Why We Should Leaglize Marijuana - 1112 Words

Marijuana, according to the Federal Government is considered dangerous and addictive and is, therefore, placed on the controlled substance list as a schedule 1 drug, making its use and possession illegal. There have been numerous studies as well extensive hours of research done by scientist proving the benefits of medical marijuana; some of these are relief of chronic pain, nausea and a full array of other ailments. Legalizing marijuana will also help to create jobs and stimulate the economy. The benefits of legalizing marijuana far outweigh the disadvantages. By allowing people to possess and use marijuana for medicinal purposes, it will follow that society will improve as a whole because it will increase the happiness or utility of a majority of the population. John Stuart Mill and his theory on Utilitarianism defines utility as pleasure with the absence of pain (Mill, p. 6). He equates this with the Greatest Happiness Principal stating, â€Å"Actions are right in proportion as t hey tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain, and the privation of pleasure†(Mill, p. 7). When making a moral judgment about an action, utilitarianism thus takes into account not just the quantity, but also the quality of the pleasures resulting from it. Mill talks about the desire for something as part of happiness we all desire things because, in the end, they make us happy.