Boston Tea Party in the American Revolution

In the years following the French and Indian War, the British government increasingly sought ways to alleviate the financial burden caused by the conflict. Assessing methods for generating funds, it was decided to levy new taxes on the American colonies with the goal of offsetting some of the cost for their defense. The first of these, the Sugar Act of 1764, was quickly met by outcries from colonial leaders who claimed taxation without representation, as they had no members of Parliament to represent their interests. The following year, Parliament passed the Stamp Act, which called for tax stamps to be placed on all paper goods sold in the colonies. The first attempt to apply a direct tax to the colonies, the Stamp Act was met with widespread protests in North America. Across the colonies, new protest groups known as the Sons of Liberty formed to resist the new tax. Uniting in the fall of 1765, colonial leaders appealed to Parliament. They stated that as they had no representation in Parliament, the tax was unconstitutional and against their rights as Englishmen. These efforts led to the Stamp Acts repeal in 1766, though Parliament quickly issued the Declaratory Act. This stated that they retained the power to tax the colonies. Still seeking additional revenue, Parliament passed the Townshend Acts in June 1767. These placed indirect taxes on various commodities such as lead, paper, paint, glass, and tea. Acting in opposition to the Townshend Acts, colonial leaders organized boycotts of the taxed goods. With tensions in the colonies rising to a breaking point, Parliament repealed all aspects of the acts, except the tax on tea, in April 1770. The East India Company Founded in 1600, the East India Company held a monopoly on the importation of tea to Great Britain. Transporting its product to Britain, the company was required to sell its tea wholesale to merchants who would then ship it to the colonies. Due to a variety of taxes in Britain, the companys tea was more expensive than tea smuggled into the region from Dutch ports. Though Parliament aided the East India Company by reducing tea taxes through the Indemnity Act of 1767, the legislation expired in 1772. As a result of this, prices rose sharply and consumers returned to using smuggled tea. This led to the East India Company amassing a large surplus of tea, which they were unable to sell. As this situation persisted, the company began to face a financial crisis. The Tea Act of 1773 Though unwilling to repeal the Townshend duty on tea, Parliament did move to aid the struggling East India Company by passing the Tea Act in 1773. This reduced importation duties on the company and also allowed it to sell tea directly to the colonies without first wholesaling it in Britain. This would result in East India Company tea costing less in the colonies than that provided by smugglers. Moving forward, the East India Company began contracting sales agents in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Charleston. Aware that the Townshend duty would still be assessed and that this was an attempt by Parliament to break the colonial boycott of British goods, groups like the Sons of Liberty spoke out against the act. Colonial Resistance In the fall of 1773, the East India Company dispatched seven ships loaded with tea to North America. While four sailed for Boston, one each headed for Philadelphia, New York, and Charleston. Learning of the terms of the Tea Act, many in the colonies began to organize in opposition. In the cities south of Boston, pressure was brought to bear on the East India Companys agents and many resigned before the tea ships arrived. In the case of Philadelphia and New York, the tea ships were not allowed to unload and were forced to return to Britain with their cargo. Though tea was unloaded in Charleston, no agents remained to claim it and it was confiscated by customs officers. Only in Boston did company agents remain in their posts. This was largely due to two of them being the sons of Governor Thomas Hutchinson. Tensions in Boston Arriving at Boston in late November, the tea ship Dartmouth was prevented from unloading. Calling a public meeting, Sons of Liberty leader Samuel Adams spoke before a large crowd and called on Hutchinson to send the ship back to Britain. Aware that law required Dartmouth to land its cargo and pay duties within 20 days of its arrival, he directed members of the Sons of Liberty to watch the ship and prevent the tea from being unloaded. Over the next several days, Dartmouth was joined by Eleanor and Beaver. The fourth tea ship, William, was lost at sea. As Dartmouths deadline neared, colonial leaders pressured Hutchinson to allow the tea ships to leave with their cargo. Tea in the Harbor On December 16, 1773, with Dartmouths deadline looming, Hutchinson continued to insist that the tea be landed and the taxes paid. Calling another large gathering at the Old South Meeting House, Adams again addressed the crowd and argued against the governors actions. As attempts at negotiations had failed, the Sons of Liberty commenced a planned action of last resort as the meeting concluded. Moving to the harbor, over one hundred members of the Sons of Liberty approached Griffin’s Wharf, where the tea ships were moored. Dressed as Native Americans and wielding axes, they boarded the three ships as thousands watched from the shore. Taking great care to avoid damaging private property, they ventured into the ships holds and began removing the tea. Breaking open the chests, they tossed it into Boston Harbor. In the course of the night, all 342 chests of tea aboard the ships were destroyed. The East India Company later valued the cargo at  £9,659. Quietly withdrawing from the ships, the raiders melted back into the city. Concerned for their safety, many temporarily left Boston. In the course of the operation, no one was injured and there were no confrontations with British troops. In the wake of what became known as the Boston Tea Party, Adams began openly defending the actions taken as a protest by people defending their constitutional rights. Aftermath Though celebrated by the colonials, the Boston Tea Party quickly unified Parliament against the colonies. Angered by a direct affront to royal authority, the ministry of Lord North began devising a punishment. In early 1774, Parliament passed a series of punitive laws which were dubbed the Intolerable Acts by the colonials. The first of these, the Boston Port Act, closed Boston to shipping until the East India Company had been repaid for the destroyed tea. This was followed by the Massachusetts Government Act, which allowed the Crown to appoint most positions in the Massachusetts colonial government. Supporting this was the Administration of Justice Act, which permitted the royal governor to move the trials of accused royal officials to another colony or Britain if a fair trial was unobtainable in Massachusetts. Along with these new laws, a new Quartering Act was enacted. This allowed British troops to use unoccupied buildings as quarters when in the colonies. Overseeing implementati on of the acts was the new royal governor, Lieutenant General Thomas Gage, who arrived in April 1774. Though some colonial leaders, such as Benjamin Franklin, felt that the tea should be paid for, the passage of the Intolerable Acts led to increased cooperation among the colonies in regard to resisting British rule. Meeting in Philadelphia in September, the First Continental Congress saw representatives agree to enact a full boycott of British goods effective December 1. They also agreed that if the Intolerable Acts were not repealed, they would halt exports to Britain in September 1775. As the situation in Boston continued to fester, colonial and British forces clashed at the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. Winning a victory, colonial forces commenced the Siege of Boston and the American Revolution began.

Driver Education Key Vocabulary for English Learners

Many ESL speakers and learners are required to take driver education courses to obtain their driver license from the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). In the United States, each state DMV provides a different written test (for example the California DMV has a different test than the Florida DMV or the NY DMV). International driver licenses also sometimes require a written test. The key vocabulary provided is based on a standard DMV written test and is broken up into categories such as Nouns (Persons, Types of Vehicles, Dangerous Situations, etc.) Verbs, and Descriptive Phrases. Study these keywords to help you or your classes better understand driving manuals and driver education courses. Key DMV Driver Education Vocabulary: Nouns Persons bicyclistdriverofficerpassengerspedestrianspoliceman Key DMV Driver Education Vocabulary: Types of Vehicles and Car Parts bicyclebrakechainsequipmentheadlightslightsmirrormotorcyclepickup trucklicense plateseatsignalssteeringtirestow trucktruckvehiclewindshield Key DMV Driver Education Vocabulary: Dangerous Situations accidentalcoholcollisionconvictioncrashdangerdrugsemergencyevidencefoghazardinjuryinsuranceintoxicantslawsoffensereactionriskwarning Key DMV Driver Education Vocabulary: Driving arrowdistanceDMV (Department of Motor Vehicles)documentDUII (Driving while Under the Influence of an Intoxicant)guideID (Identification)identificationinstructionlicensespeed limitmovementpermitprivilegeregistrationrestrictionsrequirementssignsspeeding Key DMV Driver Education Vocabulary: Roads crosswalkcurvecurbdistrictdrivewayexitfreewayhighwayintersectionlanepavementrailroadramproadwayroundaboutroutesidewalkstop lightsstop signtraffic lights More Key DMV Driver Education Vocabulary Key DMV Driver Education Vocabulary: Verbs approach a roadavoid an accidentbe alert while drivingbrake a car (step on the brakes)change laneschange lanes, tirescheck, look into mirrorcrash into somethingcross a roaddamage somethingdrive a car, drive defensivelyenforce a lawexit a roadfollow a car or vehiclehit a car, an objectinjure a personinsure  a vehicle or carmerge onto a roadobey a layobtain a permit or licenseoperate a vehicleovertake a car or vehiclepass a car or vehicleprotect passengersreact to a situationreduce speedrefuse to take a testride in a carshow identificationsignal a turnskid on the roadspeed (drive above the speed limit)steer a car or vehiclestop a car or vehicleturn a car or vehiclewarn another driverwear safety beltsyield to (oncoming) traffic Key DMV Driver Education Vocabulary: Descriptive Words (Adjectives) and Phrases amber lightsapproaching car or vehiclebehind somethingcommercial vehicleconvicted driverdisabled passengerflashing lightshazardous situationinterstate freewayintoxicated driverlegal documentlicensing departmentmanual transmissiononcoming trafficone-way streetout-of-state license plate, driverpedestrian crosswalkposted signprohibited by law, movementrecreational vehiclereduced speedreplacement tirerequired by law, equipmentsafety feature, seatslippery roadsteering wheelstraight roadsuspended licensetwo-way streetunsafe driving, driver, vehiclevalid drivers licensewarning signals, lights

William Shakespeare s The Red Cedar - 934 Words

In reality the world needed another Olivia Benson and I believed I would be just that. However I wanted a challenge so I decided to be Imani Horne the Criminal Attorney. After years of watching intense show downs in the courtroom I thought I’d found my calling. I was selected for an internship with Samuel Terry. While attending several murder cases it took one family court case to drive me away from being a Criminal Attorney. I can still imagine the uttering cries of the mother and her children. There I found my calling, adolescents! Throughout high school my passion were the greats, Shakespeare, Poe, Hemingway, Dickens, Twain, and the list goes on. In particular Shakespeare picked my brain constantly. His works have survived and remain triumphant even today. Though teachings were shallow I still remained engulfed by his works. Which lead me to dive into English on the banks of the Red Cedar. My plan was to begin with the foundations of my literary study to sharpen my skills. This meant the introduction of how we read and what to look for also known as â€Å"close reading.† The Introduction to Reading Poetry with Mr.Pogue equipped me to understand the poets hidden persona and how to make sense of it. As this was a challenging course I believed I still wanted to embark on this journey. The Foundations of Literary study with Mrs.Barksdale-Shaw molded me to decipher all types of works. Literary works ranged from poems, music lyrics, and even plays. By the time I completed theShow MoreRelatedStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 Pagesand permission should be obtained from the publisher prior to any prohibited reproduction, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or likewise. To obtain permiss ion(s) to use material from this work, please submit a written request to Pearson Education, Inc., Permissions Department, One Lake Street, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458, or you may fax your request to 201-236-3290. Many of the designations by manufacturers

The Importance Of Bilingualism And Its Effects On The World

It was like I had said an explicit word as I yelled the word Abba to my dad at the end of soccer practice. Something very commonly said in my house, the Hebrew word for dad, produced looks of confusion from my small-town teammates and embarrassment within my 6-year-old self. From then on I never referenced my dad as Abba outside of the house until I was much older. My old teammates had feelings just like many other Americans in the United States about knowing other languages. In the United States the rate of people speaking two or more languages, bilingualism (2) and multilingualism (multiple), is the lowest in the world (Grosjean 15). When defining bilingualism, I am referencing the ability to communicate, whether it is speaking, writing, reading, or understanding, in another language. Out of the entire United States, close to 17 percent speak more than one language but they do not reach those of Europe, Asia, or Africa (Grosjean 15-6). Neurologists have discovered that language sh apes our brains. The brain structure of those who speak multiple languages differs from those who are monolingual, meaning they only speaking one language. Being bilingual was once thought to be a burden on the brain, but as new research is released throughout the years, the opposite is being discovered. Many people in the United States only know English; consequentially closing themselves off from the world. Language guides our lives. Knowing another language can open up opportunities in theShow MoreRelatedBilingualism Is The Ability By Individuals1208 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Bilingualism is the ability by individuals to use two linguistic systems languages. Children acquire bilingualism in their early years when they are regularly exposed to adults who speak two different languages such as German and French or English and Spanish. Research shows that the majority of people in the world today are bilingual, or multilingual (those who comprehend more than two languages), compared to monolingual (individuals who have learned only one language). While manyRead MoreMartin Espada And Richard Rodriguez1267 Words   |  6 Pagesidentity.† - Unknown. Bilingualism has many different interpretations and definitions and can cause problems in the community or unite it. The concept of bilingualism represents several different ideas, two writers, Martin Espada and Richard Rodriguez share in their essays their personal stories about being immersed into the English culture and learning the language. They share their views of what bilingualism means to them person ally and make arguments about the importance of the concept. The twoRead MoreSecond Language Learning And Teaching Essay1249 Words   |  5 Pagesand social lifestyle in both monetary and non-monetary ways as pointed out and â€Å"outlined by evaluating four distinct areas of policy (Grin 2004)†. These areas include, private monetary and non-monetary, and social monetary and social non-monetary effects. Language has also been linked to how culture develops as explained by â€Å"Hallett et al (2007)†, where language use was a clear indicator of health and wellbeing in Canada’s Aboriginal community. This Aboriginal community represents New Zealand’s MaoriRead MoreA Brief Note On English And French Language Essay1709 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction: Language is a method of communication and plays the main role of transmitting knowledge. The invention of the internet transformed the whole world into a room, which you can enter to communicate with people or companies from different regions. English and French language are commonly used by more than 60% of people across the world. History is the reference of a specific country, which is also transmitted by language .By other words, language is the major source of communicating ideasRead MoreThe Primary Responsibilities Of An Educator1412 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"bilingual education has the potential of being a transformative school practice, able to educate all children in ways that stimulate and expand their intellect and imagination, as they gain ways of expression and access different ways of being in the world† (p.12). Implementing a two-way Spanish and English immersion program provides students with a unique educational experience in which students have access to instruction in their primary language and a second language, with the goal of becoming bilingualRead MoreAnalysis Of Martin Espada And Richard Rodriguez1651 Words   |  7 PagesI lived in a predominantly Spanish community. These contrasting lifestyles and cultures truly showed me the difference between a public and a private identity, and the importance behind bilingualism in the world today. However, before I can recount what I’ve learned, we must first discuss two contrasting concepts about bilingualism from two very accomplished and controversial writers: Martà ­n Espada and Richard Rodriguez. Editor, essayist, and winner of the Paterson Award for Sustained Literary AchievementRead MoreBilingualism Has On The Mind Essay1810 Words   |  8 Pagesquestioned the importance of being bilingual, like how would this every help me in a world where English is becoming the native tongue. Before I stumbled across the research done on bilingualism I had very little to none background knowledge on bilingualism. I thought the only outcome of being bilingual or multilingual is you get to socialize with other people from other backgrounds and maybe have more opportunities to a more variety of jobs. Needs less to say I greatly underestimated the importance bilingualismRead Morenm,n. On the other hand the main dissimilarity of those two essays is authors view towards the society. Their ideas are very helpful for the development of our society.1747 Words   |  7 PagesArguments in their Effectiveness– In this assignment, you are required to show your abilities to summarize and comp are the effectiveness of two articles based on your analysis of them. Thus far in the course, we have read writers arguing about the effect of gender on the way people talk to one another. For instance, in his essay â€Å"Sex Differences,† Ronald Macaulay argues that the popular assumption that the speech of men and women is essentially different is a pure myth, while Rachel Rafelman, in herRead More English Language Learners: Families and Schools Essay1112 Words   |  5 Pagesthe educational sector there are administrators and teachers who are involved in students lives on a daily basis to ensure that education is equal. In order to achieve the vital objective of equality, socio-cultural influences on ELL students, bilingualism and home language use, parental and community resources, and partnerships between families and schools all have to be considered to provide an opportunity for equal education. The American society has a vast influence on students who are EnglishRead MoreBilingual Education : The Problems1695 Words   |  7 Pagesquick to point out problems produced by bilingual education. In my opinion, the benefits of bilingual education outweigh the problems. In this paper, I will discuss some benefits, problems, and solutions to these problems while also advocating the importance of bilingual education. Benefits of Bilingual Education There are many benefits to bilingual education. Most benefits will help students, but some benefits will better society. Bilingual education will help students with development, performance

My classroom free essay sample

The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards; and curiosity itself can be vivid and wholesome only in proportion as the mind is contented and happy.   (France, cited in Richards, 2006:14) This ethos is imperative to a successful learning environment and will be the philosophical foundation on which all learning and administrative functions within my school will be structured. Teaching is an art and every artist needs good tools and an open environment in which to work. A dynamic socially interactive environment which nurtures curiosity and inquisitiveness blended with support and appreciation for the needs and goals of the individuals within the school and the school community itself. Exploration and investigation will be facilitated and encouraged by teachers so that students are given the opportunity to think critically and become individual, successful autonomous learners and collaborators. The classroom is not only the core center for learning but also a source of inspiration, research and reflection on curriculum development. All subjects will be given an equal level of importance; problem and design based projects will play a role in blending the boundaries between subjects to achieve a more fluid learning environment. There will be links with the global community as a resource that plays a practical role in the educational process. As we move forward into the 21st century new skills such as problem-solving, cultural awareness and digital fluency are crucial in order for the next generation to succeed in life and be happy which is essentially the purpose and aim of education. The Ideal We live in an expanding multi-cultural digital age; as a result how we think, learn, communicate, process and source information has changed drastically in recent times. This rapid technological advancement is set to continue and for that reason it is vital to incorporate it into our educational system. Digital media has infiltrated almost every part of daily life and schools should embrace this digital world which is a source of limitless information and a valuable resource. Changes in curriculum are necessary to adapt the process of learning so that it meets the needs of our digital society and students who have become accustomed to interactive technologies as a way of life. There is a huge gap between how we embrace and use technology in society and within our educational system that needs to be addressed (Strommen and Lincoln, 1992:467). The school will aim to produce students with digital fluency, awareness of global citizenship, interpersonal and cross cultural communication skills that all support and complement a foundation of core knowledge. The combination of these competences in conjunction with a focus on emotional intelligence and a flexible approach to learning will empower students and prepare them for success in life. The development of all different aspects of the self will be adopted in order to foster positive emotional qualities and develop practical life skills. â€Å"institutions of the future need to dedicate themselves much more intensely to emotional and social capabilities and convey a more extensive, value-orientated education concept. The importance of acquiring factual knowledge will decline significantly, in favour of the ability to orientate yourself within complex systems and find, access and creatively utilize relevant information. † (Clouder, 2007:1) The Classroom The meaning of the word educate is derived from the Latin word educe to draw out, to develop from within (Oxford English Dictionary, 1989) therefore helping students learn how to think independently and create their own path through discovery based learning is the focus of the classroom. â€Å"creative thinking is itself a way of learning something new. You are not quite sure where your trail of thought will lead you. So there is a connection between thinking and learning or rather trying to teach oneself† (Adair, 2009:52) Classrooms will be fully digitized with individual computers, digital whiteboards and most importantly an area for discourse and group interaction. The teacher’s desk will be located near to the group interaction area and not the focal point of the room in order to create a communicative class environment placing importance on student participation and using the space as a pedagogical resource. The classroom is the core center for student learning and development, with teachers playing a key role in the process of developing self-directed learning as advisors and facilitators providing support through guided cognitive and constructivism methods. The internet will be utilized with a pedagogical purpose. Creating an environment in which students are exposed to technology as an infinite provider of information, an aid and resource to learning that needs to be filtered and analyzed. Students construct knowledge based on previous understanding and connections made between new information and old information. Sourcing and selecting new material and integrating it with what they already know in a logical structure (Mayer, 2003:17). This is a complex balance to accomplish that requires active student driven involvement and self-motivation in order to develop self-organized learning capabilities through discovery based learning. Sugata Mitra (2013) has shown in his recent studies that groups of children have the potential to learn almost anything when given access to relevant information in an open an engaging environment thus arousing curiosity and encouraging children to inquire and learn for themselves. However, if students only focus on personal interests without being aware of societal issues this will limit their development (Bottery, 1990:12). Children actively build and develop their ideas and the teachers’ constructivist role is to facilitate and accelerate this process by encouraging students and providing guidance. Students require freedom to become active independent learners but simultaneously need some guidance in order that their learning process results in the construction of knowledge (Bruner, 1961 cited in Mayer, 2004). Skills need to be developed so that students can identify, synthesize and analyze useful information (Trilling and Hood, 2001:9). Incorporating the use of innovative computer software systems has the potential to personalize learning so that students can develop at their own pace. Students can progress at a pace that not only challenges them but also ensures conceptual understanding of a topic before advancing forward. Software systems, like Khan Academy, provide students with this ground-breaking opportunity. The software is developed so that failure is not penalized but looked at as a challenge to get to the next level, similar to a computer game, which fosters a different mentality towards learning (Khan Academy, 2013). Students are given more responsibility to monitor their own development and have a sense of what they have achieved and the time to fully comprehend complex topics without the pressure of having to perform in exams, keep up with a group, or in the case of high achievers be bored within a group. It cultivates students who â€Å"assume a greater responsibility over their own learning† (Barron and Darling-Hammond, 2008:4). It also provides teachers with automatic diagnostic data about student development so that they can fully utilize class time for productive interaction and personalized guidance. This supports Vygotsky’s concept of the ‘zone of proximal development’, in that it highlights actual development and fast tracks the teacher’s ability to offer support and guidance in areas of difficulty and therefore advance potential development (Vygotsky, cited in Pollard, 2002:113). By using new technologies teachers can quickly avail of data to determine the students who need extra assistance and speak to individuals or create groups so that peers can support each other. It provides teachers with tools so they can utilize their time more efficiently and supportively furthermore creating time for interactive project based work that complements core learning knowledge, applying it to real life situations and engaging the students collaboratively. Collaborative learning methods have a positive effect on student relationships, attitudes towards learning and sharing ideas and as a whole it improves the process of learning (Barron and Darling-Hammond, 2008:12). The student is an active member of the class community and the teacher is a member of this community providing resources and activities. Students can contribute to their learning content using tools such as podcasts, screencasts, and blogs monitored by the teacher and accessible to both the class and the global community (November, 2012). With the use of technology it is possible to create educational links with school communities and experts from around the world with the objective of learning from each other and improving global communication skills (Hew and Brush, 2006:224). Creating multimedia resources and social media links integrates technology by using it as a means to support and further learning as opposed to learning about technology independently. In conjunction with this a focus on multi-cultural studies will provide students with a broader cultural understanding of the world, learning from other cultures and connecting this with their own interpersonal relationships (Trilling and Hood, 2001:10). Learning how to find, interpret, analyze, synthesize, and share information enhances the development of the knowledge age competence skills as defined by Trilling and Hood (2001). Working in collaboration on problem-based activities guided by the teacher, structured in a way that combines a variety of core based knowledge alongside interpersonal skills, project management and cultural understanding leads to creative thinking and the development of innovative ideas. This active collaborative social interaction creates an environment in which the group developmental level is higher than the sum of each individual’s personal level of achievement (Tharp and Gallimore, 1988 cited in Polard, 2002:256). In theory this is a valid learning model however as Bottery (1990:13) argues this places a huge level of responsibility on the teacher with regard to constructing the appropriate teaching materials and selecting the issues to be discussed. The role of the teacher is complex in more ways as it is â€Å"difficult to conceive of pedagogically sound ways to apply a technology when you are not familiar with it† (Strommen and Lincoln, 1992:473). Training and support are crucial to the integration of technology with a pedagogical purpose, as an inadequate utilization of these resources will result in computers being â€Å"little more than ‘electronic workbooks’, bearing an awkward and peripheral relationship to an otherwise unchanged curriculum† (ibid. , p. 473). Technology and project based learning can only fully support self-directed learning in so far as the paradigm of academic testing and adherence to curriculum is changed. Introducing a flexible curriculum is imperative to the process of constructivist learning in a technological environment and is required so that relevant criteria and engaging projects can support child driven learning. A new form of assessment that reflects this epistemology alongside a change in curriculum is inherent to its success. Importance placed on standardized testing not only discourages student engagement and collaboration but also hinders the learning progress together with consuming a large amount of teacher time and attention (Hout and Elliot, 2011). Assessment Assessment and curriculum are interlinked in that assessment dictates both the content of a subject and how it is taught (Hew and Bush, 2006:232). As assessment is â€Å"the activity of measuring student learning†, (Reeves, 2000 as citied in Hew and Bush, 2006:230) portfolios of work can be generated by tracking the natural progression of students’ critical understanding, use of knowledge, construction of ideas and how they synthesis information to problem solve (Papert, 2004). Project and problem based group work that is displayed and presented can form the basis of formative assessment as students and teachers evaluate through discourse. Prominent display of student work shares ideas, recognizes student achievement, motivates the class and encourages a strong work ethic. (Kress et al. , 2003:39). This uses visual space and assessment as a pedagogical resource to guide students in their educational development and self-directed learning whilst providing teachers with data that supports a more diagnostic and reflective method of teaching. This type of assessment is challenging but it supports a curriculum that focuses on the knowledge age competences and places value on the inquiry based learning aims of the school. We are in an age of growth and development and in order to grow we must explore and experiment. Where this will fail though is if we continue â€Å"to test within the framework of traditional curriculum† (Papert, 2004:2). To avoid this teachers and administration need to work together in unity to develop both a curriculum and an assessment strategy. Organizations like the Pearson Research Innovation Network are producing technologies that can potentially change the classroom, the teacher’s role and the curriculum structure. This is the future of education and we need to embrace it (McKnight, 2013). â€Å"new tools alone do not create educational change. The power is not in the tool but in the community that can be brought together and the collective vision that they share for redefining classroom learning† (Riel, 2000 cited in Strommen and Lincoln, 1992:472) Curriculum In my opinion a school, much like an organism is a multifaceted and interactive entity that is constantly changing and adapting to effectively support its growth. It is necessary to have a system in place that enables this growth to flourish and a trust and flexibility within the community to allow it to develop (Coppieters, 2005:129). Teachers and administrators will work together to design a flexible inquiry based curriculum, with objectives and guidelines, that recognize and serve the needs of the student, incorporate the values of the school community, and embrace innovative ideas within the school framework. Key to the functioning of this system is trust for and amongst teachers. An efficient and supportive administration team is vital for this to be accomplished as there needs to be distinct channels of communication between teachers and administration. This cooperative, democratic structure creates a clear path to the collaborative goal of continually improving teaching methods and learning processes. â€Å"Teachers creativity is a powerful force for positive educational change, but it can thrive only if it is unleashed and supported by strong institutional commitments† Ongoing teaching training within the school will be provided so that teachers understand technology-supported-pedagogy, improve research methods so they can contribute to curriculum development and the inquiry based learning process. Value placed on the development of teaching skills motivates teachers and enriches the school community (Sahlberg, 2007:156). This is limited by the policy makers, political and religious, that enforce a strict curriculum and subject based syllabus that hinders the power of individual schools and teachers to make decisions that promote pragmatic change. A struggle incurs that paralyzes the school as it is subjected to rigorous testing under present educational policies, which leave little time or freedom to introduce alternative teaching methods, adapt curriculum or change assessment modes. However, a national curriculum does have qualities such as measuring progression and continuity, providing a clear structure and monitoring standards (Pollard et al. , cited in Pollard, 2002:375) in contrast though the â€Å"prescriptive, outdated content specific national syllabus† (Pollard, 2002:158) available at the moment advocates a stagnant uniformity. It is restrictive and conflicts with the aims of a dynamic, organic view of the school and therefore I think it is important that individual schools be given more freedom to devise a curriculum that meets the needs of the student as adherence to and repetition of strict textbook packages results in a lack of teacher and consequently curriculum development (Apple, 1986, cited in Marsh 2004:34). A fluid movement between subjects will be supported and encouraged as a dichotomy between disciplines is unproductive as art has the potential to complement science and vice-versa, â€Å"somebody whose interest is in graphic arts can use mathematics  as an instrument to produce shapes† (Papert, 2004:2). Design and problem based projects blend analytical and intuitive thought processes which broadens understanding using subject based knowledge more freely to advance ideas in other disciplines and create a dynamic learning environment. Health and Emotional Intelligence Another important aspect which will be incorporated into the curriculum is a humanistic view to the development of all different aspects of the self which will be adopted in order to foster positive personal qualities and develop life skills and emotional intelligence. White identified personal fulfillment and practical wisdom as two of the key curriculum aims in his curriculum proposal (White, 2007). Both aims reflect what I believe to be some of the new challenges presented by modern society but are quite often overlooked and not given sufficient status in the education system. Developing a sense of self-confidence and the ability to voice emotions and opinion leads to an improvement in communication, collaboration and aids successful project based learning. Finding purpose sustains motivation and leads to creativity (Robinson, 2010). Lifestyle has a huge impact on educational development and there are increasingly more elements in modern society that affect a student’s ability to learn. Social skills are not developed through critical thought but on the basis of example. Though, this is essentially a natural and interactive development I feel students would benefit from a more informative and critical understanding of how personal behaviour and emotions effect how they feel, perform and communicate with each other. Providing students with relevant cognitive behavioral skills to deal with barriers to learning and promote healthy student development is very important. Programs, such as COPE (Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment), have shown that the inclusion of health and emotional development programs have a positive outcome on both learning and personal development (Caldwell, 2013). Challenging the stigma attached to mental health is another aspect that needs to be dealt with in schools. Depression and anxiety disorders among young people are prevalent in society (Green et. Reducing this stigma will allow for a more open development of emotional understanding and support a curriculum that teaches emotional intelligence alongside creating social awareness and empathy towards mental health issues. Practical life skills and an understanding of emotional intelligence are not only vital to successful functioning in our modern society but also learning how to utilize this skill based knowledge will complement and further deepen students understanding of personal strengths and weaknesses throughout their educational journey. Featuring a prominent life skill module of this caliber within the curriculum largely requires freedom to adapt and include relevant modules on an independent school level as â€Å"school health programs do not have high status in the educational hierarchy and in current health and education policy initiatives† (Adelman and Taylor, 1999:147). The decentralization of authority with regard to curriculum is necessary to develop and integrate modules that reflect the social, cultural and economic factors within a community. Placing importance and value on personal growth and understanding to support learning development as opposed to viewing it as a separate supplementary activity is a challenge in itself (ibid. , p. 153). Conclusion To achieve an effective amalgam of technological integration and a humanistic approach necessitates a delicate balance. It will require innovation, determination and exploration on the part of both teachers and administration to carve a path towards the educational practice of the future which is not without obstacles and challenges. The aim is that students will possess the tools needed to effectively engage with the process of learning, the skills and knowledge required to function in the 21st century and the ability to achieve personal fulfillment. Optimal student development is valued and a flexible curriculum that can be continually adapted will support this. Assessment will be used for the benefit of accelerating the learning process, maximizing the quality of class time and providing support for both students and teachers so that a system can be developed that empowers and motivates educators and students. This will ultimately arm future generations with valuable skills and qualities and a sense of social responsibility that can improve the world in which we live. If we want the next generation to be critical, problem-solving innovative thinkers then it is our duty to lead by example. In order to succeed you need to create the opportunity to evolve as it is radical change that makes a difference and inspires others.

Legalization Of Marijuana (5383 words) Essay Example For Students

Legalization Of Marijuana (5383 words) Essay Legalization Of MarijuanaSeveral pressing issues have arose throughout time, such as abortion and capitol punishment. The controversies have been addressed and decisions have been made. A new topic has emerged l states (1986, Congress), (Buchsbaum, 8). This crowds court rooms and jail cells, often times forcing judges to release violent offenders. In 1994 alone, 1.35 million people were incarcerated because of possession and use of marijuana (Buckley, 70). Even though only an estimates ten million Americans use marijuana on a monthly basis, about seventy million have at some time tried it. The current laws would justify putting all seventy million citizens in jail (Buckley, 70). Several pressing issues have arose throughout time, such as abortion and capitol punishment. The controversies have been addressed and decisions have been made. A new topic has emerged and demands recognition. It is the legalization of marijuana. Legalizing marijuana has become a widely discussed topic in the United States and the world for several reasons, including its role in industry and in recreation. Over the centuries, marijuana has been used to make such things as rope, sails, paper, cloth, oil, birdseed, and other various products. It was a major cash crop in the United States until 1937 when the Marijuana Tax Act was enacted by Congress. Harry Aslinger is responsible for leading the nation in an anti-marijuana movement. He initiated the uproar by publishing false stories of people in Mexico dying and going insane due to the use of hemp, or marijuana, products. Aslinger created a myth of the killer reefer and the assassin of youth, in which he depicted marijuana as the plant of evilness. The public naively presumed his stories were true, and avidly protested the growth of marijuana. The government had no choice but to act on the issue, outlawing the production of marijuana in an effort to satisfy the publics demand. Today, however, there is a growing number of marijuana activists. In 1994 alone, there was twenty-five million dollars worth of products created from hemp (Barry, 22). China, France, the United Kingdom, and Spain are large suppliers of hemp products which the United States imports. Such companies as Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Adidas, and Disney offer hemp commodities to the public. Popular Mechanics has listed over 25,000 products which marijuana could be used to make. Daily uses include: clothes, soaps, hair products, flour, candles, oil, paper, motor and fiberboard for building, hemp chips for horse bedding, textiles, and machine lubricants. The list is endless. If marijuana was used to make oil, it would reduce gasoline consumption by o ne half. Likewise, it would cut back deforestation by one half if the pulp was excreted to create paper. The United States Department of Agriculture has calculated that, over twenty years, one acre of hemp would yield as much pulp for paper as 4.1 acres of trees. (Barry, 22)Perhaps one of the best arguments for marijuana activists is that the marijuana plants are actually environmentally-friendly. The crop can be produces with little or no fertilizers or pesticides, which could help save the planet from chemical doom. (Barry, 23). Cotton, presently one of the largest cash crops in the south, is a chemical dependent crop and requires large quantities of water, which, in most cases, must be supplied by artificial means. Not only would marijuana eliminate a large amount of chemicals that are being pumped into our environment daily, but it would also remove heavy metals from the soil and replenish the ozone. The legalization of industrial marijuana is under consideration in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Missouri, Washington, and Kentucky, which was the largest producer of hemp when outlawed by the Marijuana Prohibitive Act of 1937 (Elvin, 17). Struggling Vermont farmers are supporters of revitalizing this miracle plant, and rightfully so. A majority of the Vermont farmers presently produce milk, which has a gross income of three hundred million dollars annually. Just and acre of hemp would have a nine hundred dollar commercial value. The legalization of industrial hemp would undoubtedly improve Vermonts economy. (Elvin, 17)There are two major oppositions to industrial hemp legalization, the law enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The law enforcement argues that it would be difficult to differentiate between a farmer growing marijuana for industrial purposes and someone growing marijuana to be used and sold for illegal, recreational purposes. In truth, they are two separate plants with distinct differences. The industrial plant is tall and stalky with few leaves, whereas the smokable plant is short and bushy with a plethora of leaves. The diversity is obvious, even to an untrained eye. The DEA detests industrial hemp for similar reasons. DEA spokesman, Dana Seely, stated that If youre doing aerial surveillance there would be no way to tell. (Elvin, 17). Seely is referring to the visible difference between industrial and smokable forms of marijuana. The genetic properties of the two plants is also entirely different. The amount of active tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC, in an industrial plant is under .02 percent. The smokable plant contains anywhere between four and eleven percent active THC (Elvin, 17). The Economist illustrates the fact when printing that industrial hemp contains so little of marijuanas psychoactive ingredient, THC, that even the most determined pothead could smoke it all day to little effect. (28). The advantages of legalizing industrial marijuana are evident. The citizens of the United States and their government must decide if such advantages constitute legalizing, or if it would be more beneficial to observe the present laws. Either way, the issue must be faced, and all options weighed accordingly. Industrial marijuana is the possible primary cash crop, and demands acknowledgment. There is yet another expanding group of activists that deem that the recreational use of marijuana ought to be legal. One of the largest organized activists groups in the United States is the Drug Policy Foundation (DPF). DPF was founded by Arnold Trebach. The staff of ten has worked to gain over 13,000 members. They recruit powerful members of society, such as lawyers and public officials. They raise and spend millions of dollars to boost their efforts. Presently, DPF is focusing on legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Other activists groups include Families Against Mandatory Minimums, Alliance for Cannabis Therapeutics, Forfeiture Endangers American Rights (FEAR), National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, and Cannabis Action Network. Cannabis Action Network is unique because it is a youth activist group. Members promote recreational usage of marijuana primarily on college campuses and at concerts (Cotts, 42). All advocates argue that marijuana is virtuall y harmless, and therefore, should be legal. Marijuana is not physically addictive. However, it is thought to be extremely psychologically addictive. Marijuana is linked to lung cancer and short term memory loss, but activists argue that these problems are no worse than those of tobacco or alcohol. No one has ever actually died from an overdose or misuse of marijuana. Studies do show, however, that marijuana leads to the abuse of harder drugs, which in time, may kill a person. Marijuanas popularity is thriving. In 1994, marijuana expanded into a ten million dollar industry. It is prevalent in television shows, lyrics of songs, caps, T-shirts, earrings, and tattoos. Between the years of 1992 and 1994, twenty-six percent of seniors in high school had smoked marijuana at some time, and the number of students who considered marijuana to be harmful decreased by ten percent. Presently, ten states have decriminalized being in possession of marijuana, which makes the crime equal to a parking violation (Buchsbaum, 8). The number of citizens that feel marijuana should be legal for medicinal reasons is also on the rise. An estimated seventy-five percent of Americans feel that marijuana should be available for doctors to prescribe. In December of 1993, Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders was quoted as saying that legalization was worth studying. (Buchsbaum, 8). Most recent changes are occurring in California. Activists have successfully convinced the government to legaliz e marijuana for medicinal purposes. In other words, doctors may now prescribe marijuana for such illnesses as AIDS, glaucoma, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and several other diseases. Recreational use of marijuana is legal in the Netherlands, Columbia, Switzerland, and Australia, as well as, parts of, Germany, Austria, and Britain. The Netherlands legalized marijuana in the mid-1980s in an attempt to drive a wedge between the hard-drug and soft-drug communities, between casual users and big-time dealers. (Morais, 115). The countrys officials argued that it wasnt the psychoactive properties of hashish, but contact with the criminal subculture that leads to serious antisocial behavior. (Morais, 115). Immediately proceeding legalization, coffee shops emerged throughout the Netherlands. The coffee shops sell various foods made with marijuana and the plant in smokable form. There are approximately 450 coffee shops in Amsterdam, distributing about 150,000 dollars worth of marijuana annually. Siberia sells 1,000 dollars worth daily. Tourists purchase an estimated 180 million dollars each year, which accounts for twenty-five percent of the countrys income from tourism. The legalizing of marijuana has boosted the Netherlands economy. There are more jobs in farming due to the sudden high demand. The accumulated number of business owners have sky-rocketed. This is primarily a byproduct of the public demand for coffee shops. Furthermore, the government profits from legalization. The government now has the ability to tax marijuana. Before, all the proceeds went to drug lords and petty drug pushers. The government has also gained more control over the trafficking of marijuana. They control the supply, which in turn means they control inflation of the price and availability. (Morais, 118)The coffee shops contribute to the medical field as well. Store owners work with area doctors to prescribe various forms of marijuana to patients. Also, each coffee shop helps to donate a total of twenty kilos of marijuana to the Berlin Institute for AIDS Research annually (Morais, 118). Some critics feel that the coffee shops are trading stations for a number of hard-dru gs that remain illegal. That simply is not true. Coffee shops are placed under strict regulations. The shops are instantly closed if there is even suspicion of hard-drug dealing, such as heroin or cocaine. With so much to lose, coffee shops owners have hired bouncers to eject anyone using or selling hard drugs. In other words, the Dutch cops now have the soft-drug communities helping them contain and discipline the hard-drug users. (Morais, 120). Bernhard Scholton, the Amsterdam polices foreign affairs spokesman, said, Its better to have all this in the open so we can keep and eye on it. (Morais, 120). Surrounding countries feel that the Netherlands have become too relaxed with the present drug policy. Nevertheless, statistically, the Netherlands tower over all neighboring countries. In 1994, police seized 524,000 pounds of illegal marijuana trafficking. That is four times what France obtained, yet still, France is threatening to close its borders. The Netherlands shut down twenty-seven highly organized drug rings, netted 18,000 pounds of cocaine, 541 pounds of amphetamines, and 437 pounds of heroin (Morais, 119). Hard-drug use has descended as well. The Netherlands have 1.6 addicts per 1,000 people. In comparison, France has 2.5, Italy has three, and Switzerland has 5.3. The Netherlands government accredits marijuana for the low rate of hard-drug addicts. Again, this is due to the fact that the mild drug, marijuana, users are aiding the police in shutting down illegal drug activities. It simply is no longer welcome in their society. (Morais, 115)As far as marijuana use, the Nether lands statistically exceeds the United States. According to estimates by the United Nations International Drug Control Program, over seven percent of the United States population abuses cannabis. It was found that some ten million Americans smoke marijuana on a monthly. In the Netherlands, marijuana abuse is just four percent (Morais, 115). Me myself and I Essay ThesisThere is yet another expanding group of activists that deem that the recreational use of marijuana ought to be legal. One of the largest organized activists groups in the United States is the Drug Policy Foundation (DPF). DPF was founded by Arnold Trebach. The staff of ten has worked to gain over 13,000 members. They recruit powerful members of society, such as lawyers and public officials. They raise and spend millions of dollars to boost their efforts. Presently, DPF is focusing on legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Other activists groups include Families Against Mandatory Minimums, Alliance for Cannabis Therapeutics, Forfeiture Endangers American Rights (FEAR), National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, and Cannabis Action Network. Cannabis Action Network is unique because it is a youth activist group. Members promote recreational usage of marijuana primarily on college campuses and at concerts (Cotts, 42). All advocates ar gue that marijuana is virtually harmless, and therefore, should be legal. Marijuana is not physically addictive. However, it is thought to be extremely psychologically addictive. Marijuana is linked to lung cancer and short term memory loss, but activists argue that these problems are no worse than those of tobacco or alcohol. No one has ever actually died from an overdose or misuse of marijuana. Studies do show, however, that marijuana leads to the abuse of harder drugs, which in time, may kill a person. Marijuanas popularity is thriving. In 1994, marijuana expanded into a ten million dollar industry. It is prevalent in television shows, lyrics of songs, caps, T-shirts, earrings, and tattoos. Between the years of 1992 and 1994, twenty-six percent of seniors in high school had smoked marijuana at some time, and the number of students who considered marijuana to be harmful decreased by ten percent. Presently, ten states have decriminalized being in possession of marijuana, which makes the crime equal to a parking violation (Buchsbaum, 8). The number of citizens that feel marijuana should be legal for medicinal reasons is also on the rise. An estimated seventy-five percent of Americans feel that marijuana should be available for doctors to prescribe. In December of 1993, Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders was quoted as saying that legalization was worth studying. (Buchsbaum, 8). Most recent changes are occurring in California. Activists have successfully convinced the government to legaliz e marijuana for medicinal purposes. In other words, doctors may now prescribe marijuana for such illnesses as AIDS, glaucoma, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and several other diseases. Recreational use of marijuana is legal in the Netherlands, Columbia, Switzerland, and Australia, as well as, parts of, Germany, Austria, and Britain. The Netherlands legalized marijuana in the mid-1980s in an attempt to drive a wedge between the hard-drug and soft-drug communities, between casual users and big-time dealers. (Morais, 115). The countrys officials argued that it wasnt the psychoactive properties of hashish, but contact with the criminal subculture that leads to serious antisocial behavior. (Morais, 115). Immediately proceeding legalization, coffee shops emerged throughout the Netherlands. The coffee shops sell various foods made with marijuana and the plant in smokable form. There are approximately 450 coffee shops in Amsterdam, distributing about 150,000 dollars worth of marijuana annually. Siberia sells 1,000 dollars worth daily. Tourists purchase an estimated 180 million dollars each year, which accounts for twenty-five percent of the countrys income from tourism. The legalizing of marijuana has boosted the Netherlands economy. There are more jobs in farming due to the sudden high demand. The accumulated number of business owners have sky-rocketed. This is primarily a byproduct of the public demand for coffee shops. Furthermore, the government profits from legalization. The government now has the ability to tax marijuana. Before, all the proceeds went to drug lords and petty drug pushers. The government has also gained more control over the trafficking of marijuana. They control the supply, which in turn means they control inflation of the price and availability. (Morais, 118)The coffee shops contribute to the medical field as well. Store owners work with area doctors to prescribe various forms of marijuana to patients. Also, each coffee shop helps to donate a total of twenty kilos of marijuana to the Berlin Institute for AIDS Research annually (Morais, 118). Some critics feel that the coffee shops are trading stations for a number of hard-dru gs that remain illegal. That simply is not true. Coffee shops are placed under strict regulations. The shops are instantly closed if there is even suspicion of hard-drug dealing, such as heroin or cocaine. With so much to lose, coffee shops owners have hired bouncers to eject anyone using or selling hard drugs. In other words, the Dutch cops now have the soft-drug communities helping them contain and discipline the hard-drug users. (Morais, 120). Bernhard Scholton, the Amsterdam polices foreign affairs spokesman, said, Its better to have all this in the open so we can keep and eye on it. (Morais, 120). Surrounding countries feel that the Netherlands have become too relaxed with the present drug policy. Nevertheless, statistically, the Netherlands tower over all neighboring countries. In 1994, police seized 524,000 pounds of illegal marijuana trafficking. That is four times what France obtained, yet still, France is threatening to close its borders. The Netherlands shut down twenty-seven highly organized drug rings, netted 18,000 pounds of cocaine, 541 pounds of amphetamines, and 437 pounds of heroin (Morais, 119). Hard-drug use has descended as well. The Netherlands have 1.6 addicts per 1,000 people. In comparison, France has 2.5, Italy has three, and Switzerland has 5.3. The Netherlands government accredits marijuana for the low rate of hard-drug addicts. Again, this is due to the fact that the mild drug, marijuana, users are aiding the police in shutting down illegal drug activities. It simply is no longer welcome in their society. (Morais, 115)As far as marijuana use, the Nether lands statistically exceeds the United States. According to estimates by the United Nations International Drug Control Program, over seven percent of the United States population abuses cannabis. It was found that some ten million Americans smoke marijuana on a monthly. In the Netherlands, marijuana abuse is just four percent (Morais, 115). On May 5, 1994, Columbia legalized the possession of small quantities of cocaine and other drugs, including marijuana. The war on drugs in Columbia, sponsored primarily by the United States, actually did more harm than good. There was a sharp rise in human rights abuses, government corruption, and crime. Trying to reduce the drug supply hurt the people of Columbia. For example, a fifty percent crop reduction would only cause a five percent inflation of the drugs price. However, the farmers would be in despair, which would escalate violence and social dislocation. (858). Columbias attorney General Gustan de Griff addressed the United States in saying, Couldnt it be that there are people in the United States Senate who would like to see struggle continued in Columbia, a safe distance away from the United States, rather than consider alternatives that distribute the burdens of the drug war more equally? (858). The United States spends between fourteen and twenty billion dollars a year on their own War on Drugs. About two-thirds of that money is used to stop the supply, which essentially means to more funds for a larger law enforcement force. Sadly enough, less than one-third is used to stop the demand, which constitutes education and treatment. If marijuana was legalized, money would be spent to stop the demand. Drug treatment facilities would emerge across throughout the country. Overall, treatment would prove to be seven times more cost efficient than the constant increase of the law enforcement. Take tobacco use for example, which has been continuously dropping. It is not dropping because tobacco was outlawed, but because the public is more educated on the risk involved. The Unites States jails and judicial systems are highly overcrowded. In fact, fifty percent of trial time and fifty percent of jail spaced is used by drug offenders. Presently, the possession of marijuana has a mandatory jail sentence in severaf legalizing marijuana. It could put criminals out of business. There would be no need for pushers to be invading the playgrounds, or drug lords controlling the communities. Legalization could help to end drug wars. There would be more room in jails for violent criminals, which would create a safer, harmonious environment. The government would be in control of the price, purity, distribution, and access. Addiction would be treated as a health problem, not a crime. If the government kept prices low, addicts would not have to steal to support their habit. The government would be able to tax marijuana which would be extremely profitable. There is also legitimate reasons not to legalize. In the Netherlands, teenage use of marijuana has increased 25 0% while it has decreased two-thirds in the United States (Califano, 7). In theory, health and welfare costs would rise due to the growing number of addicts. The government has been unable to control underage use of cigarettes and alcohol. If marijuana was legalized, it would be nearly impossible to ensure any set age limit would be respected. The Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse has found that adolescents who smoke marijuana are eighty-five times more likely to use cocaine, and are more prone to violent behavior and suicide (Forbes, 26). There are also physical dangers to consider. One joint does the equivalent damage to the lungs as four cigarettes. If marijuana was legalized, a rise in the number of lung cancer patients should be expected to rise. Marijuana weakens the immune system. It reduces the IQs of babies born to inhaling mothers. Marijuana distorts perception, impairs memory, and reduces concentration. It is known to be psychologically addictive (Forbes, 26). Legalizing marijuana would reverse much of the work to lower drug use. In 1990, Alaska recriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana by a 55% vote (47). From 1979 to 1994, drug use has dropped from 24.8 million people to thirteen million people (Califano, 8). It is time that this nation faces the issue of legalizing marijuana, and determine what would enhance the lives of American citizens. Both the use of marijuana for industrial and recreational purposes has evolved into a moral question. One must look inside himself or herself to arrive at a personally satisfying answer. In the end, righteousness will prevail. Legal Issues Essays