Legalization of Marijuana
There are many reasons why marijuana should be legalized both for medical and recreational purposes. Research has shown that, despite the fact that in the U.S marijuana is the drug that is third most used, the dangers associated with it are less when compared to those of alcohol or tobacco. Statistics also show that about 50,000 people perish as a result of alcohol poisoning, while almost 400,000 people die as a result of illness that are tobacco- related each year. This is not the case with marijuana (Morgan 12). In fact, there is actually no proof that marijuana could directly cause death. This is ironic because police departments in many countries, where the consumption of marijuana is illegal, use a lot of time and resources for arresting people who use marijuana.
Clearly, it would make more sense if marijuana were to be considered a soft drug and be readily available in coffee shops and retail stores just like cigarettes. However, there should be stringent rules that govern the purchase and sale of marijuana when it is made legal, so that it is not abused. The dispensaries that stock marijuana should be allowed to stock limited amount of marijuana at a given period of time. The customers of marijuana should also be regulated using particular system of rules (Morgan 14). A basic example of such rules is that anyone entering a coffee shop to purchase marijuana should be at least 18 years of age. The customers must also receive a particular permit allowing them to use the drug. The permit will also act as proof that the consumer has attained the required age.
It has been said that fruits that are forbidden taste the sweetest. Humans always feel the temptation to try out something that is illegal or is not allowed by the general public view. This temptation could become so strong that people yield. Making marijuana legal would do away with the allure that arises from the fact that it is forbidden. This means that many people, who are attracted to the drug now, would lose interest in consuming it (Samaha 34).
When marijuana is legalized, more people will be aware of the consequences that come with the use of it. Research has shown that people do illegal things as a result of a compulsive reaction. This is because people do not think of the results of their actions when they decide to do something out of impulse. Providing people with the necessary information concerning the consequences of using marijuana will help them consider the outcomes that drug may have on their lives long after they have consumed it. The only fact that marijuana is illegal has not succeeded in stopping people from consuming it. People will always try and find the back doors and other ways of using marijuana. If it is made legal, people would have access to the necessary information, so that they will be able to make educated decisions concerning whether or not to use marijuana.
There are many reasons why marijuana ought to be legalized. One of these reasons is the fact that responsible smokers of marijuana will not pose any danger to citizens in the country or to the children. For this reason, marijuana smokers should not be treated as if they were criminals by taking their children away. Society should be made aware of the point that it is not right to expose innocent civilians to harm. This means that marijuana smokers, who are responsible in the drug use, will not be exposing anyone to harm and should not be arrested.
Despite the positive outcomes of marijuana legalization, just like in case with any other substance, it is possible for marijuana smokers to abuse the drug. Overuse remains the biggest problem that is associated with the use of marijuana. When this drug is overused, lethargic behavior may be induced. Even then, this lethargic feeling has not been known to cause any serious health problems. Constant use of marijuana could cause loss of short-term memory. Again, this negative impact only occurs for as long as an individual is under the influence of marijuana. At the same time, the drug does not interfere with the long-term memory of the smoker. Contrary to popular assumptions, the use of marijuana does not lead the smoker to using of harder drugs (Earlywine 28).
Marijuana should be legalized both for recreational and medical purposes. This is because unlike other drugs, marijuana does not damage the brain of the smoker. It also does not cause any genetic damage harm to the immune system of a person. Moreover, marijuana does not damage the cells of the brain or make the smoker act violently towards other people. As much as it is true that using marijuana for a long time exposes the smoker to bronchitis, chances that an average marijuana smoker will contract bronchitis from the drug are slim. Any complications that marijuana could cause to the respiratory organs can be eliminated by encouraging consumers of marijuana to take it via methods other than smoking. These methods include ingestion through baked foods or through vaporization.
For thousands of years marijuana has been used as a medicine in many countries across the world. The first and foremost reason why marijuana should be legalized is the fact that government could actually make a large amount of money through taxes on the sale of marijuana. The second reason is that marijuana has been proven to have immense medical value. The values that marijuana adds to the medical world are more important than its potential to be abused. The major diseases that are treated by marijuana is depression and post-traumatic stress. Cannabis also makes notable contributions to the clothing and paper industries.
In the twenty-first century it is important that governments to concentrate on drugs that present more serious threats, such as amphetamines and heroin. In many countries, the majority of the people in prison are facing marijuana charges. These convicts are overcrowding and clogging courts rooms and prisons making these judicial institutions less effective. While many governments spend billions of dollars on responding to illegal drug issues and tracking down drug peddlers, they do not receive any money in the form of taxes from this illegal business. A country like the United States also uses billions of dollars every year fighting the war on drugs (Gerber 52).
Legalizing marijuana would legalize imposition of tax on marijuana users. Placing reasonably high taxes on marijuana users and sellers would be possible because those who buy the drug are used to paying high prices for it due to the fact that it is illegal. After it has been made legal, marijuana could be sold, just like other household items, at a convenient store. Of course, buyers would spend less on purchasing of marijuana than they do now; yet it would still make profit for those selling it because marijuana is easy to grow.
Legalizing marijuana could actually lead to the creation of an entire industry because of all the products that are hemp-based. Firstly, the oils that are removed from the marijuana seeds could be used as fuels. Secondly, the hemp fibre is one that is highly valued because it is very strong. The hemp fibre is actually used to tell whether other fabrics are strong enough or not. Because of its strength, the hemp fibre could be used in the manufacturing of ropes. Clothes and paper can also be manufactured from the fibre. Thirdly, the money that the government could make from the taxes on marijuana could be put into better use. The budget revenue can be used to combat other drugs that are more addictive and pose serious threats to the health of people; or even clear the national debt (Rosenthal 67).
In conclusion, contrary to popular assumption, the use of marijuana for recreational purposes does not stimulate crime. This is true, if the rate of crime in Amsterdam is anything to go by. The use of marijuana is legal in Amsterdam, yet the rate of crime is lower compared to the most cities across the world where smoking of marijuana is illegal.
