CURRENT PROBLEMS OF THE AMERICAN ECONOMY Research Paper

CURRENT PROBLEMS OF THE AMERICAN ECONOMY - Research Paper Example The problem in question arose out of a much older â€Å"war† being fought by the United States (US) lawmakers and administrators: the war on drugs. The attempts to ensure a drug-free world stretch not only to the prohibition on harder substances like (powder and crack) cocaine and heroin, but also to marijuana, which has proven medicinal qualities as a pain reliever. The Mariana Policy Project (MPP), a D.C. based think-tank, describes marijuana prohibition as a resounding failure, and reports that in the US, â€Å"there are more arrests for marijuana possession each year than for all violent crimes combined† (MPP.org). Frivolous incarcerations for marijuana possession and use not only put increasing pressure on prisons and community jails, but also use up precious resources that could otherwise be diverted to other, more useful, areas of public spending. This paper proposes that the existing marijuana policy be repealed and drug legalization takes its place; the followi ng paragraphs shall attempt to substantiate this suggestion. Marijuana or medical cannabis, as mentioned above, has proven medicinal qualities, mostly as a herbal pain reliever, and this fact is what seems to have taken the issue of drug prohibition into a veritable gray area. Due to the high costs of prescription painkillers, many opt to smoke marijuana instead as a cheap alternative; under the current regulations, however, this is unlawful. The arrest of a Seattle resident in July 2008 for marijuana possession incited one news editor to brand the existing legal framework governing the use of marijuana as â€Å"reefer madness† (Ramsey 2008). What confounds this legal framework is the disparity between the laws in certain states vis-à  -vis other states’ and federal laws on the matter. The Controlled Substances Act, a federal statute, deems cannabis as a Schedule I drug, without any expressly known or accepted medicinal value. Therefore, one cannot have an unfettered access to marijuana,

Crime Scenes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Crime Scenes - Essay Example Crime scene processing is the real act of processing the scene of a crime in the field with the term processing referring to the complete task of examining, sketching, photographing and utilizing field procedures to identify, assess, document/record, process and collect physical, fingerprint and testimonial evidence. Crime scene investigation involves logic, science and law and it is necessary to put into consideration the fact that every crime scene, piece of evidence and the approach of investigation differ. However, in all crime scenes, there is a basic protocol or tasks to which the initial responding officer at a crime scene should adhere. Travis and his co-authors assert that one of the principal aspects of ensuring that the crime scene is secure is to preserve it with minimal disturbance and contamination of physical evidence. The primary response to an incident is normally systematic and expeditious. Following his arrival, the initial responding officer should carry out his f irst responsibility of evaluating the scene.