advantages and disadvantages of legalizing marijuana

advantages and disadvantages of legalizing marijuana

Introduction

In most countries around the world, marijuana is an illegal drug because of the adverse effects it has on health. There are strict laws concerning possession or usage of marijuana in order to curb its usage. However, over the past few years, marijuana has been legalized in over ten states for medicinal and recreational purposes. Marijuana can be used for several medicinal purposes and since most governments have healthcare for people as a key agenda, medicinal marijuana has been legalized. Another reason that some states have legalized marijuana for recreational purposes is the positive economical impact that comes with the legalization. Although there are some well-established reasons for legalizing marijuana, some states are still hesitant because of the negative health effects as well as increased usage among teenagers and the risk of addiction. This paper will cover both advantages and disadvantages of legalizing marijuana as well conclude with my personal opinion of the matter at the end of the argument.

Why Marijuana should be legalized

Marijuana has many users and legalizing it translates to an economic gain. First and foremost, government expenditure on criminal justice of marijuana law enforcement. Although the government will also lose the fines that are generated from such cases, the costs it will cut if much more. According to David (2013), legalization will reduce the need for prosecutorial, judicial, correctional, and police resource spending by approximately $7.7 billion – $13.7 billion per year, even though some revenue from court fines and asset forfeitures would be lost. Therefore, the money that was channeled to the justice system can be channeled to other developmental projects. This impacts positively on the economy of the country.

Also, the government will earn tax from marijuana taxation and licensing (David, 2013). This will be an extra source of income for the country and it will lead to economical and developmental growth. In addition, legalizing marijuana will reduce the usage. It is an indisputable fact is that marijuana has played a large part in crime. Where marijuana is illegal, there are cartels that make sure that the drug is in constant supply for the users. There are high risks involved when fighting for “territories” to peddle the drug. Gangs get money through peddling marijuana and because it is illegal and dangerous, they are always armed and ready to fight in order to avoid getting arrested. This gives rise to the question of whether crime rate will reduce upon legalization of marijuana. In line with Dan (2016), the pleasure of using drugs comes from the violence, the overdose and the thrill of criminality. Therefore, the war on marijuana will never be effective as long as the government continues to provide that thrill of illegality. By legalizing marijuana, either for medicinal or recreational purposes, the thrill that comes with the violence and criminality will be ended, making many people stop abusing it. there is a limitation for this method because people tend to imagine that with the legalization of marijuana, many people will be attracted to use it. however, this is not the case because, there will be well laid-up plans for standardization, inspecting, distributing and taxing the drug. This will prevent abuse because of the order introduced. This will also prevent the peddling of contaminated and unrefined marijuana which leads to health hazards.

Why Marijuana should not be legalized

Marijuana usage comes with many health hazards with most of them affecting the brain. Adults who smoked marijuana regularly during adolescence have impaired neural connectivity (fewer fibers) in specific brain regions (Norah, Reuben, Wilson & Susan, 2014). This implies that marijuana affects the ability of a person to be alert, self-conscious or aware. The functional connectivity of the brain can be permanently impaired by prolonged exposure to tetrahydrocannabinol which is the primary active ingredient in marijuana. This impairment on brain development results to reduced productivity in school or at the workplace and this translates to development stagnation. Norah et al. (2014), further states that marijuana smoking exposes one to chronic bronchitis. This is because marijuana causes inflammation of the large airways and increases resistance which leads to lung inflammation.

Another reason as to why marijuana should not be legalized is the negative effect it has on teenagers. If marijuana is legalized, there is increased availability, less social resistance and low prices and this increases the chances of teenagers using the drug. This is in line with Christian (2014) who states that, “the widespread legalization and acceptance of marijuana implies that as law enforcement approaches for marijuana control decline”. When marijuana is legalized, there will be many outlets where anyone can purchase the drug for either medicinal or medical purposes.  Marijuana use among adolescents can lead to dependence which will increase crime rate in the society. Just like dependence on all drugs, the addicts engage in petty crimes in order to finance their drug problem. As such, insecurity in the society will rise.

Furthermore, marijuana is a major contributor to the elevated rates of school dropouts. Weekly marijuana use under age 18 years has been associated with an eight-point drop in intelligence among those who develop persistent dependence (Christian, 2014). This implies that school performance is affected since the cognitive function of the brain has been interfered with. Continuous poor performance in school demotivates teenagers who in turn drop out. Most of these teenagers who develop addiction resolve to crime which increases insecurity in the society.

Conclusion

Personal Opinion on the Legalization of Marijuana

Recreational marijuana should not be legalized in the US. The disadvantages of marijuana outweigh the advantages. Concerning the issue of economic growth, marijuana will not contribute positively to the economic growth of the US. Although funds that were earlier channeled into crimes associated with marijuana will be put to other use, more money will be spent convicting people found driving under the influence of marijuana. Money will be channeled into awareness campaigns warning people of how using marijuana impairs driving ability which leads to fatal road accidents.

In addition, legalizing marijuana will put the future of the nation at risk. Since marijuana can lead to dependence and thereafter impairment of brain development, it is a risk to make it available to teenagers. Leaving the future of the nation to teenagers with damaged cognitive functions is a huge risk that can lead the entire nation astray. Marijuana also interferes with the capability of a student to achieve educational goals which leads to poor performance in school. It is inn school where people gain education and other technical skills. If students cannot concentrate in school and gain these skills, they will be unable to engage in economic activities in future and it will lead to an economic stagnation.

Furthermore, marijuana will lead to insecurity. Prolonged marijuana usage can lead to addiction; addiction leads to economic strains since one uses a lot of money to finance the addiction. In the event one fails to get money to purchase the drugs, they commit petty crimes in order to get the drugs which they depend on. In conclusion, marijuana should not be legalized in the US.

References

Baum, D. (2016). Legalize it all. Harper’s magazine, 24.

Evans, D. (2013). The economic impacts of marijuana legalization.

Hopfer, C. (2014). Implications of marijuana legalization for adolescent substance use. Substance Abuse, 35(4), 331-335.

Volkow, N. D., Baler, R. D., Compton, W. M., & Weiss, S. R. (2014). Adverse health effects of marijuana use. New England Journal of Medicine, 370(23), 2219-2227.