"Marijuana prohibition applies to everyone, including the sick and dying" (NORML). Marijuana has been illegal in the United States since 1937. In 1937 the United States of America passed the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, this made it illegal for anyone to possess, sell, or manufacture marijuana (Whitbread). There are many different views today on whether or not marijuana should be legalized. Many people support the idea of medicinal marijuana, the legalization of marijuana for chronically ill people. Others feel that legalizing marijuana will lead to the use of other "harder" drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, because it is viewed by many as a "gateway" drug.
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Since marijuana was made illegal there has been the creation of many different organizations to try to decriminalize marijuana. One major organization known as NORML, The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, "supports the removal of all penalties for the private possession and responsible use of marijuana by adults, including cultivation for personal use, and casual nonprofit transfers of small amounts" (NORML). This policy is known as decriminalization. If marijuana were decriminalized it would mean that the marijuana smoker could no longer be charged by the criminal justice system. .
Today in Missouri, if caught in possession with thirty-five grams or less of marijuana it is considered a misdemeanor and punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine up to one thousand dollars. Possession of greater than thirty-five grams of marijuana it is considered a felony and is punishable up to seven years in prison and a fine up to five thousand dollars. Possession of greater than thirty kilograms is considered trafficking and the penalty is five to fifteen years in prison and a fine up to twenty thousand dollars. Possession of one hundred kilograms or more carries a penalty of ten years to life in prison and a fine up to twenty thousand dollars.