However, in the early 20th century, public opinion swung and cannabis was characterized as an evil and destructive drug. The major step in the criminalization of cannabis occurred when The Marihuana Tax Act was passed in 1937 (Rubin 259). This act placed a minimal tax on the possession, distribution, or consumption of marijuana, which was punishable by severe fines of jail time. Nearly 25% of Americans over the age of 12 admit to having smoked marijuana at least once in their lifetime (Inciardi 167). There is a substantial portion of the American public which favors, in some degree, the decriminalization of marijuana. There are also staunch advocates of the prohibition of marijuana, many of them in our government. They each have effective arguments, often disagreeing over improvable ideas. The faction in favor of full prohibition of marijuana has a strong set of arguments. .
Firstly, this faction argues that by causing an altered state of consciousness, cannabis is dangerous. People under the influence do not have the complete control of their actions and thoughts. Like alcohol, cannibas can severely impede reaction time as well as inhibitions and common sense. Opponents of legalizing marijuana agree that that it may possess marginal medicinal uses but that there are several more effective legal drugs for the same purposes. With drugs already in place for medicinal purposes, why do we need to legalize a drug with such dangerous side effects? They argue that it is biologically and psychologically addictive and that the frequent use of cannabis has serious physiological repercussions. While addicted to marijuana, the user cannot be a productive member of society. The more they use, the more they want. Opponents also argue that marijuana is a "gateway drug", which leads users to "harder" drugs. This would eventually lead to the same debate over legalizing heroin, or cocaine, or other harder, more dangerous drugs.