In the late 1970's, Susan Nelson watched her husband, Don, in constant agony. He was undergoing chemotherapy treatment for testicular cancer, and his body was continually rejecting his supplemental drugs, causing him to vomit with. His body's natural reaction was only causing Don to incur further tissue damage. If only the natural plant, Cannabis Sativa (commonly known as marijuana), had been legal at the time, Don would not have had to suffer the agony associated with cancer therapy (Portland NORML). Some may think I am young, and just wish to promote drugs, but I assure you that my interest is not recreational. Like Susan, I too have watched someone close to me suffer from cancer. The use of marijuana would have helped curbed the pain my uncle experienced at the hands of chemotherapy, just as it could have helped Don Nelson. And although it is true that by legalizing marijuana, recreational smoking may increase, marijuana's medicinal and environmental uses outweigh the costs of its use in leisure. Surely no humane citizen would want to withhold this versatile medical plant from the millions who suffer from illnesses.
             Historically, marijuana first used in colonial America where its fibers were used to make thousands of daily products, including paper, textiles, rope, oil, canvas, detergent, pain, and fuel (NORML). The plant continued to be cultivated as a major crop until 1937 when Congress passed the Marijuana Tax Act after a single hearing, outlawing hemp and putting an end to the prominent industry (CIN). Passage of the act was based on false claims spread by the media, declaring marijuana use caused death and insanity in Mexicans, which the public naively presumed as true (Stroup). Today the federal government refuses to repeal the prohibition, despite knowledge of the numerous advantages of hemp. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) remains firmly opposed to legalization, even after admitting, "It would be ...