There are laws in many countries, which control the use of cannabis. The plant is one of the most controlled plants in the world. In addition, one has elicited great debate. In western countries, marijuana is either legal or largely tolerated despite legal restrictions while in the East trafficking is punishable by death. This difference in restriction of bang is attributed to cultural differences and legal frameworks. This paper will address the pros and cons of legalizing the use of marijuana by separating cultural perceptions from the debate surrounding the drug.
Marijuana is among of the most popular names for a drug made from Cannabis sativa. Other names used to describe the same drug are weed, pot, or grass. The plant, believed to have originated in India, has psychoactive properties. The active ingredient in cannabis is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is the strongest psychoactive compound. The drug also contains other chemical components such as cannabinol (CBN), cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) which affect the sensory system (Law & Legislation, 2011).
Cannabis has been used by humanity for a very long time. The earliest recorded incidence is as far back as 3rd millennium BC. The plant was then used for medicinal, spiritual, and even recreational purposes. The drug was widely used until the early parts of the 20th century when many countries introduced legal restrictions and prohibition. Since then, many countries have not revised their laws to allow free personal use. Most countries still have strict laws prohibiting cultivation, production, possession, transfer and consumption of cannabis (Bruce D. J. et al, 2008).
Despite being illegal in most countries many people still consume the drug. The United Nations estimated that 162 million adults consumed cannabis annually in 2004 (Bruce D. J. et al, 2008). This represented 4.0% of the adult population of the world. About 22.5 million people use marijuana every day (Bruce D. J. et al, 2008). Legal regulation and restrictions have not completely eradicated recreational use of marijuana. The drug is easily available in the streets in many countries. This is because it is not considered as potent as other hard drugs like cocaine and heroin. The most common legal use of marijuana is for medicinal purposes. The drug is used in palliative treatment of cancer and nausea symptoms in AIDS patients (Reichbach, 2012). Marijuana is also a viable industrial raw material. The plant can be used to make fiber. There are about 25,000 registered products made from the cannabis plant (Reichbach, 2012).
In recent times, there has been a lot of lobbying for the legalization of cannabis. The proponents of this move argued that marijuana had fewer side effects than cigarettes and alcohol, which are accepted as legal substances. Those against cannabis hold on to the argument that the drug is gateway many social ills such as criminal activities. Some states in the USA and the Netherlands have revised their laws to allow controlled recreational and medicinal use of marijuana (Bruce D. J. et al, 2008). Other countries especially in Asia and Arabic states hold onto very severe laws, which have a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment in the event of conviction for trafficking.
Before joining the debate concerning the legalization of marijuana, it is important to understand the health effects of marijuana use. This is because most legal restrictions are on personal consumption and opposed to medicinal or commercial use. The potency of the mind altering active ingredient THC is dependent of factors such as the species of the plant, soil, planting weather and the time the plant was harvested (Law & Legislation, 2011). The cultivation techniques presently used have helped increase the level of THC by up to ten times the levels in 1970. This more potent cannabis produces a stronger mental and physical effect and stronger side effects in the end.
After smoking marijuana, THC, which is the active ingredient, is absorbed by body tissues, which it causes an increased heart, beat, and pulse rate. The eyes also tend to become bloodshot while the mouth and throat dry up. The drug induces an effect of happiness and relaxation, which is what most smokers look for. Other effects include short-term loss of memory, lower concentration and loss of sense of time. Long-term heavy use of marijuana causes psychological dependence and physical addiction. Research has also shown that marijuana smoke could cause lung cancer just like tobacco. When marijuana is consumed in pregnancy, it could lead to low birth weight and premature birth. Other studies have indicated loss of fertility in both men and women (Reichbach, 2012). Prolonged use induces a state of burn out in marijuana smokers. In this state, they are usually not aware of their physical surroundings and have no ability to recognize this problem. These health effects are associated with heavy prolonged use of marijuana. However when marijuana is consumed moderately, it is a safer drug than tobacco and alcohol which are legally accepted drugs.
Reasons why Marijuana is Illegal
Marijuana is currently illegal or controlled in many countries because it is believed to be the precursor to the use of harder drugs. Many consumers of marijuana start as curious teenagers who seek fun from the drug, which is relatively cheap and available. In a quest to achieve greater mental and physical they mix marijuana with tobacco or prepare it into weed cakes and brews (Law & Legislation, 2011). With time, consumers become hardened and require marijuana together with other drugs such as cocaine, heroin, amphetamine, and alcohol. Marijuana is therefore banned because it creates the need and therefore a market for other banned substances.
Marijuana causes impaired reasoning which could cause victims to drive or operate heavy machinery while under the influence of the drug. This poses a lot of risk to the user as well as other people who could become victims of accidents that could occur (Rosalie, 2005). Marijuana users can also become impulsive and commit other crimes such as assault, rape, and robbery to sustain their addiction
Many people have been arrested and charged for various cannabis related crimes. This is because the law most countries prohibits planting, production, trading and consumption of marijuana. By incarcerating most of these people, the streets are rid of individuals who could have committed other crimes. The streets are therefore safer because these people are in government custody or out or strict parole terms. Most convicted felonies have been found to have drug addiction issues, which related to their inability to make better decisions and avoid crime.
The drug has many physical effects, which have been ignored or down played in order to boost the campaign to legalize marijuana. Abuse of marijuana has been associated with brain cell degradation, lung damage that could lead to cancer, difficulty in concentrating and undertaking productive activities. The drug is therefore banned in order to protect citizens from its negative effects.
The side effects of tobacco are widely known and supported by numerous researches. This is because tobacco is accepted as a drug of choice by many. Since marijuana is banned, it is not associated with the same side effects that cigarettes are associated. Since marijuana is majorly ingested through smoking, it possesses similar secondary smoking risks associated with tobacco smoking. The common perception that bang is a no victim drug is therefore wrong and ill informed. The families, friends, and even neighbors of regular smokers are at risk of addiction and other associated effects.
The biggest fear for anti-legalization campaigners is that it could open doors for users of other hard drugs to lobby for legalization of their drug of choice. Society is slowly but surely moving towards greater persona; freedoms and the right to decide for one what is right or not. The current campaign for legalization of marijuana is being driven by this need for greater personal determination. Many authorities are slowly giving in by approving legislation that is more flexible and reducing prison terms. They are also considering allowing medicinal use of marijuana and personal growing of the crop, which is limited by plant number. This deliberate movement towards legalization has many worried that soon; similar measures will be put in place for harmful drugs such as cocaine.
Reasons for legalizing Marijuana
The proponents of legalizing marijuana argue that there are more benefits to legalizing the product than many governments are willing to acknowledge. Billions of dollars are spent annually in the battle against marijuana. The United states, several agencies have been put in place wage the war against drugs (Ingersoll, 2008). The FDA and the DEA are such agencies, which require manpower who are paid salaries and millions of dollars in facilities and equipment (Ingersoll, 2008). Those arrested and convicted cost the taxpayers millions in prison costs and free legal representation in court. All these costs could be avoided if marijuana was legalized. The jails, which are currently congested by small recreational offenders, will be used for other more serious crimes. The resources used to pursue these offenders will be channeled towards more pertinent security concerns.
The government should instead regulate the use of marijuana in order to protect its citizens especially children from abuse. Taxation is one of the methods by which government can control the distribution and consumption of marijuana while earning revenue to run its services to the citizens. The money could be appropriately channeled towards better peer education for young school going children and better rehabilitation of addicts. Legalization would also eliminate drug dealers and cartels who often engage in other drug related criminal activities such as drug wars and gun violence (Ingersoll, 2008). It is widely believed that terrorists often use drugs as an avenue to make money. Legalizing marijuana would deny them one source of income thereby making them less powerful. Industries, which use cannabis as a raw material, will also be able to fully utilize the product without fear. The plant, which has 25,000 known products, will become economically viable (Ruschmann, 2010). This will result in job creation through employment. The government will gain through licensing and taxation.
Prohibition of marijuana has not helped in the reduction of the use of the drug. Trade in the drug is controlled by cartels and drug dealers who are more concerned about money and not the safety of their buyers. This means that children can readily buy the drug while it is harder for them to buy alcohol, which is legal. A survey conducted in 2009 to monitor drug use found that there is more tolerance of the drug among children (Anonymous, 2004). The study conducted by National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 16.7 million people in America aged 12 and above consumed marijuana at least once a month before the survey (Anonymous, 2004). Consumption of marijuana among young teenagers aged 12 to 17 rose from 6.7% in 2008 to 7.3% in 2009. Similar patterns were also recorded among adults aged 18 to 25. Marijuana used increased to 18.1% in 2009 from 16.5% in 2008 (Katel, 2009). Psychologists have also presented several theories to explain the desire to seek prohibited objects. The Forbidden Fruit theory explains the effect derived from the biblical story in which Eve ate a forbidden fruit. The theory explains the desire in humans to seek items or objects, which they have been denied. Prohibition alone as a tool to control people is not effective (Katel, 2009). Proper education and information are more effective in enabling people to make better decisions.
The choice to use any recreational drug is usually personal. When an individual makes the choice to drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes, they often know the side effects associated with the substances. Cigarettes and alcohol are accepted recreational substances not because they are safe but because it is believed that adults will practice moderation while consuming them. This is the same argument that has been used to push for the legalization of marijuana. Adults should be allowed to decide whether they should use the drug or not. The government should undertake to protect children from exposure to such drugs and prevent adults from breaking the law while indulging in their drug of choice (Ruschmann, 2010).
Conclusion
The debate on whether to legalize marijuana or maintain current legal status continues to rage. Many governments are torn between allowing personal freedoms and maintaining a legal position held to protect the interests of the majority. In the USA, the public had showed opposition to legalization in opinion polls. This is however slowly changing. Public opinion is currently split in half on this issue. More people are softening their stance on marijuana are becoming open to its legalization. The government should ensure that all legal decision on this matter should find a balance between personal freedom and the interests of the public.
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