B. California was the first state to decriminalize it
• C. The crime percentage dropped by 24%

VII. Legalization in Colorado and Washington

• A. Illegal to anyone under the age of 21
• B. An adult can legally possess up to 1oz of dried marijuana, 16oz of marijuana solids (edibles), and 72oz of cannabis-infused liquids
• C. Minors are still arrested and/or charged and will face sentencing
• D. Public consumption would remain a violation in both states, but a civil, not criminal, one