How the Legalization or Decriminalization of Marijuana Can Optimize a Essay

How the Legalization or Decriminalization of Marijuana Can Optimize a Drug Situation in a Country - Essay Example Although not legal in the Netherlands, cannabis is openly tolerated and can be both purchased and consumed in one of several Amsterdam ‘coffee houses.’   Inexplicably, the city has not been thrown into anarchy which, evidently, is what the opponents of cannabis legalization are afraid of.   The evidence demonstrates that legalizing cannabis for medicinal in addition to general purposes would prove a benefit to society, evidence which is well-known throughout the scientific, political and public arena but this collective knowledge has yet to be acted upon.  Eleven states allow the use of marijuana for medicinal use, Rhode Island the most recent joining California, Alaska, Hawaii, Colorado, Oregon, Nevada, Montana, Washington and, Vermont and Maine.   However, laws enacted by the federal government supersede those of the states.   Therefore, the physician within the borders of the U.S. cannot lawfully dispense marijuana nor can a patient legally possess it. †Å"The U.S. Supreme Court said federal law preempts any efforts by the state to authorize the use of marijuana for any purpose, including medicinal† (Schweitzer, 2005).   Most Americans are not against the medicinal use of marijuana and states are legalizing the practice but any use of marijuana remains against federal law which generally translates to stiffer sentences if caught. The U.S. government has recently softened its position on allowing marijuana dispensaries located in states where it is legal but other than that small waiver has continued its absolute prohibition of Marijuana, a method that is one of the most common policies utilized but has evidently not succeeded as intended.   This practice has not eliminated drug traffic.   It has, however, altered the arrangement of supply and demand by forcing the illegality of this market. Illegal marijuana makes criminals of the sick. Many medical benefits are well known.