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The history of the use of marijuana in the form of medicine and intoxicating drug could be traced back to centuries. However, scholars and policy makers are deeply at odds regarding the legalization of marijuana in the United States. Several studies point to the adverse effects the drug can have on its users. Although Marijuana still lacks FDA approval as a medicinal plant, it is administered on patients suffering from nausea and some other medical conditions. Obviously, legalizing Marijuana involves multiple ethical issues. Many activist groups like Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) have already reported various health risks associated with the use of marijuana. When compared to many other drugs, marijuana’s impact on consumers’ mind and body are of high intensity. Moreover, medicinal effect of the drug has not been well supported yet by any authentic study. Finally, Marijuana consumption has become one of main causes of social menaces in the country. Therefore, legalizing marijuana is not a logic or ethical response to the pertaining social and healthcare scenarios since it involves numerous risks factors.
The major ethical issue is that marijuana lacks reliable clinical trials. It is unwise to administer the drug relying on the experiences of a few. A close look into the issue reveals that the drug gives only temporary relief to the patient. Moreover, once the effect of the given dose diminishes, the condition can be worsened. From an ethical point of view, the use of drug ultimately brings only adversity to the consumer.
Another ethical factor is that marijuana cannot be administered effectively as a medicine. Marijuana plant contains hundreds of chemical substances, and therefore, it not possible to assess the medicinal effect of the plant. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, since marijuana lacks substance consistency, its dose and frequency cannot be determined flawlessly (“marijuana abuse”).
Again, the legalization of marijuana would not bring anticipated level of ‘happiness’ either to its users or to the society. It is true that 14 states have already legalized marijuana. However, it does not justify the argument that legalizing marijuana is a wise decision, because disadvantages of marijuana outweigh its advantages in several respects. To make it clear, reports reveal that the drug dependency can cause impairments like memory loss and permanent brain damage. Also, the uncertainty regarding the drug’s dose or effect increases, because depending on the user’s age and health the drug’s effects vary.
Legalization of marijuana has become an ethical, social concern today. To illustrate, statistics point o the dreadful impact of the proposed legalization policy. There has been alarming increase in marijuana consumption among adolescents and adults in the United States for the recent years. According to The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN)’s estimation, “in 2008, marijuana was a contributing factor in over 374,000 emergency department (ED) visits in the United States” (qtd in ‘Marijuana Abuse’). Also, as per the Reuters report, marijuana has already become the ‘drug of choice’ among the young adults in the United States, and this situation evidently points to the attitude change occurred since the legalization of the drug in many states (“Marijuana use rising in U.S.,.”).
On the contrary, the proponents of marijuana legalization maintain that marijuana consumed in limited quantities would not cause problems. They highlight the situations when patients suffering from acute pain require relief, the use of substances like marijuana is justifiable. Their perception is that the use of the drug by a critically ill patient brings him ‘good’ (happiness), and it does not involve any direct or indirect harm to the society. Some case studies claim that marijuana can “alleviate symptoms of chemotherapy, appetite suppression or muscular dysfunctions of MS and other related diseases” (Stolic, 2009, qtd in Steshyn). There are some other ethical positions the supporters maintain in this regard. They argue that prohibition of this drug is not practical and law enforcement can incur costs associated with it.
. However, legalizing marijuana will have far reaching effects on the society as a whole. It will lead to substance abuse instead of keeping its limits within clinical environment. Marijuana’s continuous consumption will lead to addiction, and this tendency among teenagers and young adults has been already on the rise.
Undoubtedly, unrestricted use of marijuana will increase crime rates and accident rates. Marijuana as a mere substance has the potential to kill people. Also, it is not fair choosing an evil in order to combat another lesser evil. All these factors point to the fact that government must control the use of marijuana with immediate effect since it is a potential issue that can affect the safety of individual and society as a whole.
In order to address the issue from ethical point of view, one has to ask another question also; “what is the objective of the act”? (Here using/legalizing marijuana). Argument in favor of legalization of marijuana does not stand because the major portion of the society is not benefited by the merits of the legality of marijuana. In his context, it is vital to discuss the issue on the basis of ‘The Utilitarian theory. In order for analyzing the ethical acceptability of the legalization of marijuana, two theories , ‘Utilitarianism’ and ‘Social contract theory’ are taken into consideration.
According to the concept of utilitarianism, the principle of utility is the central rule of a right act. To illustrate, the consequences of the act would bring into the world the highest amount of happiness. Hence, in order to act correctly, one should consider all available alternatives. The next step is to analyze the degree of happiness each option would bring. When analyzing this, it is important to consider the degree of happiness that each individual involved in the act gets. On the flip side, the degree of unhappiness the act would produce has to be subtracted from the total amount of happiness produced.
If then, legalization of marijuana does not contribute to the happiness of the majority. It simply supports another concept i.e. subjectivism, according to which “the morally right act (MRA) is the act I (the speaker) approve(s)” (Rachels, Chapter 7). The medicinal use of marijuana may give relief to a small percent of individuals whereas its legalization will negatively affect the happiness of the society in the long run.
The point can be better explained using another theory. Since every individual has some social responsibilities, they should consider if their acts would add to the total cohesion of the society. This is the moral way of approaching a controversial issue. This concept is highlighted in the social contract theory. This theory purports that MRAs (morally right acts) are those acts that comply with the rules essential for social living and a rule that “rational people would agree to on the condition that others agreed to follow the rules as well” (Rachels, Chapter 7). When it comes to the use of marijuana, societies have been historically on contract that marijuana is a substance, the use of which requires restriction.
On the basis of the above stated factors and ethical theory, legalization of marijuana cannot be accepted as an ethical decision. Legalization of marijuana for medicinal or other purposes involves numerous risk factors. Side effects of the drug outweigh its known advantages. The substance has the potential to make people easily addictive to it. Prolonged use can cause physical and psychological problems to individuals. Legalization of the substance can cause several social issues as well including increasing crime rates. Since, legalization of this substance cannot produce higher amount of happiness either to individuals or the society, the decision lacks ethical support in every respect.
Works Cited
“Marijuana abuse”. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Web. 24 Feb 2016 http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/marijuana-abuse/what-scope-marijuana-use-in-united-states
“Marijuana use rising in U.S., national survey shows”. Reuters. (2011). Web. 24. Feb 2016. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/08/usa-drugs-idUSN1E7870N520110908
Steshyn, Jennifer. “An Interdisciplinary Analysis of the Legal and Ethical Issues Regarding Medical Marijuana in the State of Florida?” Legal and Ethical Issues of Medical Marijuana. University of South Florida; ISS 4935. October 29, 2010. Web. 24 Feb 2016. http://legacy.usfsm.edu/academics/cas/capstone/2010-2011/interdisciplinary%20social%20sciences/steshyn-legal%20and%20ethical%20issues%20regarding%20medical%20marijuana%20in%20the%20state%20of%20florida.pdf?from=404
Rachels. Ch7: “The Utilitarian Approach”. We. 24 Feb. 2016. http://hettingern.people.cofc.edu/Intro_Philosophy_SP_2011/Rachels_Ch_7_Utilitarianism.htm
