Hemp Legalization Essay -- Argumentative Persuasive Drug Essays

Hemp Legalization THE PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT The purpose of this report is to show the need to reform the present marijuana/hemp law in the United States in order to make hemp available for industrial purposes. The first thing that I will do is define marijuana and hemp in order to avoid confusion. An explanation of how the present marijuana/hemp law originated will be given after that. Then I will define and describe the present law concerning marijuana and hemp. I will then define the specific aspect of the marijuana/hemp law that I feel needs to be changed. Some industrial and environmental needs will then be listed. I will then demonstrate how the industrial and environmental needs of the United States can be fulfilled. THE DEFINITIONS OF MARIJUANA AND HEMP There is a large amount of confusion about the distinction between marijuana and hemp. Hemp is an actual plant that was originally located in Asia. It can be used for many purposes. The hemp plant is most commonly used for extraction of the drug marijuana. Marijuana is a drug obtained from the flowering tops, stems, and leaves of the hemp plant. It is a drug with hallucinogenic properties that people smoke in order to get high (www.encyclopedia.com). HOW THE PRESENT MARIJUANA LAW ORIGINATED The technical name of the present law outlawing marijuana is the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. It originated in a very corrupt manner. Before the drug of marijuana was common, the hemp plant was used for industrial purposes on a small scale. The production of products with hemp was still a new process, and the process didn?t get a chance to fully develop before the hemp plant became illegal. The drug of marijuana first earned its reputation as an intoxicant in the... ...es, or they should start over and write a new law. The changes should be made because of the things that I discussed in this report: the law was passed under corrupt circumstances, the product of hemp is not being used for industrial purposes, and hemp is a very environment friendly product. Works Cited Gochmanosky, Nicole. "Hemp/Marijuana Legalization-Its Time Has Come." 27 Oct 1999. 2 pp. Available www: http://www.sandi.net Scotty J. "Legalize." 29 Nov 1999. 1 pp. Available www: http://www.legalize.com "Marijuana Tax Act of 1937." 27 Oct 1999. 1 pp. Available www: http://www.altereduniv.com "Marijuana." 27 Nov 1999. 1 pp. Available www: http://www.encyclopedia.com "Reefer Madness." 27 Oct 1999. 1 pp. Available www: http://www.dvddiscounts.com "Still Crazy After All These Years." 27 Oct 1999. 4 pp. Available www: http://www.norml.org