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Student’s name: Sergio A. Fernández

Subject: Language III

Essay N° 2

Outline: Should we make cannabis legal in Argentina?

I. Introduction-

Thesis Statement: I firmly believe that making cannabis legal in Argentina is bound to be detrimental to community as a whole and pot smokers’ standards of morality are to be lowered.

II. Unfavourable Effects for community

A- More insecurity

1. Delinquent behaviour.

B- Noticeable increase on the consumption.

1. Risk to society.

III. Drop in pot smokers’ standards of morality.

A- Government scheme.

1. Adverse consequences.

2. Not enough drug rehabilitation centres.

B- Government´s concern about repercussions.

Opposing viewpoint

A- Less demand.

1. Drug dealers’ capture.

B- Advantages over marijuana cultivation.

IV. Conclusion

Restatement of the thesis.

Rhetorical question: Will the government be also ready to take full responsibility for the outcomes if the bill is passed?

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Essay N° 2: Should we make cannabis legal in Argentina?

Would society be thrown into utter chaos due to legalisation of cannabis? Argentina is considered

the country with the greatest marijuana use in Latin America. Six per cent (6%) of the population

is thought to take the drug regularly. Despite this fact, a proposal has recently been introduced

intending to allow consumption in Argentina. The bill is in accordance with article 19 of

Argentina's Constitution, which states: "private actions that in no way offend public order or

morality, nor are detrimental to a third party, are reserved for God and are beyond the authority

of legislators." Should not the person who consumes cannabis lower his standards of morality thus

posing danger to society? I firmly believe that making cannabis legal in Argentina is inevitably

doomed to failure from the start.

The introduction of the bill in question is certain not to be accomplished since it fosters negative

effects for community such as more insecurity as well as a noticeable increase on the

consumption. Issues related to insecurity which is already on the increase (mainly in large cities)

will rise even more with such a project. So it is totally useless to consider making marihuana legal

when in fact putting an end to insecurity itself would be of more relevance. This in turn leads to a

more delinquent behaviour which is likely to be displayed on the part of the person who consumes

cannabis (mainly adolescents) and therefore brings about a sense of fear instilled into the

collective unconscious. Owing that it is intended for personal possession, cannabis consumption

will significantly rise among the society. The current proposal does not state the exact amount

that can be kept so there is an element of risk to the whole society due to the destructive effects

the drug produces. This is a pertinent aspect which could be added in relation to the adverse

effects that society is to undergo with the approval of the current bill.

A further point to be considered is that there will be a drop in marijuana smokers’ standards of

morality so the government must set up a plan and show its concern over the repercussions. It is

a vital issue for the government to face both the predictable and catastrophic consequences that

will arise. The bill does not state whether the ones who smoke cannabis are to be provided with

government assistance to face the adverse consequences that are borne when consuming the

drug. This is mainly in most of the provinces within the country other than Buenos Aires where

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there are not enough drug rehabilitation centres. The government´s major task is to be actively

involved and come up with a proper scheme in order to truly care about the generations that are

being raised. Sooner or later, development of side effects is likely to occur from the prolonged use

of pot. The likelihood is that whoever while high on drugs, especially cannabis, will commit crime

and other dastardly deeds above average. This in turn leads to a fall in pot smokers’ standards of

morality. The government is required to take charge completely in this respect to prevent

antisocial behaviour in marijuana users. It must not be overlooked the fact that cannabis might

perfectly be the gateway to other drugs so the consequences would result even more severe for

the cannabis user.

In contrast, there are some people who claim the proposal in question will eventually come in

useful. They deem legalisation of cannabis exhibits positive effects for community, for instance,

there will be less demand on drugs as they can be kept at home but not sold. This in turn will help

fight drug traffickers and as a result it will lead to the capture. They also reckon there are

advantages over marijuana cultivation to help people´s safety such as not entering the suburbs to

purchase, risk avoidance and there is no incentive for drug trafficking. Unlike marijuana

cultivation, it is affirmed the joint sold in the suburbs contains noxious substances such as poison

and pesticides punct among others. Nonetheless, making cannabis legal is absolutely bound to

increase issues connected with insecurity and marihuana users’ standards of morality are lowered

since crime statistics will be above average, thus displaying antisocial behaviour.

In summary, cannabis is on the way of being made legal in Argentina. Such a bill promotes

different views and therefore it arouses considerable controversy. I am convinced it will be

detrimental to the community and cannabis users’ standards of morality are to be lowered. It

seems to be the government willingly expects a more liberal society with the legalisation of

cannabis. A question arises: will the government be ready to cope with such personal freedom?

By Sergio A. Fernández

BAND 4

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