Legalization of Marijuana Short Essay 
Jennifer Hall
Legalization of Marijuana (Short Essay)
POL201: American National Government
Instructor: Saundra McDavid
January 11, 2015
The legalization of medical marijuana is a current policy issue that has caused much tension between the different levels of government, as well as between the state and local agencies. This public policy has caused much conflict because of the various aspects of it such as legalization for medical use, the decriminalization of marijuana; and the many discrepancies that it has between federal and state laws. Legalization of medical marijuana has many pros and cons that have been brought to light by many different branches of the government, however, the issue of federalism is extremely prevalent.
The issue of legalizing medical marijuana was brought on because of the various medical and recreational benefits that it claims to offer, as well as financial benefits the government would receive through taxes. The policy would include decriminalization of marijuana, and the legalization for medicinal use as prescribed by a physician. Changing the federal government’s policies on medical marijuana is thought to be an effective treatment for a variety of terminal illnesses, will help people from being criminalized for using a substance that is being used as a medication, and the government regulating the growth and sale of marijuana will allow these patients a safe and legal access to cannabis (MPP, 2014).
As of current, federal and state laws make it a crime to use, grow, sell, or possess marijuana for recreational use (FindLaw, 2013). However, with much conflict twenty-three states have enacted medical marijuana laws which legalizes it within the state. This is extremely controversial considering it is still illegal under federal law and you can still be prosecuted at the full extent of the law for possessing marijuana even if it is legal in your state. Many of the state medical marijuana laws are meant to allow
Legalization of Marijuana (Short Essay)
POL201: American National Government
Instructor: Saundra McDavid
January 11, 2015
The legalization of medical marijuana is a current policy issue that has caused much tension between the different levels of government, as well as between the state and local agencies. This public policy has caused much conflict because of the various aspects of it such as legalization for medical use, the decriminalization of marijuana; and the many discrepancies that it has between federal and state laws. Legalization of medical marijuana has many pros and cons that have been brought to light by many different branches of the government, however, the issue of federalism is extremely prevalent.
The issue of legalizing medical marijuana was brought on because of the various medical and recreational benefits that it claims to offer, as well as financial benefits the government would receive through taxes. The policy would include decriminalization of marijuana, and the legalization for medicinal use as prescribed by a physician. Changing the federal government’s policies on medical marijuana is thought to be an effective treatment for a variety of terminal illnesses, will help people from being criminalized for using a substance that is being used as a medication, and the government regulating the growth and sale of marijuana will allow these patients a safe and legal access to cannabis (MPP, 2014).
As of current, federal and state laws make it a crime to use, grow, sell, or possess marijuana for recreational use (FindLaw, 2013). However, with much conflict twenty-three states have enacted medical marijuana laws which legalizes it within the state. This is extremely controversial considering it is still illegal under federal law and you can still be prosecuted at the full extent of the law for possessing marijuana even if it is legal in your state. Many of the state medical marijuana laws are meant to allow