The 1960s will always be a time we will look back on with fond memories and great stories. Many things happened during that time that shaped the way American culture. Rock & Roll, hippies, movements like civil rights, Woodstock, art, all new and cool things that came out of this era and continue to flourish and influence our society today. Although mostly unspoken, drug use played a major role in this time period and has become almost an unspoken icon of the era. One of the most well-known drugs is marijuana, then and now, and it continues to become more and more controversial as time goes by. Legalization has been a hot topic of discussion for a long time now, and while the thought that an illegal drug could now be legalized is intimidating to many, we should consider what the benefits of marijuana could be for our country. Not only would this put an end to a seemingly bottomless debate, but legalizing marijuana may be in the best interests of the United States recreationally and medically for a number of reasons. If we take into consideration what benefits legalization would bring, we would find that it could significantly help us medically, legally, and socially, all of which have a great impact on our society. Should medical marijuana be considered a last resort or not considered at all? ? Due to the illegal nature of marijuana, many patients and their doctors are skeptical of its effectiveness, however many cases have proven this skepticism to be false. Cancer is one of the most terminal, painful and prolonged diseases there is. There have been overwhelming reports of medical marijuana aiding the healing process, but not just in cancer, in other vast ranges of the... middle of paper... juana must be legalized and separated from lifestyle and culture average American. Adding these images with word placement and the words themselves was a strategic way Kozik appealed to viewers' ethos and pathos as Uncle Sam and a family are relatable and happiness is something everyone seeks to achieve, describing marijuana as the opposite solution. to previous beliefs. Legalizing marijuana in America will not be easy and will be an adjustment for all the American people since it has been illegal for so long. Although there will be continued controversy over the legalization of marijuana, America will ultimately benefit greatly from the decriminalization of this substance. The ongoing reason presented is that it will bring enormous benefits to America in the areas of medicine, legality, and social standing.