Post by nickme112 on Dec 5, 2012 7:03:55 GMT -5
In some instances, individuals have to put their private interests below the interests of society as a whole. However, many Americans have chosen to put their private interests ahead of the public interests demonstrated by the legalization of marijuana. Citizens have advocated for legalization as well as many public officials. These public officials have manipulated the actual role that legal marijuana would play in society in order to profit. The illegality of marijuana has never stopped its roots from taking a firm hold in America, but the fact that government officials are allowing the drug to become legal and more readily accessible is absolutely absurd. The manipulative nature of government officials surrounding the legalization of marijuana reveals that often individuals in power abuse their role in society and disregard the well being of the majority by using the rhetoric of a minority to fuel a growing hysteria for profit.
By consciously ignoring the federal legal status of marijuana, government officials are contributing to this rhetoric of consensus, and bolstering some citizens’ fervor toward legalization. At its core, this legalization shows that often a small group will form a rhetoric of consensus, similar to the rhetoric against witches in The Crucible. With regards to marijuana, that small group consists mostly of the youth of America, and by openly supporting legalization government officials are leaving the fate of America in inexperience, and uneducated hands. The horrifying fact is that officials recognize that as older voters, who would vote against legalization, are fading away, the sentiments of the youth will reign supreme. Nevertheless, some government figures believe that marijuana will bring in half a billion dollars, which could help fund schools, and, ironically, substance abuse prevention. Like Danforth and Hawthorne, by supporting legalization, officials are making the hysteria more powerful, and causing more harm to the majority of society. Following legalization in Washington on December 6th 2012 and Colorado, it is not surprising to believe that other states will follow in their footsteps. Indeed, this lack of initiative to stop the growing hysteria demonstrates that some in government are betraying their oath to protect and serve America. These officials are more responsible for the ridiculous growth of the movement toward legalization due to their greed, and disregard of Federal law.
The depressing fact is that if Americans cannot rely on the government to make the best decisions for this country, the structure of this fine country will most likely perish. Indeed, marijuana may be able to bring in $500 million, which could benefit educational programs. Marijuana may be able to help patients suffering from extreme pain. However, marijuana is a gateway drug that has been known to cause the degeneration of the mind, which includes a loss of coordination, lack of academic interest, and an increased risk of psychosis. So, if a drug like marijuana is made legal, then it is not illogical to believe that other drugs such as heroin or LSD will follow in its footsteps. If those in power contribute to a hysteria by speaking its rhetoric, the majority of society may ultimately pay the biggest price.
Word Count: 520
Sources:
www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/washington-set-to-legalize-marijuana-use-without-justice-department-guidance/2012/12/01/0a436d64-3b3a-11e2-b01f-5f55b193f58f_story.html
latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2012/12/02/legalization-marijuana-all-about-timing/
teens.drugabuse.gov/facts/facts_mj1.php
topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/m/marijuana/index.html
By consciously ignoring the federal legal status of marijuana, government officials are contributing to this rhetoric of consensus, and bolstering some citizens’ fervor toward legalization. At its core, this legalization shows that often a small group will form a rhetoric of consensus, similar to the rhetoric against witches in The Crucible. With regards to marijuana, that small group consists mostly of the youth of America, and by openly supporting legalization government officials are leaving the fate of America in inexperience, and uneducated hands. The horrifying fact is that officials recognize that as older voters, who would vote against legalization, are fading away, the sentiments of the youth will reign supreme. Nevertheless, some government figures believe that marijuana will bring in half a billion dollars, which could help fund schools, and, ironically, substance abuse prevention. Like Danforth and Hawthorne, by supporting legalization, officials are making the hysteria more powerful, and causing more harm to the majority of society. Following legalization in Washington on December 6th 2012 and Colorado, it is not surprising to believe that other states will follow in their footsteps. Indeed, this lack of initiative to stop the growing hysteria demonstrates that some in government are betraying their oath to protect and serve America. These officials are more responsible for the ridiculous growth of the movement toward legalization due to their greed, and disregard of Federal law.
The depressing fact is that if Americans cannot rely on the government to make the best decisions for this country, the structure of this fine country will most likely perish. Indeed, marijuana may be able to bring in $500 million, which could benefit educational programs. Marijuana may be able to help patients suffering from extreme pain. However, marijuana is a gateway drug that has been known to cause the degeneration of the mind, which includes a loss of coordination, lack of academic interest, and an increased risk of psychosis. So, if a drug like marijuana is made legal, then it is not illogical to believe that other drugs such as heroin or LSD will follow in its footsteps. If those in power contribute to a hysteria by speaking its rhetoric, the majority of society may ultimately pay the biggest price.
Word Count: 520
Sources:
www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/washington-set-to-legalize-marijuana-use-without-justice-department-guidance/2012/12/01/0a436d64-3b3a-11e2-b01f-5f55b193f58f_story.html
latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2012/12/02/legalization-marijuana-all-about-timing/
teens.drugabuse.gov/facts/facts_mj1.php
topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/m/marijuana/index.html