So far throughout this blog we tackled my observations on Marijuana legalization, highlighted my personal knowledge on the subject, and we have covered lots of information about public opinion regarding Marijuna legalization. While this is a decent amount of information, there is still a lot that needs to be covered in order for one to form an educated opinion on the subject. This blog post will cover why Marijuana is illegal in the first place, as well as some potential effects of its legalization. 

Marijuana/Cannabis has an interesting history of legalization. Many people wonder why Marijuana, a drug that is seen by many as less dangerous than alcohol, is considered by the government to be a Schedule I drug (a Schedule I drug is the most threatening and addictive category of drug, for example, Heroin is a Schedule I drug). To get to the bottom of the seemingly unnecessary laws that surround Marijuana, one must consider its past. 

Cannabis was used in the United States as medicine in the form of a tincture (liquid) in the late 1800ds and early 1900ds. This was not rare, many nations all over the world used/use the plant as medicine or even for religious practices. 

As industrialization started, more regulations on Cannabis and other medicines sold in pharmacies were implemented. This was likely not because these substances were seen as a threat, rather there was an increased need for consumer protection. Companies were trying to make as many products as cheap as they could, resulting in contamination and other problems. It was now necessary to put warning labels and ingredient lists on bottles. Despite these regulations, America did not have a huge issue with Cannabis use in the form of tinctures. 

In the 1930s, the United States experienced an influx of immigrants from Mexico. These immigrants were seen as a threat to white neighbourhoods, jobs and ways of life, just like many other minorities were. White Americans felt most threatened by foriegn traditions. The Mexicans brought with them their tradition of smoking Marijuana, which white America did not receive well. Soon Marijuana use and Cannabis use were made illegal federally. This ban on Marijuana was weaponized against minorities, becoming a reason to deport and arrest Mexicans and African Americans. 

This trend continued into the 70s, 80s and 90s. Eventually the Schedule system was put in place, and Marijuana was considered a Schedule I drug. Shortly after mandatory sentencing was created, which was a policy that required that if someone was caught with marijuana, they were guaranteed to receive a sentence. With these harsher laws, discrimination and targeting contiued. 

This is still a problem today. This targeting and weaponization of Marijuana has reaped havoc on minority communities and resulted in unneeded overcrowding of prisons. Legalization of Marijuana could have many benefits. Dropping or lessening Marijuana charges will partially alleviate overcrowding of prisons, reunite families, and benefit minority communities all because it will de-weaponize the drug. Legal Marijuana programs run by the government will also generate large sums of tax revenue.   

very important part of this issue, or any politically charged issue really, is seeing what people think. We live in a situation where we as citizens (theoretically) have the ability to make changes in policy and express our opinions. We can do this through voting, contacting representatives, protesting, joining interest groups, or any combination of these things. Because we have the ability to make change, gauging the opinions of the public, whether local or national, can tell us how much support a policy has and in turn, how likely it is to be acted on by the government. 

This surely applies to the legalization of marijuana. Through the school year I have done lots of information gathering regarding peoples opinions on marijuana itself, and its legalization. I have constructed what is basically a collection of brochures, which covers basic information about the history, what is going on right now in the state college area regarding the issue, and perhaps most importantly what peoples opinions are both nationally and in state college. Using my research this blog post will explore the opinions of those around us on marijuana legalization on all different levels.  

Interview with a Penn State Student: 

Dave F is a junior here at Penn State as well as a resident of Pennsylvania. He has struggled with social anxiety for much of his life. To help with this anxiety Dave would like to get a medical marijuana card eventually. He says “With legalized marijuana I would have a legal cushion and would not have to worry about getting in trouble when I smoke weed, even with my medical card. Legal repercussions are something that everyone who smokes marijuana either recreationally or for other reasons has to watch out for in Pennsylvania, and illegal state”. I later asked him about how, on top of legalization, dispensaries would affect himself and people like him. He said that it would make marijuana more accessible, but the biggest help would simply be lessening the anxiety about getting stopped for marijuana use. Dave is certain that smoking marijuana has helped him with his anxiety stating that “When you smoke it kind of creates a little false reality in your head making you a little less anxious about your surroundings. This definitely carries over to when you’re sober so you try and continue that (feeling of calm)”.

While Dave does not have any marijuana charges and is not part of a group that is regularly targeted for marijuana he also agrees that the legal repercussions should be lessened and people should get overly harsh sentences dropped. 

 

Poll of opinions in and around State College:

Because this issue affects so many people, I created a poll and sent it to many of my fellow Penn State students. The poll asked them if they supported each aspect of the bill separately as well as if they supported the bill as a whole. I then provided a space for them to explain their decisions. I received 50 responses (and counting). Here are a few anonymous responses explaining student opinions: “In the grand scheme of things, marijuana, when used responsibly and recreationally, is not harmful. Time and resources can be used for better purposes and crimes, such as rape, theft, and murder”, “I believe that cannabis should be no more regulated than alcohol, as it is no more dangerous (and possibly less?) and its current regulation costs the taxpayers presumably much more than a significant degree of deregulation”, “I think people will take advantage of it and be high constantly which will reduce the productivity of our country”, “Avid weed smoker 🙂 helps with my anxiety”

Opinions on a national scale: 

Countless studies have shown that medical marijuana has not only economic benefits, but health benefits as well. It is used across the nation to treat chronic pain and anxiety. However, the facts are just as important as people’s interpretations of them as well as public perception of marijuana as a whole. 

Research shows that a majority of Americans believe (or perhaps know) that marijuana is both less addictive and less dangerous than alcohol (a substance that is in a drug schedule). 

Based on my own survey, marijuana legalization is even favored within our own community. Results show that overall, 82,4% of participants support bill SB350 (for introducing a legal marijuana program). On top of introducing a legal marijuana program, 88.2% of participants support lessening legal repercussions for possession of marijuana. 

Hello! My name is Lauren Murray, I am a student at Penn State (University) majoring in Political Science as well as Psychology with a possible minor in English. I am writing about the ideals and ramifications around the legalization and use of marijuana. I ask a lot of questions (in general), and there are many questions to be asked and answered about this subject. Happy reading, I hope we can learn something!