why marijuana should not be legalized
Why Marijuana Should Not Be Legalized
The effects of recreational marijuana use are varied, but the health risks are substantial. Marijuana is addictive and affects the respiratory system and mental health. Moreover, drivers who use marijuana while intoxicated greatly increase the risk of being involved in a fatal motor vehicle accident. While legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes might have some theoretical benefits, it would come at the expense of the most vulnerable people. Thus, we must consider the long-term public health impacts of legalization before adopting such a policy. getting ny state medical marijuana card
One major concern with legalizing marijuana is its lack of regulation. Because marijuana grows in dispensaries and is not regulated, it may be contaminated by fungus or mold, which can pose a serious health threat for immunocompromised patients. Further, marijuana contains more than 60 active cannabinoids, only a few of which have been studied extensively. Marijuana growers often bred their plants to contain different levels of various chemicals, including THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.
Legalization would result in a larger number of new marijuana users. Moreover, legalization would not prevent youth from abusing marijuana. Alcohol and tobacco use are heavily regulated, yet legalizing marijuana would not help prevent these problems. Moreover, legalization would increase the rate of marijuana use and marijuana addiction in our country. As a result, it would not be a smart public health policy. The government must focus on educating the public about the dangers of marijuana.
Legalizing marijuana would create a new market for the drug, thus increasing its prices and increasing the black market. The only way to prevent this is to ensure that the supply is regulated, and the adult users can get it from legal sources. But the process of legalization will be accompanied by a variety of restrictions. It is not a panacea for the problem of drug addiction, and should only be a last resort for those who cannot get through the red tape.
Despite the many arguments against legalization, few public figures have remained intellectually honest in their arguments. In fact, most public opposition to legalization comes from non-profit groups such as Smart Approaches to Marijuana, National Families in Action, Institute for Behavioral Health and Hudson Institute. One governmental heavyweight, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, is quick to highlight marijuana’s dangerous effects and disavows any official position on the topic.
Many people are worried about the addiction risk, but studies have shown that marijuana is far less addictive than tobacco and alcohol. The “gateway theory” that suggests that marijuana is more addictive than alcohol or tobacco has repeatedly been discredited. A report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine stated that there is no substantial link between marijuana use and other illegal drugs. Furthermore, marijuana users are unlikely to become addicted if legalized.
Prohibition causes the market for illegal cannabis to flourish. Illegal production of cannabis will keep the market open, allowing more people to consume more harmful drugs. It also puts buyers and sellers at risk of violence. Since there are no legal means to settle illicit sales, criminal actors often resort to violence to expand their turf. Legalizing marijuana for adults will help create tightly regulated systems, where the sales of the drug will be by legitimate taxpaying businesses.