End ganja’s illegality!
Ganja, slang for Cannabis, is an herbal remedy for many and just a way to relax for many others. The drug has been used since early 2000 B.C. and has absolutely no sign of its use coming to an end. Unfortunately, ganja has been illegal in the United States since the late 1930s because of Henry J. Anslinger (the DEA drug czar at that time). Anslinger is famous for the prohibition of marijuana and for the ludicrous “Reefer Madness” campaign which was designed to scare the American public into believing that cannabis was a harmful substance that made the user uncontrollable and psychotic. The American public quickly caught on to this idea and illegalized cannabis seemingly overnight. Although Anslinger’s ideas were completely untrue, marijuana has remained illegal throughout the country on the federal level ever since. Scientific breakthroughs about the dangers (or lack thereof) of cannabis suggest the legalization of the plant, but the government has insisted on continuing the prohibition. This is not only illogical, but also unethical. Cannabis is not only a recreational drug but also an herb with prized medicinal value. Multiple sclerosis, insomnia, cancer, and glaucoma are just a few of the diseases that cannabis has been clinically proven to treat. And yet the government sustains its marijuana laws, regardless of its people’s needs.
It is downright ridiculous to base modern law on lies from the past. Anslinger had no scientific proof that the drug was harmful and he clearly didn’t know very much about the drug in general. This man lied to the people of this country nearly 75 years ago and the government has still failed to correct its mistake. But America isn’t buying the government’s lies anymore. The government’s idea of marijuana as a substance with detrimental value is no longer fooling anyone. The public is noticeably and rightfully becoming more supportive of cannabis. As it’s popularity throughout the country is increasing, so is the demand for its legalization. State law is beginning to come around and gradually, individual states have started to reconsider cannabis for it’s medicinal value. So far, 13 states have legalized medical marijuana: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. The push for the legalization of marijuana may be ignored in the present, but the ever increasing demand will always push for it’s legalization in the future.
