Legalize It

Persuasive Essay
11/8/06

General Purpose: To Persuade
Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience that medical marijuana should be legalized for prescription use because it has certain medical abilities that can not be replicated by any other drug.
Central Idea: The current legal status of marijuana is a huge problem that requires immediate action from the government to ensure that people in need are able to medicate themselves legally.
Method of Organization: Problem Solution
Introduction
I. At six years old, Simon started to throw up multiple times every week. At the age of 13 his conditions worsened and he was hospitalized for a month. Eventually he was diagnosed with Crohn’s Dieseas and he began to develop other symptoms such as high fever, anemia, internal bleeding, and pancreatitis which all can be fatal. Simon was put on a drug to stabilize him but it unfortunately had the side effects of constant nausea and vomiting. Simon tried a number of anti-nausea remedies but he still did not improve.
II. Simon found the magical answer to his suffering one-day in the hospital when he heard that some cancer patients smoke marijuana to relieve their pain. After finally trying marijuana that he got from his schoolmates he learned that it greatly improved his mood. Simon no longer was nauseous and was able to live a bearable life. Unfortunately, Simon was expelled from his High School one day for smoking outside of the building. After explaining the illness to the principal, he was allowed back and greatly improved in school by taking 3-4 small doses of marijuana a day. He and his family are terrified of being arrested by federal drug agents any day but he has no other options that would let him live a tolerable life.
III. Unfortunately, there are many people in the United States that are like Simon and need to risk their lives in order to save them. After intense research of medical marijuana, I have come to the conclusion that medical marijuana needs to be...