Controversy Analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Controversy Analysis - Research Paper Example This is a contentious subject since it grants an individual user unrestricted freedom in terms of quantity and mode of marijuana usage. Arizona currently enjoys the license for medicinal purposes. It is arguable that legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes is feasible in Arizona. There are notable social costs of marijuana prohibition. For instance, FBI reports indicate that 658, 000 arrests, in 2012, occurred due to marijuana use as compared to 256, 000 for heroine and related drugs (The New York Times 1). This is coupled with a jammed judicial system that cannot manage the many cases reported daily. In addition, jailing of marijuana users impose huge costs on state governments. Many reports indicate that such arrests are racially inclined as they fall disproportionately on the black and Latino population. A social crisis sets in such populations as young people spend their productive time in jails. This limits their chances at later economic success thereby creating a generation of low-income earners. Scientists have uncovered mild problems with marijuana in terms of addiction and dependence thereby proving as less harmful as alcohol. In addition, research has found out that there is limited correlation between violent crime and marijuana usage. This is un like the popular opinion that marijuana usage increases the risk of harmful activities such as marriage violence (Costa 1). It is crucial to underscore the fact that marijuana usage is common in the American states in spite of the typical government detestation of the drug. The animosity towards cannabis sativa has always existed alongside its common use in the US. For instance, the glorification of marijuana in American music videos attests to the fact that in spite of an abhorrent government, marijuana usage remains a common feature of the American landscape. Legalization of marijuana in