1. Unit 5 Individual project-2 1
Conflicts of Legalized Marijuana
Mindy K. Sleeper
American Intercontinental University

2. Unit 5 Individual project-2 2
Abstract
To identify the conflicts between legalized marijuana states and non-legalized states, one must
consider the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana. For example, one con is the health risks
caused by smoking marijuana.A good example of a pro in this issue is that the sales of marijuana
can be age-regulated. This way, it will be less accessible for minors. Identifying the pro's and
con's of legalizing marijuana can help explain the conflicts.(The Slatest, 2015)

3. Unit 5 Individual project-2 3
Marijuana Legalization Pros
There are at least eight major pro's for legalizing marijuana. First, there is the country's
responsibility to respect individual free will. The "immorality of marijuana" is only based on one
set of moral beliefs. Users also have the personal right to use or not; despite legalized or not. It's
also pretty useless to make a law forbidding people to use drugs, when those very laws make
people want to rebel against it.(weed420.net, 2015)
More pros
A few more pros are that it could help politicians with their "War on Drugs". Legalizing
marijuana could also keep minors from obtaining it. Critics of the "War on Drugs" also advocate
partial or complete decriminalization of illegal drugs, combined with regulations. No strong,
physiological evidence for addiction to marijuana has ever been proven. As one can see, there
are many pros to legalizing marijuana. (weed420.net)
Marijuana Legalization Cons
There are multiple cons with legalizing marijuana. One major con would be that the state
can not be involved with production and distribution of a substance deemed unhealthy.
Legalizing substances known as drugs sends a message to children that drug use is acceptable.
The rise of health care costs, drug-induced violence, neglectful parenting and other third-party
effects are great concerns as well. As one can see, there are many cons with legalizing marijuana.
(weed420.net, 2015)
Economical gains of Legalization. The Hemp Industry in other countries generates $6-
$10 billion a year. If the government legalized marijuana sales, distribution, production and use;
the Excise taxes would generate $2.2-$6.4 billion. Along with that, the sales tax would generate

4. Unit 5 Individual project-2 4
$0.2-$1.3 billion. The Enforcement savings would generate $6-$9 billions of dollars, if legalized
nationwide and offer more job opportunities.(Economics of Cannabis Legalization, 1994)
Conclusion. In conclusion, there seem to be more pros than cons in legalizing marijuana.
While legalizing can generate billions of dollars for the economy; what kind of message are we
telling children about the use of drugs? Although, with some regulations, children can still be
deterred from using. Marijuana also carries versatile sources of fiber, protein, biomass and oil. In
conclusion, identifying the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana can help explain the conflicts.
(Dale Gieringer Ph.D, 2015)
Health concerns of Marijuana. There are many physical and psychological concerns with
marijuana usage. One major health concern is the effects on the immune system. A few other
serious health concerns are mental health concern is the effects on the respiratory system. Health
concerns rise with marijuana usage. (Health Concerns, 1999)
Effects of marijuana on the Immune system. The most effective argument against the use
of marijuana is how it accelerates aggravation of the disorders it is used to treat. Studies suggest
that smoking a joint a day can damage the cells in the bronchial passages.The studies also
suggest that marijuana is a general "immunosuppressant". Patients with already weak immune
systems can be more susceptible to such infections as pneumonia. Marijuana has dangerous
effects on already weak immune individuals. (Health concerns, 1999)
Effects of marijuana on the Respiratory system. Marijuana smoke contains similar
chemicals as tobacco smoke. The harmful effects of smoking marijuana causes increase in
coughing, sputum production, airway inflammation and wheeze. Also, many marijuana users
smoke tobacco as well, which increases the harmful effects. Smoke from marijuana contains

5. Unit 5 Individual project-2 5
50% more benzopyrene and 75% more benzanthracene than tobacco smoke. From the evidence
of scientific facts, marijuana smoke is very dangerous to the respiratory system. (ADAI, 2015)
Mental Health Effects of Marijuana. Studies show that marijuana use in childhood can
increase schizophrenia in adulthood. There have been reports of people experiencing psychosis
symptoms after smoking more than they are use to. Those who use marijuana have more
depression symptoms than those who do not, as studies have shown. People with a family history
of schizophrenia are more vulnerable smoking marijuana. As one can see, through scientific
study, marijuana can be harmful mentally as well. (ADAI, 2015)
Conclusion: In conclusion, although there are pros to legalizing marijuana, there are
major health concerns. Marijuana has been proven to be very harmful on weak-immune
individuals. Studies have shown marijuana smoke contains similar chemicals as tobacco smoke.
Marijuana has also been proven to increase psychosis symptoms. In conclusion, health concerns
rise with marijuana usage. (ADAI, 2015)
Final Conclusion: In conclusion, one can clearly see the conflicts with legalizing
marijuana. If one initially sees this from a surface perspective, there seem to be more pros than
cons. Yet, if one looks at this from a medical point of view, one can see the harmful effects of
marijuana. In turn, this is why the state cannot intersect with the production and distribution of
marijuana. Identifying the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana can help explain the conflicts.
(Sleeper, 2015)
Essay Outline:
Thesis Statement: Identifying the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana can help
explain the conflicts.

6. Unit 5 Individual project-2 6
Sub-topics:
A. There are at least eight major pros for legalizing marijuana.
B. There are multiple cons with legalizing marijuana.
C. The Hemp Industry in other countries generate $6-$10 billion.
Conclusion: In conclusion, there seem to be more pros than cons in legalizing marijuana.

7. Unit 5 Individual project-2 7
References
article.(2012). Article Title.MarijuanaLegalization.MMj-
Guide.com.https://weed420.net/marijuana-legalization-pros-and-cons/
journal. (2015).Economics of Cannabis Legalization.by Dale Gieringer, Ph.D.
article.(2015).Health Concerns: What are the Medical Dangers of Marijuana
Use?.Harvard.edu; http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/evidence99/marijuana/Health_1.html

8. Unit 5 Individual project-2 8
Footnotes
1 More References: article.(2015).Learn About Marijuana-Respiratory and Marijuana.ADAI;
http://adai.uw.edu/marijuana/factsheets/resipiratoryeffects.htm
article.(2015).Learn About Marijuana-Mental Health and Marijuana. ADAI;
http://adai.washington.edu/marijuana/factsheets/mentalhealth.htm

9. Unit 5 Individual project-2 9
Tables
Table 1
[Table Title]
Column Head Column Head Column Head Column Head Column Head
Row Head 123 123 123 123
Row Head 456 456 456 456
Row Head 789 789 789 789
Row Head 123 123 123 123
Row Head 456 456 456 456
Row Head 789 789 789 789
Note: [Place all tables for your paper in a tables section, following references (and, if applicable,
footnotes). Start a new page for each table, include a table number and table title for each, as
shown on this page. All explanatory text appears in a table note that follows the table, such as
this one. Use the Table/Figure style, available on the Home tab, in the Styles gallery, to get the
spacing between table and note. Tables in APA format can use single or 1.5 line spacing. Include
a heading for every row and column, even if the content seems obvious. A table style has been
setup for this template that fits APA guidelines. To insert a table, on the Insert tab, click Table.]

10. Unit 5 Individual project-2 10
Figures
Figure 1. [Include all figures in their own section, following references (and footnotes and
tables, if applicable). Include a numbered caption for each figure. Use the Table/Figure style for
easy spacing between figure and caption.]
For more information about all elements of APA formatting, please consult the APA Style
Manual, 6th Edition.