Thesis statement
New York State should legalize the production, the distribution, as well as the use of marijuana by adults, which is a provision that can create a system for regulating its use, and create a tax system that would benefit the state government.
Refined Position
Arrests for marijuana are made at alarming rates among African American and Latinos, while it's essentially legal for Caucasians. Decriminalizing the natural drug would bring in a considerable amount of revenue for the state and free up prison space for serious criminal offenders. There is a need to raise public awareness around these issues, call for social change, and persuade lawmakers and taxpayers to support this course. For example, a natural drug like marijuana can bring in a surplus of money instead of those same tax dollars going to maintain men and women behind bars, which is then detrimental to their future in obtaining a job.
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Stereotypes
Some of the prevalent stereotypes concerning irresponsible drug use include the alarming rates of accusations among African American and Latinos, while it is essentially legal for Caucasians. The validity of decriminalizing the natural drug is that it would bring in a considerable amount of revenue for the state and free up prison space for serious criminal offenders. Additionally, it is valid owing to its medicinal advantages. Nonetheless, there could be adverse effects in instances where decriminalizing the natural drug gives way to its abuse and overuse. There are stereotypes and judgments made like "more people of color use drugs." That is where sociologist and science come in with credible data to disprove this theory.
Social Changes
Examples of social changes around the issue of decriminalizing the natural drug include low rates of criminal offenses associated with possession of marijuana. Moreover, members of the society will tend to show a higher level of responsibility while using the natural drug. Specifically, the print media in New York has indicated that allowing adult personal use, with appropriate regulation and taxation, is the kind of smart, responsible, fact-based drug policy that the community desperately needs.
Historical Interpretations
The historical interpretation of the issue of decriminalizing the natural drug demonstrates that New York families have suffered for too long from the destructive effects of marijuana prohibition. Heavily racial-oriented enforcement has meant that African American and Latino communities have borne the brunt of this misguided policy, with young people locked up in jail, and locked out of jobs, housing, and education.
Modern Interpretations
Presently, there exist modern interpretations sounding the idea of decriminalization of marijuana. For instance, marijuana is currently considered based on its benefits such as medicinal, calmness and recreational among others. Moreover, the modern interpretation is associated with significant reductions in instances of possessions of marijuana and other petty crimes or non-crimes evidently, there have been dramatic decreases in marijuana arrests and convictions, saving states millions of dollars and preventing the criminalization of thousands of people.
Annotated Bibliography
Grawert, A. C., Camhi, N., & Chettiar, I. (2017). A Federal Agenda to Reduce Mass Incarceration. Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law.
This source provides well laid down components of the agenda advanced by the federal government with the objective of reducing instances of mass incarceration of people. Furthermore, the source addresses the legalization of certain types of drugs such as marijuana. The authors focus on different ways through which states could implement measures necessary for decriminalizing some form of marijuana. In this light, the authors call for the need to reclassify marijuana use to prevent the incarceration of individuals with minor drug offenses. This publication will be significantly useful for the study since it provides insights on one of the issues to be covered in the research paper, which relates to the need to reduce every-day arrests for low-level marijuana possession.
McGinty, E., Niederdeppe, J., Heley, K., & Barry, C. (2017). Public perceptions of arguments supporting and opposing recreational marijuana legalization. Preventive Medicine , 99 , 80-86. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2017.01.024
This source presents the perception held by the public regarding different views surrounding the legalization of marijuana as one of the recreational drugs. Additionally, the authors place more emphasis on addressing the benefits associated with the use of marijuana. To that extent, the authors strongly argue in favor of legalizing marijuana as a recreational drug. The respondents in their study strongly support the economic arguments supporting the legalization of the drug. The article will significantly assist in determining the positive effects of marijuana, consequently supporting the thesis statement further. Moreover, it will play a crucial role in advancing the debate about the benefits and disadvantages of marijuana.
Newman, T. & Frederique, K. (2018). Advocates Demand Marijuana Legalization in New York Focus on Racial and Economic Justice. Retrieved from: http://www.drugpolicy.org/press-release/2018/05/advocates-demand-marijuana-legalization-new-york-focus-racial-and-economic
This source presents findings concerning the advocacies from various individuals and organizations in support of the legalization of marijuana in New York. In this regard, more attention is paid to economic and racial systems of justice. Since the research study is based on the need to legalize marijuana in New York, one of the politicians vying for office is cited to have been advocating the legalization for a variety of valid reasons. The article is significant to the study in the sense that it provides first-hand information regarding the drawbacks of not legalizing marijuana in New York. Furthermore, the article assists in the advancement of the study by supporting the onside of the debate concerning the legalization of marijuana.
Sacchetti, E., & Mencacci, C. (2016). To liberalize or not liberalize the recreational use of cannabis: this is not the question. Evidence-based Psychiatric Care , 1 , 7-79.
The authors in this sources attempt to delve deeper into the discussion concerning the liberalization of the recreational use of marijuana. In their study, the authors look into both the negative and beneficial aspects of legalizing marijuana. In spite of some of the strong indicators provided regarding its adverse effects on the mental health of the users, the authors conclude that decriminalizing the used to liberalizing the recreational use of marijuana has relevant added value. The source is vital for supporting the need to use evidence-based information for determining preferences between the liberalization and the decriminalization of the recreational use of the substance. To the study, this source will play a critical role in introducing a different perspective that influences the decision by New York State to legalize the production, the distribution, as well as the use of marijuana by adults.
Szaflarski, M., & Sirven, J. I. (2017). Social factors in marijuana use for medical and recreational purposes. Epilepsy & Behavior , 70 , 280-287.
This source looks into some of the social that contribute towards the choice of marijuana by members of the public for recreational and medical purposes. In this regard, the authors delve into examining the extent to which the behavior and social wellbeing of an individual may be influenced through the use of marijuana for medicinal or recreational purposes. The authors assess the evolution of the socio-cultural perspectives on the use of marijuana. The assessment follows the trend that focuses on the use of the drug for recreational as well as medical purposes. The article will be beneficial for the study regarding assessing the reasons behind policy decisions to legalize the drug in several states in the U.S., consequently providing empirical reasons for its decriminalization.
