(APA style used)
Introduction
This essay discusses the issue of the possible legalisation of marijuana (also commonly called cannabis), in the context that some Australian states are currently more tolerant than others in respect of its use. Essentially, the opinion expressed in this essay is that cannabis should not be legalised, on the basis that the disadvantages and dangers of legalisation far outweigh any suggested advantages and so-called “valid reasons” put forward by those who mistakenly support legalisation.
Some Facts About Marijuana (Cannabis)
According to “Cannabis and the law” a factsheet published by the National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre (last updated February 19, 2013), “It is illegal to use, possess, grow or sell cannabis in Australia, but the penalties for cannabis offences are different in each state and territory.” For example, possession of a “small amount” of cannabis may incur a $50 fine in some states, but in other states would be considered as a criminal offence and as a consequence could result in a large fine or even a prison sentence. In certain states, possession of small amounts for own use is not a criminal offence – it has been “decriminalised.” That in effect means that it is subject to civil rather than criminal penalties (rather like speeding in your car). However, decriminalising possession has not made it legal. If it were made legal, cannabis would be then considered as a legal drug, the same as, for example, alcohol or tobacco. The factsheet listed Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Northern Territory as the three states that have decriminalised the growing or possession of small amounts of cannabis. In all other parts of Australia, it has not been decriminalised, so could result in a criminal conviction, although most states operate so-called “diversion programs” that rather than punish small-time users, use programs that try to steer them away from drugs use. However, it should be noted that the authorities have discretion on whether to fine the offenders or choose the diversion program option instead.
The effects of using cannabis were detailed in another factsheet; this one simply entitled “Cannabis” and published by the New South Wales Ministry of Health (updated June 2011). The factsheet explained that the chemical THC (tetra hydro cannabinol) is the ingredient in cannabis that makes the user feel “high.” Smoking the drug causes THC to rapidly enter the bloodstream, via the lungs, and thence into the brain. These effects can occur within minutes and can endure for up to five hours. Eating cannabis results in not only a longer delay for the initial effects (as it has to enter the bloodstream via the stomach) but the effects – including hallucinations – also are longer lasting. Once the THC is absorbed into the body, it can remain there for as long as a month. The same factsheet also explained that the effects of consuming the drug are dependent on a number of factors including: quantity, strength, frequency and method of consumption (smoking or eating); the user’s age and physique; experience and tolerance of the drug; whether it is taken on its own or with other drugs such as alcohol; and – interestingly – whether it is consumed when alone or in company with others. In terms of the perceived effects when taking small amounts, the factsheet listed numerous effects, of which the happy feeling is a “positive” one, but there are several more negative effects such as dryness of the mouth, eyes and throat, difficulty in concentrating or remembering, increased heart rate, possible breathing difficulties, poor coordination and balance, anxiety, and paranoia. If larger amounts are consumed, those negative effects are exacerbated and results can include vomiting, confusion, blackouts, hallucinations, and more. Further, according to the factsheet, long term use of cannabis can bring on numerous health problems including “bronchitis, lung cancer and other diseases of the respiratory system.” It can also cause depression and other problems and an increasing likelihood of dependency. Driving under the influence of cannabis is also dangerous.
Why It Should Not Be Legalised
There is ample evidence that cannabis (marijuana) should not be legalised. An article entitled “Why Cannabis should not be legalised” opened with the general statement that “legalising cannabis would be extremely detrimental to Australia’s public health and would also send a strong message to the Australian community that this drug is safe to use.” The article then listed the reasons provided to support that statement:
- Global medical opinion confirms that using cannabis is linked to “psychosis and schizophrenia.” This can lead to chronic conditions for those who began using cannabis as teenagers.
- Cannabis-linked mental illness has connections with crimes of violence (including within families) and suicide.
- Pregnant women using cannabis increase the risks of miscarriage, birth defects, foetal defects, and detrimental effects in the newborn infants including longer term development and behaviour problems. Kenny (2002) also referred to it as potentially causing a rare form of leukaemia in infants born from a marijuana-using mother.
- Drivers under the influence of cannabis are seven times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident, and experience slower reaction times.
- Cannabis has not been proven to have any greater medicinal benefits than can be obtained from approved pharmaceutical remedies. Also, the complex toxic properties of cannabis mean that it does not meet the Australian medical standards requirements.
Another article – this one focused on Colorado (USA) – provided reasons for not legalising marijuana that are also valid in an Australian context. Entitled “Top 10 Reasons Not to Legalize Marijuana” (November 2011), reasons included the following:
- Studies have demonstrated that businesses would be negatively affected by increased absenteeism, reduced productivity, worsened punctuality, and more industrial accidents as a result of a marijuana-using workforce.
- The tax revenues earned by legalising the drug would not cover the increased costs to the medical infrastructure (including addiction treatments), the increased costs of crime, the greater number of traffic accidents, the wastage due to more school dropouts, etc.
- An estimated 200 to 300 percent increase in marijuana users is likely in the age range 12-25, the most vulnerable population group. That increase would also have a dramatic (negative) effect on educational achievement by the large numbers of school age regular users.
Stimson (September 2010) writing for an American “think tank” organisation called the Heritage Foundation, published an article entitled “Legalizing Marijuana: Why Citizens Should Just Say No.” In addition to pointing out the weaknesses and fallacies in the claims made by pro-legalisation supporters, Stimson’s article emphasised that marijuana, though technically a “soft” drug (unlike heroin or cocaine), is more closely aligned with those “hard” drugs than it is with alcohol, and is much more likely than alcohol to induce addiction. Further, whereas long term moderate alcohol consumption offers few risks to health, the same cannot be said for marijuana, which can cause a range of health problems, many serious and life threatening, as mentioned earlier in this essay. Stimson quoted the British Lung Foundation as stating that “smoking three or four marijuana joints is as bad for your lungs as smoking twenty tobacco cigarettes.” Also, he mentioned a Canadian study that stated ammonia levels in marijuana smoke were as much as twenty times that in tobacco smoke, and that hydrogen cyanide in marijuana smoke was between three and five times higher than in tobacco smoke. He summarised the marijuana / alcohol comparison by stating that the two substances were different in five important respects: “addictiveness, toxicity, health effects, and risk of intoxication.” Although his article was focused on California, Stimson mentioned Australia in regard to marijuana and crime when stating that circa 60 percent of arrested persons were marijuana users. He also mentioned one of the major concerns regarding marijuana – that “it is a gateway drug that can lead users to more dangerous drugs.” Echoing that last comment of Stimson’s, Zive (2010) expanded on the statement in her article “Marijuana should stay illegal.” She stated that not only will regular marijuana use cause more people to become drug addicts, it will “harm their brains, lungs, and hearts.” She also noted that after a smoking session, the user will experience difficulty in recalling what he/she was doing beforehand. Also, the smoking will cause a major increase in heart rate (up to 100 percent) with a consequent increased heart attack risk, plus a much higher probability of respiratory complications.
Conclusions
Overall, it is clear that marijuana (or cannabis) should not be legalised. The sheer scope and importance of the reasons given to support that position far outweigh any flawed arguments in favour of legalisation of the drug, which though technically a “soft” drug, is nonetheless addictive and can lead users on to become “hard” drug users. It seems that discouraging increased drug use rather than encouraging it by legalising cannabis has to be the sensible way forward for Australia.
References
“Cannabis.” (updated Jun 2011). The New South Wales Ministry of Health. Retrieved from http://www0.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/drugandalcohol/marijuana.html
“Cannabis and the law.” (Revised Feb 2013). National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre. Retrieved from http://ncpic.org.au/ncpic/publications/factsheets/article/cannabis-and-the-law
Kenny, G. (Updated January 2002). “Why Cannabis Must Remain Illegal.” Drug Watch International. Retrieved from http://www.drugwatch.org/Cannabis%20Illegal.htm
Stimson, C. (Sep 2010). “Legalizing Marijuana: Why Citizens Should Just Say No.” Heritage Foundation. Retrieved from http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2010/09/legalizing-marijuana-why-citizens-should-just-say-no
“Top 10 Reasons Not to Legalize Marijuana.” (Nov 2011). Healthy and Drug Free Colorado. Retrieved from http://www.healthydrugfreecolorado.org/html/Top10ReasonsNottoLegalizeMarijuana.pdf
“Why Cannabis should not be legalised.” (Jul 2007). Drug free Australia. Retrieved from http://www.drugfree.org.au/resources/news/shownews/article/why-cannabis-should-not-be-legalised/
Zive, C. (Dec 2010). “Marijuana should stay illegal.” Eastside. Retrieved from http://www.eastside-online.org/opinions/marijuana-should-stay-illegal/
