1. Should marijuana be legalized?

2. How and When this controversy started  Use of marijuana became a problem in the 1930s in the U.S.  1937: Laws passed making it a crime to possess or sell marijuana  This was the same era as PROHIBITION

4. Continuing Controversy  Alcohol is now legal for adults over age 21  People argue about the risks to both one’s health and community associated with marijuana vs. other legal and illegal drugs.  Use of marijuana continues even though it is illegal

8. Definitions Legalization vs. Decriminalization Legalization: the product would be sold legally and taxed in a well-regulated market (like buying alcohol at the liquor store which is controlled by the state) Decriminalization: it would no longer be considered a punishable crime to possess, but sale would still be a punishable offense.

9. Recent Events  November 1996: Arizona and California voters approved propositions allowing patients to smoke marijuana for medical purposes with a doctor's recommendation.  Still illegal to possess or sell without doctor’s recommendation.

11. Two Sides of the Debate

12. Legalize Marijuana  More deaths and health risks associated with legal substances (cigarettes and alcohol) than marijuana use  If the government legalized marijuana, it would be better regulated, and taxes could be gathered from its sale.

14.  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.p hp?storyId=9434794 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.p hp?storyId=9434794 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.p hp?storyId=9434794 Audio NPR interview on decriminalization of marijuana (good for background information for “legalize marijuana”) 5:33 (defining decriminalization vs. legalization) What are people’s opinions about legalizing marijuana? What does legalizing marijuana have to do with Prohibition? Why would alcohol and cigarette companies become involved if marijuana were to become legalized? (on your own)

15. Keep Marijuana Illegal  Marijuana is a gateway drug and leads to the use of more dangerous drugs which would harm our society.  Marijuana negatively affects non-users  Health risks outweigh any possible health benefits (which are inconclusive)