Introduction
Legalization of marijuana has been one of the recent issues dividing our society. With the recent legislation changes in Colorado, we must examine its potential impact within our culture by reflecting on current research regarding the, so far, mostly frowned upon drug. The opponents of legalization of marijuana, in their attempt to sway the public opinion, mostly point out its dangers for being a highly addictive gateway drug, the use of which can have serious consequences of both physical and psychological nature; a drug that has already irreversibly destroyed lives of millions of teens, adults and their families.
Marijuana compared to other substances
Let us first examine how addictive marijuana is compared to other legalized substances. Research shows that out of those who tried marijuana once, about 9 percent eventually become addicted. This, most certainly, is not a negligible percentage. However, it is lower than other, already legal, substances that are an everyday part of our society. For example, compared to marijuana, addiction potential of alcohol is full 15 percent and addiction potential of nicotine is even more distressful, whole 32 percent for first time users (Arkowitz & Lilienfeld, 2012).
There is an omnipresent concern amongst the opposition of legalization of marijuana regarding potential rise in numbers of under-the-influence motor vehicle crash fatalities. In 2005 the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that:
“In 25% of all motor vehicle crash fatalities, the driver had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.01 g/dL (one eighth the legal limit) or greater, and in 21-year-old drivers, that figure rose to 39%. Drivers with a previous DWI (“Driving While Impaired”) conviction were responsible for 7.2% of all crashes involving alcohol. In comparison, the percentage of road traffic accidents in which one driver tested positive for marijuana ranges from 6% to 32%.”
Moreover, there is a reported difference between driving under the influence of alcohol and driving under the influence of marijuana (Alvarez, F.J. & Fierro, I. 2007). It has been repeatedly suggested that unlike drivers under the influence of alcohol, who have a tendency to underestimate the influence of alcohol on their driving skill, the drivers under the influence of marijuana, despite demonstrable neurophysiologic impairments, have a tendency to overestimate the influence of the drug on their driving skills, thus paying more attention while driving and being significantly more cautious (Sewell, A. R. MD; Poling, J. PhD, & Sofuoglu, M, 2005). Such awareness of ones own impairment has important behavioral consequences. The results of driving and simulator studies conclude that drivers under the influence of marijuana operate vehicles at decreased speed, make fewer attempts to overtake and tend to increase the “following distance”. The very opposite has been reported about driving under the influence of alcohol (Arkowitz &Lilienfeld, 2012).
The other side of marijuana
The supporters of legalization often argue in favor of marijuana by pointing out its medical properties, especially since several states have already legalized marijuana for medical use. There has been research suggesting that marijuana is capable of decreasing nausea and increasing appetite, which is an important medical effect, especially for patients who are having difficulty keeping down food or maintaining adequate nutrition. In some cases, cancer and AIDS patients seem unaffected by drugs that are supposed to boost appetite. Marijuana also relieves sensation of pain, and it has been found that patients suffering from certain types of pain, such as peripheral neuropathy, respond significantly better to marijuana than they respond to conventional pain medication. A psychological impact of marijuana should be mentioned as well, since, besides having a temporary effect similar to those of regular mood-lifters, many patients prefer it to the aforementioned medications, as many of those can be considered narcotic, addictive, or having unpleasant side effects.
However, since medical marijuana is currently deemed illegal under federal law and pharmacies are prohibited from supplying it, it cannot be actually prescribed as a drug. Instead, marijuana can be recommended by doctors to patients when they feel the patients could benefit from it. Doctors recommending marijuana for medical use then write a letter describing the patient's diagnosis and thus justifying the doctor's choice of cannabis as treatment. Since 2003 California allows the state to distribute special ID cards to such patients, which serve the same purpose. Once a patient has a valid recommendation letter or ID card, they can obtain medical marijuana by presenting it at a dispensary, establishments created for the purpose of legal distribution of the drug. Majority of dispensaries is legal, that however varies depending on state and local law, and patients are often left to grow their own supplies for personal use. This partially eliminates influence of drug trafficking organizations, although many critics suggest that many dispensaries obtain marijuana illegally and, furthermore, are accessible to people who don't need marijuana for medical purposes.
Marijuana and legislation
In recent development in Colorado, Governor John Hickenlooper officially added the law that legalizes possession of marijuana to his state’s constitution on Monday December 10, 2012. This new addition to the state’s constitution brings similar set of liberties and restriction as the laws regarding consumption of alcohol. Same as with alcohol, the law applies to people of twenty-one or older, permitting them to grow up to three immature and three mature cannabis plants privately. Citizens can also legally possess all cannabis from the plants they grow, legally possess up to one ounce of cannabis while traveling, and give as a gift up to one ounce to other citizens twenty-one years of age or older (Amendment 64:(3).a, 64:(3).b, and 64:(3).c, 2012). Consumption of marijuana follows the same rules and consumption of alcohol, with equivalent offenses proscribed for driving under the influence.
We have already established that our society accepts use of other addictive substances, such as alcohol or nicotine. Their consumption has been incorporated into the very perception of our culture, and perhaps that is why they are widely accepted, unlike marijuana, despite their potential to be significantly more addictive and harmful. Other than lack of marijuana in our traditional view of acceptable substances, what does really prevent us in legalizing it in all states? Considering the amount of money that alcohol and tobacco tax provides for the government, it is not difficult to imagine tax money could be generated from the sale of cannabis, too. Theoretically, just as public establishments require a license to sell alcohol; similar license could be issued for the sale of marijuana. The alcohol consumption laws are strict and offences harshly penalized and the same set of strict rules could be applied to marijuana so that its misuse could be controlled. In such conditions, should a marijuana dealer fail to follow the license regulations, they would lose their license, just like a pub can lose the license to sell alcohol. Thus, legislation could ensure regulation of marijuana use, protecting public the same way alcohol laws do. As with any other law, given the nature of man, there will always be people that attempt to abuse the system and again, government income generated from taxation of marijuana could be used to create support services and education for all generations, following the same model as the alcohol industry does. Indisputably, an important benefit of legalization and regulation of marijuana trade would be the elimination of current monopoly of criminal organizations trafficking marijuana, as they would not be further needed as a part of the supply chain, reducing their of revenue and limiting resources for further criminal activities.
Conclusion
It seems certain hypocrisy in our society persists, a will to accept traditional substances, such as alcohol or nicotine, yet at the same time to fight against a substance that is potentially less damaging and harmful. Whether we like it or not, marijuana is a widely used drug and although not yet legal, it has become a part of our culture. In penalizing marijuana users, we create an environment in which possession has become a major criminal act, while getting drunk on Friday night is not only acceptable, but often encouraged. I believe we should decide whether to limit the consumption of all harmful and addictive substances altogether, or re-evaluate our current views of marijuana, not in the light of popularized slogans, but in the light of research and scientific evidence, and do the inevitable; accept it for being no worse or better than the substances we already allow ourselves to use.
References
Subramanian, R. (2003) Alcohol Involvement in Fatal Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes. Springfield, VA: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); 2005
Alvarez, F.J. & Fierro, I. (2007) Cannabis and driving: results from a general population survey. Forensic Sci Int., Aug 6;170(2–3):111–116
Robbe, H. & O’Hanlon, J. (1993) Marijuana and actual driving performance. Washington, DC: US Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; 1993.
Arkowitz, H. & Lilienfeld, S. O. (February 22, 2012). Experts Tell the Truth about Pot. Scientific American Mind (March / April 2012).
Sewell, A. R. MD; Poling, J. PhD, & Sofuoglu, M. MD, PhD THE EFFECT OF CANNABIS COMPARED WITH ALCOHOL ON DRIVING. Retrieved February 10, 2013, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2722956/.
Ballotpedia, Colorado Marijuana Legalization Initiative, Amendment 64 (2012). Retrieved February 10, 2013, from http://www.ballotpedia.org
