But what happens when our Constitutional rights and trust are threatened? Do we as citizens accept and overlook this problem, or impose a change that will ensure us that these values will no longer be threaten? To impose a change and guarantee us of our basic rights, we, as a whole society, must look forward to reform marijuana laws that take away our freedom
Upon the opposing side of legalizing marijuana, anti-marijuana advocates would argue; the harmful effects of marijuana upon society and the human body. The harmful effects upon society because of reformed marijuana laws would make the herb cheaper and more easily to obtain. More people would smoke and the risk of marijuana use within teenagers would be inevitable (Gottfried 77). In the Netherlands, where the herb is legal- fifteen percent of 18 to 20 year olds reported having used marijuana in 1984, the figure has doubled to thirty-three percent by 1992- (Maccoun and Reuter, par. 11). A 1991 survey conducted by the Department of Health and Human survey, reports that 30 million people in the United States are either regular or irregular users of marijuana (Caputo and Ostrom, par.1). This shows that with or without laws prohibiting marijuana, people are still going to smoke even if society will be affected.
Whether or not marijuana is harmful to the human body, it is still upon the decision of the individual to consume marijuana. " in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, protect basic civil liberties to "purse his own happiness" as long as he doesn't infringe on others" rights to life and property" (Cussen and Block, par. 2). Smoking marijuana is a victim-less crime. Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol are known to have harmful effects upon the human body, yet people still chose to smoke and drink. People should have those same rights to choose whether or not they want to smoke marijuana. Society should not tell people what they can or cannot do to their bodies.
