Marijuana: probably best recognized as an iconic, seven- or nine-pointed leaf, this seemingly innocent drug is believed to be one of the most renowned causes of damage or hardship to countries and families all over the world. According to the etymology of the word provided by Wikipedia.com, "marijuana" actually refers to a number of different preparations of the cannabis plant, not a plant of its own. Regardless of how it is prepared, marijuana is used as a psychoactive drug. The drug is believed to provide users with a euphoric effect, known in slang as a "high." According to an online resource known as the Bush Book by the Northern Territory Government of Australia (found at http://www.nt.gov.au/), this effect is achieved when the chemical substance from the drug is absorbed into the body and crosses the blood-brain barrier. The chemical substance found in marijuana acts primarily on the central nervious system, affecting brain function and resulting in altered perceptions, mood, consciousness, cognition (understanding), and behavior.

The cultivation of cannabis as well as the production, sale, trade or use of marijuana is illegal in all countries in the world; it is not legal anywhere. A few dozen countries, however, have decriminalized marijuana, which does not make the drug legal, but instead removes it from being a law enforcement priority under specially defined situations. Marijuana is most commonly decriminalized for medicinal use; this means that it can be used as a prescribed drug for treament by a licensed physician, in the same way that other controlled substances are used. In many countries, marijuana is illegal, but the punishments associated with marijuana are often intentionally lesser charges, and range from warnings to permanent marks on a person's record. In other places, such as the U.S., charges for drug violations are steep regardless of substance.

There are many people in the U.S. and throughout the world that believe marijuana should be legalized, or at the very least, decriminalized for personal use. But should it be? Supporters of legalization/decriminalization argue that the effects of marijuana on the user are no more harmful than alcohol or tobacco when used in moderation. Supporters also argue that legalization/decriminalization allows for the drug to be obtained at a more universal price, alleviating drug-related crimes, "street justice" type disputes, and creating an additional source of tax revenues. Supports also believe that legalization/decriminalization would free up police and court resources for more serious crimes, and would reduce or eliminate the existence of black market drug dealers and the cash flow for some terrorists.

Opponents of legalization/decriminalization believe that marijuana is a "gateway drug," because its initial lack of consequences leads to overconfidence in users, and some users then choose to experiment with other "taboo" substances of greater risk. Opponents also argue that legalization/decriminalization would give users the impression that the drug is "safe," and would increase the amount of users operating vehicles or being in control of other potentially life threatening machinery while intoxicated. Some opponents argue it would actually cost taxpayers (and thus, users and nonusers alike) more money and tie up more resources in trying to establish and maintain a system to regulate and tax the drug than the current system of maintaining its illegal status. And, most opponents cite alcohol and tobacco as illustrations of what would happen: alcohol is not fully "legal," it is decriminalized, and restrictions regarding its production, sale, and consumption are enforced. However, law enforcement still is plagued with enforcing these restrictions, many "legal" users of the substance still abuse it, put other citizens at risk because of this use, and engage in risky behaviors or use of other substances not done or used in the absence of alcohol.

 According to Brevard High School social studies teacher Mark McCann, "if [marijuana was] legalized, the only up side would be the money; legalization would cause a lot of tax revenue.”

Because of its illegal and criminalized status, law enforcement agencies and judicial bodies invest countless hours and dollars in fighting the drug, and BHS English teacher Mike Ginnane points out that these systems are distracted from the “more important crimes taking place from crimes like cocaine, weapons or human trafficking.” And, in a country with jails and prisons operating at near maximum capacities, Ginnane feels that “there will be far fewer people in prison for possession if marijuana is legalized."