This was my pursuasive essay for English this year, about weed. I got an A in the class and on the assignment. Comments?



CANNABIS LEGALIZATION
by Jon Bellamy

This subject may be controversial, possibly even offending to certain members of our society. However, after hearing the left-wing side of the story, people’s minds may be changed. It is out of pure idiocy and pointless strife that marijuana, a drug made from dried hemp flowers, is illegal and even wrongly categorized as a Schedule I drug, the same category as LSD and opium . Hemp, by the way, is the most useful plant in the world. Marijuana should be legalized because a lot of the myths that everyone is sure to be facts are actually false, people have been smoking it for about 4,000 years and there hasn’t been a problem with it till it became illicit (and the problem was: it was illicit), it would make this country a better place, and it is good medicine as well as a recreational drug.

There are a lot of myths on marijuana, many of them people believe just from watching Reefer Madness, a propaganda film released in 1937 which is now a cult classic. One of them is that marijuana is addicting, which is false. Marijuana contains no physically addicting (cigarettes) substances and is barely mentally addicting (videogames), and most marijuana smokers smoke gradually less after graduation . The myth about marijuana being the gateway drug is also false . In Holland, marijuana was legalized in the 1970s, and hard drug use (cocaine and heroin) actually DECREASED. In fact, scientists are experimenting with marijuana as a replacement of coke for cocaine addicts. Plus, almost all people smoke cigarettes and/or drink alcohol before they smoke marijuana . No one has EVER died from marijuana . Some argue that it causes more carcinogens, or cancer causing/promoting substances, than cigarettes due to marijuana smoking being unfiltered. This is also false , cigarette smoking is worse than marijuana smoking in terms of health. In fact, medium to heavy tobacco smokers will live seven to ten years longer if they smoke marijuana (read footnote). Also, the myth about marijuana causing damage to the brain…false . The most well known study that marijuana damages the brain was done by Dr. Robert Heath. The experiment was incredibly biased and poorly done, and it later received a lot of negative criticism.

Marijuana has been used since at least 2,727 BC . In 1916, a report showed marijuana was encouraged, and workers smoked it to make them work harder . They had “smoke breaks,” similar to coffee and lunch breaks. Soldiers used cannabis during the civil war as pain relieving medicine. It has a wide-range of historical use, including religious and medical use.

An average of 698,151 people are arrested each year for marijuana , 87% of which is just for possession. 83 million Americans admit to having tried cannabis. The US spends about $7.6 BILLION annually on prohibiting marijuana use . That’s YOUR tax money that you worked for. The only crime that pot smokers commit is smoking pot. Marijuana use does not lead to crime simply because the desire to smoke it just isn’t strong enough like other drugs. It actually makes people more peaceful. If marijuana were legal, it would actually be HARDER for kids to gain possession of it because the only way they could obtain it would be to have older friends buy it for them, or grow it themselves. Both which get rid of the risk of using laced weed and/or getting ripped off. Marijuana could also be taxed and turned into a benefit towards the economy . All beneficial points aside, people in ABSOLUTELY NO WAY harm anyone by smoking at their house and watching TV stoned.

Marijuana is also great medicine for people with AIDS, cancer, nausea, glaucoma, and “spasm,” as it is also a great pain and stress reliever . Some people argue that there are pills that replace marijuana, but the problem with pills is that they are expensive, they don’t always work, they have side effects, and dosage isn’t always known since it isn’t smoked. Weed, however, is cheap and easy to grow. Depressed people can rely on pot rather than expensive anti-depressants. It can also be a good recreational drug. It makes music sound better, art look better, enhances creativity especially in music (name one classic rock band that didn’t smoke weed), and increases laughter, and there is nothing wrong with laughter. Cannabis can expand your mind and make you think in ways you’ve never thought before (not in a bad way).

Cannabis is wrongly judged, been used over 4,000 years, able to make this country better than it already is, and is good medicine. Anyone who singles out someone else for using such a substance has most likely not done their research, or have only heard one side of the story.

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Get a job you fucking hippie.

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I prefer bongs...how about you?

I hate to say it, but you've forgotten a lot of things here. The depression it can cause for example, you didn't mention that.

"Marijuana contains no physically addicting (cigarettes) substances and is barely mentally addicting (videogames)."

Then why have I had so much trouble quitting? My problem was either mental or physical.

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Yeh dont give me that not addictive crap.. anything can be addictive.

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and your grammar kinda sucks

You said something about research on whether weed kills brain cells being biased. So is this essay.
You make a lot of bold claims, and then support them with broad statements and assumptions. It is a very one sided story. Just like a lot of people who research marijuana are convinced that it is bad and are looking for the smallest shred of fact to corroborate their claims, so are you assuming that it is good, and you make it sound like you're forcing that shit down your reader's throat.
If you're gonna write an essay on such a sensitive topic, then at least do it in a philosophical manner, by making a thesis statement at the beginning and then breaking it down into key points, and finally supporting your story with some respectable facts and/or resources.
I don't mean to be a dick, but this sounds more like a diary entry than a formal essay. And yes, I know you aced it, and here are the reasons why I think you did:

a) You're in high school, in which case your teacher is just happy you can put together cohesive sentences with more or less proper grammar and make a point or two.
b.) Your teacher is a pothead.
c.) All of the above.

Sorry to rain on your little parade, buddy, but you wanted criticism, and you got it. I am sorry if I came off mean, that wasn't my intention, but it's 4:30 in the fucking morning and you're depriving me of precious beauty sleep.

Stay in bed for a month cunt, you need it

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After conducting my own long term research on the subject I've come to the conclusion that if you aren't ready to quit anything you won't. When I found out I was pregnant each time I stopped immediately with no problem. When I was the sole care-giver to my kids I had it for months but never touched it because of my responsibilities. When I started again and thought about quitting several times and really put myself on a guilt trip it just didn't happen. However when I got sick I couldn't do it and once somewhat well again I tried it and decided that wasn't how I wanted to feel anymore so I didn't do it again. That's been over a year ago last March. It can be psychologically addictive I think personally, but once you reach the right mentality you can set it down. Sometimes changing your routine can help a lot, too.

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I don't think it does that much to brain cells. At least I don't think it's done much to mind as far as the visible things I can see about myself. I never started til high school was almost over. I did it rarely until after I graduated. I didn't do it at work or drive while under the influence. Actually I did once and it scared the bejesus out of me so I never did it again. If I knew I had to take the kids somewhere or had something else to do I wouldn't do it til the task was finished. Half of a cigarette was all I ever smoked in my life and I didn't like it at all. I figured if I was going to smoke something I at least wanted to get a buzz from it. I rarely drink. I've made a single wine cooler last 3 days before and a 6 pack of them last months at times. I've done a few harder drugs but nothing really life threatening because I like me too much and if I make an ass of myself I want to remember it.

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I've had some good times that involved smoking and some that were rather heart-breaking moments when I found out certain other people did that I didn't expect, but those changed into some hilarity that I will never ever forget. Oh! The stories I could tell --and so could someone else on here. (ahem!)

I'm just as forgetful and silly as I was before I started smoking. My co-ordination is just as bad and my sinuses are as screwed up as they were when I was 10 so I don't think it's really had that much effect on me. It's just not part of my life plan right now. I don't condemn anyone for doing it as long as they do see where it fits into the importance of their lives. I don't think it enhanced my creativity at all and it certainly didn't help my guitar skills. lol

I've used it medicininally before and if there comes a time in my life when I have the option to do that I wouldn't have a problem with it. I think of all the medicines, like asprin for instance, that are derived from plants and I think researching is a darn good idea.

That's the old lady's story.

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You should go burn one and mellow the hell out!!!!!!





j/k

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What's with the weed essay obbsession these days? Smoke it, don't write about it!

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Wow a pro-weed essay?! I think you're the first person ever to try such a bold, daring topic. Why don't you write on an interesting issue next time that actually requires research and stop trying to flaunt your "marijuana nationalism." Hey, If they made weed legal, prices would ascend drastically, quality would decrease, and there'd be an age limit. So it'd probably be in your best interests that it stays illegal, of course unless you're stupid enough to go smoke out in a park, veritably just waiting to get arrested.

lol. ur waisting paper! jk

you just dont need pot. its that simple. not necessary. dont need it be legalized. why didnt you mention the recent supreme court decision making medical marijuana all but illegal? thats the only topic of major concern. i have no sympathy for pot heads who gotta hide form the law. i dont want to see people going over to cvs to pick up a dimebag, thats just stupid. you just dont need pot.

your writing follows the diary approach as stated before. there is no thesis other than you bitching about pot. its a tired subject anyway. you use caps, which is inappropriate, you use "till" which is not even a word... etc. your grammar and writing arent convincing on their own. you simply chose an easy topic that you could find plenty of half assed data about online

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Indeed, what a boring topic to write an essay on. You could've done one on the uses of hemp or something along those lines, which would've been a lot more interesting. But you got the grade, so I guess it doesn't matter.

You speaketh the truth

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Then again.. we don't "need" alchohol, and we don't "need" music. Should we outlaw those too?

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what is it with all you anal retentive metalheads???? you'd swear the listeners of some of the most brutal music in existence wouldn't give a shit about a joint...

weed is way safer than booze...take it from me, im a habitual user of both.

and yes, anything can be addictive.
right now im addicted to death metal.

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like in amsterdam where you can get a gram of some of the finest bubble hash for 10 american dollars?

like i said...anal retentive metalhead

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alcohol probably should be outlawed if it could be done effectively. nobody can restrain themselves, clearly. music is far more necessary in someones life than smoking a big fat dooby. especially because all the pot smokers i know are really screwing up their lives with it, not smoking responsibly

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Well sir, you've over-looked one small detail, simply that AMSTERDAM ISN'T AMERICA. America is full of enormous corporations that would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to exploit the public of their money by selling weed at unreasonable prices and coming up with some convincing propaganda that will make local "farmers" obsolete. For instance: "Patriotism, don't import your weed from those dirty south of the border no-lifes, get your 100% Fire Cryppe Marlboro Cigarettes, guaranteed to get you HIGH!"

I can get gas for $2.20 per gallon here in Florida, my cousin gets the same gas for $4.50 in San Francisco. What's the difference you ask? FLORIDA ISN'T SAN FRANCISCO. Shipping costs also play a role in the transport of anything. Why can you get a Porsche for cheaper in Germany than in the U.S.? Because GERMANY ISN'T THE U.S.

I can already tell I'm not going to like you...

What is it with all you ignorant n00b cunts?

(In case you don't get that, it's a rhetorical question, don't answer.)

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Or, you could answer and look like a twit! Whee!

One time I made a "pro-legalization" speech in school.....its not like your alone

haha inhalants a nooooooob

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And you're a post-whore. But what's your point?

and nobody likes you

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I attached the actual essay, which means it has footnotes.

Of course it's biased, it's a PURSUASIVE essay but the difference is that that was an experiment (done quite poorly I might add) and it might be the reason weed is illegal, simply because people bought into it. This experiment actually recieved really bad scientific reviews by other scientists who, potheads or not, went to college and disagree with it.

Weed isn't addidctive if you don't rely on it. If you smoke just for the point of smoking, rather than smoke to enhance your life, than yes it can be addictive but just remember, it aint coke.

Yeah, I admit this subject is a little overused, but just for the record, I didn't know it was overused untill AFTER I chose my topic. Everyone told me they knew people doing the same topic but I never met anyone else that did.

Even if you don't think it should be legal, at least admit that it should be decriminalized. I could get pulled over and tested and who knows what will happen after that?

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You just contradicted yourself there- if you use it to enhance your life, you're relying on it to turn you from a standard prat into a smoking prat. If you didn't rely on it to change the way you feel, you wouldn't use it at all, therefore, you're addicted to it because of the change it gives

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Haha, Own'd

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I've done several papers on the legalization of marijuana and the medicinal purposes of marijuana. I actually find it very interesting. It is a substance, and just like any other substance, you (your body and mind) can become addicted to it. It isn't any different than caffeine. I mean if it wasn't for substances (weed, alcohol, etc) where would music be. Doesn't it go something like.... sex, drugs, and rock n roll!! Exactly...so get and have a I use pot in a recreational manner, have been for 8 years solid. Don't abuse it and it won't fuck your life up. I graduated college, done very successful, made good grades, all on weed. Marijuana has alot helped my music out greatly. It has made me look at things in a different way, almost like what different cultures do to you.

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I agree with decriminalising weed,it's not right
taking you to court and giving you 6 months or a year
just for 10-20 g of weed

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You shouldn't be driving when you're high so if you get pulled then just be glad that an accident has been averted.

Transient's right, nobody needs pot. Nobody needs to drink alcohol either. Death metal? I need it because I gain enjoyment from listening to it. As much as I like an ice cold pint, I couldn't sit alone in a room and gain enjoyment from drinking a beer like I could from death metal.

It's like taking a shit - it's relieving and necessary to release the contents of my bowels back into the wild each morning but no enjoyment is derived from it (unless I was laying a cable on Dissection's forehead, of course). Potheads endure similar circumstances every time they open their mouths and attempt to converse with me. I'd settle for any language nevermind actual English.

The point? Nobody needs to smoke pot. Nobody needs to drink alcohol. Social interaction is what brings enjoyment not booze or weed and if you find it's become a necessity to smoke pot or drink alcohol in order to have fun with other people then there are two possibilities; 1) Your a prick who nobody likes or 2) your friends are pricks that nobody likes.

As you may have gathered, I despise the vast majority of potheads (and drug users in general). There are always going to be exceptions to the rule, but all the potheads I know personally are lazy, idle specimens scraped from the very depths of the human barrel. A lot of them are on the dole so fuck you, if I'm paying for your fucking habit at least have the common courtesy not to sit behind me on the bus and exhale your stench onto my brand new Gorgasm t-shirt, you fucking waste of skin.

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I've come to despise chronic users of marijuana myself. To absolutely loathe them as the scum of the earth. The strain of humans who think taking a clock off of the wall, only to set the time to "4:20", is hilarity embodied, are those who should have been aborted. In my 'odyssey' which you can read about in the RTT thread, I had to consort with potheads on a regular daily basis, and they are some of the most irrational and delusional people you can imagine. Three of them became indignant when I would'nt let them smoke in my practice room ( people who I did'nt even know! ). And on account of the first band I had to work with, the laziness of ardent marijuana users make them extremely unbearable.

As psychedelics advocate Terence McKenna worded it, Marijuana is "a precursor to mind altering experiences", and with that in mind, given the mildness of the drug, it should be used sparsedly. Packing a bowl on a daily basis will make you think that rooms painted a horrid purple and lime green are befitting for a heavy metal band's practice space.

Well you two said anything that should be told.
One of my best friends was a pothead,all he would
do all day was trying to get weed and then go somewhere
to smoke it.Every fucking day!That's why I stopped
hanging around with him.Good thing lately he understood
that it was wrong and only smokes a joint once every
2 weeks.

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There's all kinds just like in everything. The ones that abuse it are the ones that ruin it for everyone else.
I disagree fully with comparing it to caffeine though. Caffeine is physically addictive and if you consume large amounts the headaches can be extremely uncomfortable when you don't have it. It also can cause fibroids. That's what the doc said caused mine.......Actually I just checked and mine seems to have shrunk!!!! It was about the size of a peanut, but feels a lot smaller now! Wow, that's cool!
I really wonder how many people that do see it as a gateway drug also abuse alcohol or were at least under the influence when they tried something else. I've got an addictive personality in a lot of ways, but with things that alter my mind I just never have. I never liked hangovers and barfing from drinking is just so unladylike. I hated that so I just don't do it anymore. Not that it's ever happened that much to me.

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You got an A on that? Its got really good info in it, but some of the way your sentences transition isn't very good. But you got the grade. And now your teacher, if he/she didn't already know, probably thinks you are a serious pothead.

Send that to Congress. Maybe it'll wake some people up.

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Maybe not.

addiction is not some abstract term to be used as a generalization for anything or everything, with herion addiction every cell in your body becomes dependent on the drug and when you quit alot of those cells start dying including brain cells, users who've been junkies for 15-20 years can literally die from withdrawl.many drugs have this effect on the human body. weed does not cause this effect, the mental addiction aspect is a joke, its like a fat person on a diet who craves ice cream

Agreed

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You are right. But mental addiction can cause a lot of grief if the person believes it enough. You still have to get it in your head that you want to quit or you just aren't going to do something anymore. Things like heroin are a lot stronger subject than weed or caffeine that's for sure.

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Yup, an A. There were four catagories, and in three of them I got 5 points, in the other I got 4. I don't know what they are out of but apparently its an A! I also aced the class.

Oh, and my teacher is against it and KNOWS I'm a stoner. I've been stoned in that class quite a few times.

On the other subject: low-tech summed up the addiction part up. When I said "people that rely," I meant people that let themselves go with no control. If you smoke to just enhance something, say, to play guitar (I've written some sweet riffs blazed) then you aren't relying on shit. You are just smoking to enhance the experience. If it doesn't work, it's okay, because you are still playing guitar and you are still happy.

The only time I minded being sober was this one time when I was having all this fun, smoking almost everyday (but not burning up grams like all these potheads you guys seem to hate. I'm a stoner, not a pothead) and then I threw a party when my parents were out of town, got caught, and grounded for a month. THAT sucked. But I got threw it alive.

And of course we don't NEED it, and yes I can live without it easily. My girlfriend (ex now) made me go a week without smoking, and I went a week and a day without any difficulty. BUT it's fun, so is playing guitar. It adds to your life, makes you think in different ways, makes communication better, makes listening to music better (and I think it enhanced my taste a lot), can enhance creativity when you play an instrument, and can enhance watching family guy! Its fun and I know I don't need it but I enjoy it and there really is no harm in it.

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who do i hate more? the 30 year old stoners who want to be young, or the 14 year old stoners who want to be grown up?

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Don't make me laugh! I've gotten more sense out of a mangled "Best Of Europop" cassette than from a pothead doing his utmost to perform a passable impression of a raving mong, born twixt retard and village gimp.

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what an angry little man...you're already bitching with me in two different threads.

if you really wanna spar about it though, some facts:
-There are corporations in Amsterdam, too.
-Weed can easily be cultivated by anyone who wants to. This will always balance any sort of corporate market that attemts to sell weed at outlandish prices.
-Gas is not 4.50 in San Francisco, I was up there last month. The most expensive gas in Cali is around 2.85 or 2.90 in LA and Frisco.
-I don't hate you Kalmah swamp, i like you. I like everybody.

-noob fucking noob
-daniel

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quitting weed for me was nothing, i did because at the time i was lethargic, stoned everyday, hanging out doing jackshit. but thats not to say everyone who smokes is a lazy,boring,half-wit, or is gonna become one<there is a correlation with lazy people and smoking i will admit, but its people who are gonna be this way anyway>. what people who dont smoke dont realize is the vast amount of people who smoke but dont really lead on they do, so most times you dont really notice, or if you do its not really an issue

low-tech-- That last part was the exact thing we did around here. Nobody I worked with would have suspected I did because my attendance was almost perfect year after year, and it was an after work thing. We kept everything low key and made sure that anyone that came over knew that. No strangers and absolutely no dealing either.
I used to watch Carl Sagan's shows about outer space and then years later found out he smoked and his wife was an officer in NORML. I don't think he was either dumb or lazy. The lowlife potheads are the ones that give the others the bad name, but the ones who are cool about it don't get mentioned much because they are so low key.

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carl sagan is the man, and his show was far out

L,B you're just trying to hide your drug dealing job. Personally, I understand, I mean, you have to pay the bills right?

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I pay my bills with my good looks and charming personality--- and the $$ Denny gives me every month and the $$ I had. I can't believe I applied for a job at a library today. lol

low-tech-- I bet we saw that show billions and billions of times. Did you? No wonder he was always smiling with that look of awe on his face. He was a cool guy.

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