Making Marijuana Legally

Marijuana legalization is a contentious issue, particularly in the United States, with both sides presenting compelling arguments for why marijuana should or should not be legalized. Marijuana supporters argue that legalizing the drug would not increase consumption, but rather provide people with knowledge about how to use it. Opponents, on the other hand, claim that marijuana alters people's minds and can cause significant harm. Marijuana is a weed with both positive and negative aspects. Marijuana's medicinal value cannot be overlooked, and some states have already legalized it. Its ability to intoxicate the mind, however, makes it one of the most feared weeds. The paper will discuss both the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana and have a stand on whether or not it should be legalized.

Pros of legalizing Marijuana

Medicinal values

According to Kamin and Morris (2010), Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are two active chemicals in marijuana that have medicinal values. Hence, it can be used to treat Glaucoma, decrease anxiety, reduce the rate of spread of cancer cells and slows Alzheimer’s disease progression (Bretteville‐Jensen, 2016). Patients with painful symptoms of multiple sclerosis can get reprieve by smoking marijuana. Those with Crohn’s disease can also benefit from using marijuana.

Revenue Generation

The current state of the economy means the government is struggling with rising costs and decreased revenue. Legalization of marijuana would see it generate millions of dollars through taxation. Revenue generated from marijuana can be used in the provision of services to the public such as building roads, schools and recreation centers (Kamin & Morris, 2010).

Safety Control

The illegal nature of marijuana means there are no safety rules and its consumers do not know the dangerous substances it contains. If legalized, a safety control framework would be developed to guide users and reduce the adverse risks of smoking the drug (Caulkins, Kilmer & Kleiman, 2016).

Effective law enforcement and criminal justice

Currently, law enforcement agencies spend a lot of time and resources pursuing people who smoke and peddle marijuana. Legalization of the drug would free up resources for the police and other anti-drug agencies that would be used to pursue criminals committing more serious crimes such as robberies and murder (Bretteville‐Jensen, 2016).

Cons of legalizing marijuana

Increased addiction

Long term use of marijuana leads to addiction and its legalization would see more people become dependents as it would be easily accessible (Newton, 2013). Furthermore, addicts suffer from withdrawal symptoms such as irritability and anxiety that would require heavy investment in rehabilitation centers.

Increased cases of driving under the influence of marijuana

The legalization of marijuana would increase stoned driving. Despite penalties on drink driving, the problem still persists. Legalization of marijuana would make it worse because it is difficult to detect (Bretteville‐Jensen, 2016). Stoned driving could lead to accidents and deaths in the road. Additionally, a lapse in judgment due to the use of marijuana could lead to rape, robbery and violence.

Effects on children

If marijuana is legalized, it could fall in the hands of young children that could prove to be destructive to the young minds (Caulkins, Kilmer & Kleiman, 2016). Similar to adults, children do not exhibit the same judgment, responsibility and reasoning and can easily engage in using the drug

In conclusion, the legalization of marijuana will continue being a contentious issue. However, I believe it should be legalized and backed with a framework that would reduce its negative effects. The drug has medicinal value and is good for recreation. These should be exploited to promote health, particularly in areas where modern medicine has failed.

References

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Bretteville‐Jensen, A. L. (2016). Expected lessons from the US experience with alternative cannabis policy regimes. Addiction, 111(12), 2090-2091.

Caulkins, J. P., Kilmer, B., & Kleiman, M. (2016). Marijuana legalization: What everyone needs to know.

Kamin, S., & Morris, C. S. (2010). The impact of the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana: An immediate look at the cannabis reform movement. Boston, Mass.: Aspatore.

Newton, D. E. (2013). Marijuana: A reference handbook. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO.

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