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| aaaaaMedia plays a large role in influencing public opinion, even influencing the cultural mindset of a generation. This is especially true regarding public opinion on marijuana. Since the 1930’s public service announcements run on the radio, TV, and in newspapers have tarnished marijuana’s reputation in America. The government, with the help of conservative groups, has made movies and commercials that have transformed the perception of marijuana into one of the most dangerous drugs on the market. A main reason there has been no policy change is that many Americans truly believe in the propaganda produced by the government and various religious groups. Propaganda such as Reefer Madness and Public sponsored commercials have misrepresented marijuana’s harmful nature by exploiting the public’s lack of knowledge, exaggerating the effects of the drug and even fabricating absurd situations. |
| aaaaaMarijuana is not completely harmless, but in this country it is vilified to an unnecessary extent. According to the DEA(Drug Enforcement Agency) and the Controlled Substance Act, a Schedule 1 drug is one that has a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment, and a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision. Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule 1 drug alongside such drugs as heroin and peyote; according to the Controlled Substance act, marijuana is classified as more dangerous than cocaine. “Since 1965, a total of nearly 20 million Americans {...} have been arrested on marijuana charges;{…}Currently 47% of all drug arrests in this country are for marijuana, and another marijuana smoker is arrested every 38 seconds” (St. Pierre 2). Marijuana should not be responsible for nearly half the drug arrests in this country. Marijuana is depicted to be one of the most dangerous drugs available by propaganda, but according to DrugWarFacts.org, “Marijuana alone has not been shown to cause an overdose death”. It is not necessary for half of the DEA’s resources to be spent on an endless fight on marijuana. The effort should be shifted to combat drugs or actions that can actually kill people, such as crystal meth, cocaine, heroin, and even drunk drivers. Even if a drug is considered to be extremely harmful when abused, it can still be considered to have medicinal value and be able to help ill patients. “In a five-day study performed in a specially ventilated hospital ward where patients smoked three marijuana cigarettes a day, more than half the participants tallied significant reductions in pain” (Weiss). Despite government restriction there have been numerous studies that have produced similar results exemplifying the medicinal value of marijuana. Many scientists and doctors strongly believe that marijuana is great way for the terminally ill to relax and stimulate appetite. The government and its propaganda refuse to accept that marijuana can be good for you and continue to convey this message. |
