“Should the US continue to pursue cannabis legalization?

Context of the debate

The debate over cannabis legalization in the United States has transformed significantly over the past
decade. Although cannabis remains federally illegal under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970,
which classifies it as a Schedule I drug, a growing number of states have legalized its use for medical
and recreational purposes. This shift began in the 1990s with states like California legalizing medical
marijuana, and in 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize it for recreational
use.

A key turning point in this trend was the 2013 Cole Memorandum, introduced by Deputy Attorney
General James M. Cole under President Obama. The memo advised federal prosecutors to focus on
more serious criminal activities and refrain from targeting marijuana-related offenses in states that had
legalized cannabis. While it did not change federal law, it provided a level of protection to individuals
and businesses operating in compliance with state regulations, allowing the cannabis industry to grow.

Despite legalization in 27 states, the divide between state and federal law has led to a complex legal
landscape. Cannabis businesses that are fully legal in their states struggle to access banking services
due to federal restrictions, leaving them reliant on cash transactions. Moreover, individuals in states
where cannabis remains illegal continue to face harsh penalties. These legal disparities highlight a need
for federal reform, especially as public support for legalization grows, with nearly 70% of Americans
now in favor.

Cannabis legalization also intersects with issues of social justice. The War on Drugs has
disproportionately impacted minority communities, leading to higher rates of incarceration for
marijuana-related offenses. Advocates argue that legalization could help address these inequities by
clearing criminal records and offering economic opportunities in affected communities. On the other
hand, opponents raise concerns about increased marijuana use, particularly among teenagers, and
potential public health risks, such as cognitive impairment and mental health issues.

As the national debate continues, the question of federal legalization has gained urgency. Some
policymakers argue that legalizing cannabis at the federal level would resolve inconsistencies between
state and federal law, boost economic benefits, and protect consumers. However, others caution that
federal action should be informed by lessons from states that have already legalized cannabis to
mitigate public health risks and ensure responsible regulation.

Setting of the debate

A think tank of specialists has been formed to decide whether Congress should propose a
constitutional amendment to legalize cannabis at the federal level. This group will assess the potential
benefits of cannabis legalization by examining the outcomes in states where it is already legal.

The purpose of this gathering is to determine what form of legislation the US should adopt regarding
marijuana, the most commonly used drug in the country. Should cannabis be allowed only for medical
use? Or should it also be permitted for recreational purposes? Should cultivation be legalized?

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Subject of the debate
The debate will focus on the following question: “Should the US continue to pursue cannabis
legalization?”

Organization of the debate

Part 1. Economic and societal benefits

Even though marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, the size of the cannabis market in the US is
reaching impressive figures. Combined U.S. medical and recreational cannabis sales could reach $33.6
billion by the end of 2023. Therefore, the cultivation, sale, and taxation of cannabis could represent
significant revenue for both state and federal governments if a regulated market were developed,
similar to tobacco and alcohol. In addition, some argue that establishing a new legal industry based on
marijuana would create employment and economic opportunities.

Advocates of legalization argue that restrictive and criminalizing policies on marijuana have been
costly, ineffective, and have led to negative social consequences. The War on Drugs has resulted in the
arrest and incarceration of many individuals for marijuana-related offenses, disproportionately
affecting minority communities. Additionally, the prohibition of alcohol in the US from 1920 to 1933
demonstrated that criminalizing a psychoactive substance is not always the best way to address its use.

One of the main benefits highlighted by proponents of marijuana legalization is that it could lead to a
reduction in illegal activities such as cultivation and drug trafficking. Legal consumers could purchase
the product from regulated establishments, reducing the incentive for engaging in illegal drug trade.
Consequently, legalizing cannabis could enhance public safety in the US.
Therefore, we can ask ourselves:
 What are the economic benefits of cannabis legalization?
 How have states that legalized marijuana seen economic growth and increased tax revenue?
 To what extent could changing marijuana legislation reduce illegal activities?
 If cannabis is legalized, how should we address the situation of those imprisoned for cannabis-
related offenses?

Part 2. Public health concerns

One of the primary concerns of those opposed to cannabis legalization is that it could lead to increased
consumption, especially among teenagers. Studies have shown that marijuana use can negatively
impact the cognitive and emotional development of young individuals. Thus, making marijuana more
accessible could increase cases of addiction and mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression,
leading to higher public health costs associated with prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation
programs.
However, many healthcare professionals support easing cannabis legislation, as legalization facilitates
access to medical marijuana. Some studies suggest that marijuana has medical benefits in areas such
as pain management, seizure disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases when used appropriately.
Therefore, we can ask ourselves:
 Would it be preferable to legalize marijuana solely for medical use?
 What are the potential health risks associated with marijuana use, and how can they be
mitigated in a legalized market?

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Support materials

Academic papers
- “The Benefits of Marijuana Legalization and Regulation”, Tamar Todd, Berkeley Journal of
Criminal Law, 2018: https://lawcat.berkeley.edu/record/1128436
- “The Public Health Effects of Legalizing Marijuana”, D. Mark Anderson, Daniel I. Rees,
National Bureau of Economic Research, 2021:
https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w28647/w28647.pdf

Materials in favor of cannabis legalization

- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/insights/110916/economic-benefits-legalizing-
weed.asp
- https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/four-decades-counting-continued-failure-war-drugs
- https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/11/22/americans-overwhelmingly-say-
marijua na-should-be-legal-for-medical-or-recreational-use/

Materials against cannabis legalization

- https://www.samhsa.gov/marijuana
- https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/17/opinion/marijuana-legalization-disaster.html
- https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/17/opinion/marijuana-legalization-disaster.html

Complementary material
- https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2023/risks-and-benefits-of-legalized-cannabis
- https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/where-is-marijuana-legal-a-guide-to-
mariju ana-legalization

Key words
- Amendment /əˈmɛn(d)m(ə)nt/: article added to the US Constitution.
- Think-thank /ˈθɪŋk tæŋk/: a body of experts providing advice on specific political or
economic problems.
- Memorandum /ˌmem.əˈræn.dəm/: a written document that analyzes relevant laws based
on legal research to support a conclusion on a particular legal issue.
- Legislative bill /lɛˈdʒɪslətɪv bɪl/: a proposal for a new law, or a proposal to significantly
change an existing law.
- Referendum /rɛˈfɛrɛndəm/: a general vote by the electorate on a single political
question that has been referred to them for a direct decision.
- Regulated market /ˈrɛɡjʊˌleɪtɪd ˈmɑrkɪt/: a system where the government or other
organizations oversee the market, control the forces of supply and demand, and to some
extent regulate the market actions.
- Federal law enforcement /ˈfɛdərəl lɔ ɪnˈfɔrsmənt/: the action of compelling observance of
or compliance with the federal law, that is to say the US Constitution.
- Tax revenue /tæks ˈrɛvəˌnju/: income generated with taxation.
- The War on Drugs /ðə ˌwɔːr ɒn ˈdrʌɡz/: an effort in the U.S. since the 1970s to combat
illegal drug use by increasing penalties, enforcement or incarceration for drug offenders.
- Prohibition /ˌproʊ.ɪˈbɪʃ.ən/: the action of forbidding something, especially by law. It is also

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 referring to the prevention by law of the manufacture and sale of alcohol in the US between
1920 and 1933.
Characters
Choose your character:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1p37gbnjI9WD_iVA1dcTbuw0s_ixFVREzUVOGg-forgw/
edit#gid=0

In favour
1. Bernie Sanders: (U.S. Senator and former presidential candidate) He advocates for
the necessity to end the War on Drugs.
2. Snoop Dogg: Dedicated connoisseur of the herbal arts that has a deep appreciation for
relaxation.
3. Keith Stroup: Founder of the NORML (National Organization for the Reform of
Marijuana Laws)
4. Jeffrey Miron: (Economist) He advocates for a drug policy reform as he questions
the economic and social consequences of drug prohibition.
5. Barack Obama: (Former POTUS) His administration issued the "Cole Memo”. This
policy allowed states to proceed with cannabis legalization without significant federal
interference.
6. Dr. Sanjay Gupta: (Neurosurgeon) He has studied the medical benefits of cannabis and
advocated for its responsible and regulated use.
7. Centrale Méditerranée student 1: This student occasionally uses marijuana during
social gatherings.
8. Nancy Pelosi: (The Speaker of the House of Representatives) She as been a proponent
of allowing states to set their own cannabis policies.
9. James M. Cole: (Former US Deputy Attorney General) He has published the “Cole
Memorandum”.

10. Economist specializing in emerging industries: could argue that cannabis legalization
would boost economic growth by creating new jobs, etc.
11. Criminal justice reform advocate: would focus on the disproportionate impact of
cannabis prohibition on marginalized communities.

Against
1. Jeff Sessions: (Former Attorney General of the US 2018-2019). He reversed the policy
set by the “Cole Memo” of Obama’s administration.
2. Anne Milgram: Current administrator of the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency).
3. Dr. Nora Volkow: Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
4. Calvina Fay: Executive director of the Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF)
5. Kevin Sabet: Anti-cannabis activist
6. Centrale Méditerranée student 2: This student has been struggling with addiction
and is strongly opposed to cannabis legalization.
7. John Walters: Former director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy under
President George W. Bush's administration. He has been advocating for stricter drug
control policies.
8. Michael Bloomberg: Former mayor of New York
9. A Member of the American Medical Association (AMA): (Doctor) The AMA has
historically expressed reservations about the legalization of recreational cannabis
and has called for more research on its potential health effects.

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10. Public health official: could express concerns about the potential negative health effects
of increased cannabis consumption, particularly among youth.
11. Parent or educator representative: could argue against legalization from the
perspective of protecting children and teens.