The discussions around the legality of marijuana have been met by varied reactions depending on the point of view. Many have questioned the rationale behind the move while others have been in support. It is important for experts that the matter is brought to rest, and the dissenting opinions get a middle ground to understand the benefits and possibly the negative effects of marijuana on the society (Elliott, Jennifer and Kate 230-35). The impact of the legality has a direct impact on the endeavors of the members of the society. Several States within the US have been quick to act for marijuana by legalizing the weed. However, other States have been reluctant to take such move and allow its inhabitants to smoke the weed. Despite the fact that some have been critical of marijuana, there are some states that have are still legalizing smoking of marijuana under their guidelines (Elliott et al. 230-35). Many businesses have been set up to serve the legal smokers as a result. They sell different products that are made from marijuana such as the weed cake that is consumed as a cake. There are also juice products made of marijuana which can be consumed as a soft drink. The businesses are booming, and many people still call for other States that have not legalized the weed to follow suit and make marijuana legal.
However, questions continue to be asked as to whether it is justifiable to legalize marijuana. Depending on the point of view, people can project their selfish reasons to support their point of view. As a result, people fail to reach a point of compromise. Due to this fact, certain reasons would make the legality of marijuana harmful or useful to the American society and the world as a whole. Below are some of the pros and cons of this act of legalizing marijuana;
Pros of legalizing marijuana
Boosting revenue
The modern economic issue has been detrimental to the revenue injections of the government. The ever-increasing need to fund development projects has meant that certain measures have to be taken to boost the economy and inject some extra revenue to what is already collected. Contrary to the past, businesses selling marijuana are legally licensed and are tax compliant. Therefore, the sale of marijuana adds extra revenue to the government as the businesses conducting the sales have the responsibility to pay tax. Marijuana has been a popular drug, and its businesses have always existed, though, illegally. It is thus important to note that such trade has led to the loss of billions of dollars as the money goes to the pockets of the drug lords (Elliott et al. 230-35). Such trade has been a killer to the economy of the country. Therefore, legalizing it would best handle the illegal trade and create further revenue to the government.
Reduced fund for organized crime
It is understood that drug lords have been behind numerous incidences of organized crime due to illegally acquired cash that they use to fund the processes for their selfish gains. When marijuana is legalized, there is money coming in the way of the government as many people prefer to buy from legal premises rather than purchase from illegal businesses. Consequently, the illegal traders would have less revenue thus limiting their financial capability. It would further lead to other ramifications such as incapacity to fund illegal processes such organized crime (Mitchell 63). Reduction in the funds would also minimize the extent of violent crime that normally accompanies such trade. Eventually, the lives that is normally lost due to violence. Additionally, it would also reduce the burden on law enforcers who are always entangled in a tag of war with marijuana traders and other criminals under its influence. Consequently, the officer could divert their efforts to fight other crimes that remain nightmare to the law enforcers.
Medical benefits
Despite the issues and debates around the use of marijuana, it is undisputed that it has certain medical benefits to the users. It has been alleged and also confirmed that marijuana is beneficial to patients undergoing chemotherapy. States such as California have been on the frontline to legalize the use of marijuana due to its healing effect on the users. It is also paramount to note that many people suffer from chronic diseases like the cancer disease (Mitchell 63). Therefore, legalizing the use would make people be encouraged to purchase it and consume it just like other legal products thus making it beneficial to their health. Additionally, there is evidence that marijuana has numerous health benefits to the human health. Diseases such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and PTSD are said to be cured by marijuana. It is thus important to legalize the drug so that several people can use it for their purposes of achieving health benefits.
Safety controls
Normally, it is dangerous to buy weed from illegal traders as many usually mix some substances with it to increase its level of addiction so that they can continue being the customers. However, legalizing provides frameworks to control the safety of the drug to users by creating standards of inspection that will ensure it is purely what it is meant to fulfill. Therefore, it is easy to create safety control the measures that will limit the risks instigated by the illegal sellers (Nelson 67-68).
Cons of marijuana
Addiction
The main challenge of marijuana to smokers is normally how to deal with the addiction effects of the drug. Several drugs thrive due to the addiction effects they have on the users. Due to this fact, the users are normally deprived of the free will. They are thus captives of marijuana and many users battle with the adversity of addiction. It has been found that long-term use of the marijuana would lead to addiction (Nelson 67-68). Addiction would result in abuses that lead to withdrawal effects such as irritability and anxiety.
Gateway to hard drugs
As asserted by addiction experts, the use of marijuana would lead to the use of other hard drugs that are detrimental to the health of users. Research indicates that use of marijuana would introduce users to other substances (Greenwell 68-69). On the introduction of other substances, the society would incur additional costs in dealing with such kinds of addiction. When users are at higher risk, illegal substances will find their way easily to their hands thus promoting the trade of drugs. There have been several cases in which the marijuana smokers have become addicts of cocaine
Crime Cases
Marijuana use leads to several criminal activities. Whether legal or illegal, the use of marijuana is normally characterized by violent behavior and appetite for crime. When users owed are virtually under the influence of marijuana are prone to behave violently and criminally (Greenwell 68-69). Therefore, it is important to check on the use of the drug. Also, it would lead to stoned driving which endangers the lives of other users of the road. It is a common behavior to drive at breakneck speeds when one is high and specifically on drugs. Therefore, legalizing marijuana would make such cases rampant.
Conclusion
Legalizing marijuana is both beneficial and detrimental to the society. Its cross-sectional effects are unparalleled and unquestionable. Therefore, the issue should normally be handled with consideration to all the factors involved, both negative and positive. As government looks to fight crime and drugs, it is important to assess the importance and impacts that actions around marijuana would have on the nation and its quest for safety.
References
Elliott, Jennifer C., and Kate B. Carey. "Pros and Cons: Prospective Predictors of Marijuana Use on a College Campus." Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 27.1 (2013): 230-35. Web. 8 Mar. 2016.
Greenwell, Garth T. "Medical Marijuana Use for Chronic Pain: Risks and Benefits." Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy 26.1 (2012): 68-69. Web.
Mitchell, I. "Public Health Benefits from Legalizing Cannabis: Both Sides of the Coin." Canadian Medical Association Journal 188.1 (2016): 63. Web.
Nelson, Bryn. "Medical Marijuana: Hints of Headway? Despite a Conflicted Regulatory Landscape, Support for Medical Marijuana Is Growing amid Increasing Evidence of Potential Benefits." Cancer Cytopathology 123.2 (2015): 67-68. Web.
