Marijuana is a Monopoly
It may seem strange at first, but if you really think about it, the government has a monopoly over marijuana, more specifically marijuana research. The government has a partnership with the University of Mississippi, whom is the only legal producer of marijuana for research purposes. This monopoly over marijuana growing rights for the purpose of medical research has casused much controversy. A group dedicated to researching medicinal uses from currently illegal drugs, such as marijuana and psychedelics (LSD and mushrooms), headed by Lyle Cracker from the University of Massachusettes, has been trying to obtain a DEA license in order to grow marijuana for medinical research purposes only. Cracker feels that the limited supply of marijuana grown at the University of Mississippi is low in quality and potency and feels that his growing methods may perhaps yeild greater outcomes in medicinal research. Cracker also believes that because there is only one government approved source of marijuana for research purposes, recearch is limited and is not progressing in a manner that it could be if others were permitted DEA growing licenses. Cracker's goals are the same as the government's; he and his team desperately want to find uses for natural plants that could potentially cure diseases. Research has shown that THC, the active ingredient in marijuana can relieve nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy and can help with appetite loss in AIDS patients. Does the government have a right to a monopoly over marijuana and if so, is it really justified? Afterall, there are many more people like Cracker dedicated to finding medicinal purposes for plants such as marijuana. Should Cracker be granted a DEA license to further medical research?
7 comments:
In my opinion it seems that Cracker believes he can grow better marijuana then what is already provided. My question is how does he know he can grow better marijuana. On what grounds should he say he can grow better marijuana if he hasn't had an legal experience in growing marijuana? Marijuana as a whole isn't really a monopoly. The black market also has competition that keeps prices from rising. The legal outlet of marijuana is surely monitored by the government and wouldn't have the ability to become a monopoly. In my opinion legalize marijuana so the economy can bank on it. Some people might see marijuana as a substitute for alcohol though. Which could bring down the alcohol market, but wouldn't that be nice for consumers anyway?
In my opinion, marijuana is far from a monopoly, it is everywhere. Maybe your only point is that yes the government is limiting marijuana to one University for study, but at the same time Mississippi really isn't making any money from this so I techincially I do not believe that Mississippi and/or the government have a monopoly on marijuana
I guess you could say there is a LEGAL monopoly of marijuana... But I agree with Jordan. Marijuana isn't really a monopoly because it is everywhere. To answer the author's question, Cracker should be granted a DEA license to further research the medicinal purposes of marijuana. IMO Marijuana should be legalized anyway. It would lower the chances of "revolting" teenagers trying to go against the law, their parents, society, etc. It's a touchy subject.
I think since so many people can get access to the drug it's hard to call it an monopoly. I dont think the governemnt should legalize the drug because of all the money they get from recovering & convicting people for using it.
It is hard to consider marijuana being controlled by the government as a form of a monopoly. However, I believe that Cracker should be granted a license to produce marijuana for medical research because that way there will be competition to see who can find the best uses for it in the medical world. Without competition, the University of Mississippi may not be pushed to a higher level of research, which may ultimately never allow any advancements to be made from marijuana as a medical use.
Marijuana is not a monopoly. It seems like anyone can get ahold of it. Just because legally one university can use it, does not mean that they are the only people who can actually get it.
Its difficult to say the government has a monopoly over a substance considered illegal, when they do research on marijuana do they contract out to different scientific firms.. when it comes down to selling the stuff the government doesnt have much say on how its done other than the fact that they dont allow it but it happens anyway
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