It is one of the hottest topics when regarding the war on drugs, illegal substances and the things we are allowed to pollute our bodies with. It is a battle constantly fought in state after state in the US and has resulted in the reclassification of the drug in the UK.
As with any legal reform, there are pros and cons for the idea that marijuana should be legalized.
It is one of the hottest topics when regarding the war on drugs, illegal substances and the things we are allowed to pollute our bodies with. It is a battle constantly fought in state after state in the US and has resulted in the reclassification of the drug in the UK.
As with any legal reform, there are pros and cons for the idea that marijuana should be legalized. Outlined below are just a few of these:
PROS
Socio-Economic Benefits to the Country
You only have to take a look at both cigarettes and alcohol – what are essentially classed as legal drugs – to see how much the government could stand to make in taxes by making marijuana a legal substance sold in shops.
In addition to this, there would be a rise in employment due to the legalisation of cannabis farms, as well as more jobs created along the production, distribution and retail ends of things. This in turn would boost the economy in the country, with lower unemployment and higher consumer spending.
Drive Out Drug Dealers
If marijuana was a legal substance able to be purchased in shops, there would be no need for individual drug dealers to sell. This has huge benefits on different levels. Firstly it would reduce organised crime and drug dealing gangs. Secondly it would allow the price of marijuana to be regulated and affordable. Thirdly, it prevents marijuana being used as a gateway drug by illegal drug dealers who would no longer have any need to sell the substance.
Medicinal Purposes
There have been countless studies across patients with differing illnesses, leading to the outcome that marijuana does in fact have medical benefits. Whilst it won’t cure your cold or fix your broken arm, it does offer pain relief and is considered helpful especially to those who have recently undergone chemotherapy.
CONS
Gateway Drug
Whilst considered one of the least harmful illegal drugs available, marijuana is often considered to be a gateway drug to other more deadly illegal substances. Rather than the marijuana itself being at fault here (it doesn’t alter peoples willpower or opinions on Class A drugs), the problem lies with drug dealers themselves, who use the marijuana as bait to then persuade users to try harder drugs. This is often what leads to addictions amongst teenagers. Although there have been no recorded deaths from marijuana alone, it is seen as a contributory factor in the deaths of those from heroin, cocaine and meth overdoses.
Misuse
As with any substance – legal or illegal – there will always be people who misuse it. Whether it’s somebody who’s getting permanently high on marijuana just because they can (much like many alcoholics do now), those who don’t know their limit and choose to drug-drive, or those who choose to use the substance under the legal selling age, there will always be people who bend the rules no matter how legal a substance is. This then adds to the already mounting pressures of finances on places like drug rehab centres, much like there is with alcohol therapy and rehabilitation charities and centres at the moment.
These are of course not all of the benefits and arguments against the legalization of cannabis. They are however usually the most voiced opinions, though new studies, tests and debates are consistently being carried out or trialled. But no matter what side of the fence you’re on, due to the lack of overwhelming arguments on any one side, the debate over whether or not marijuana should be legalized is something which looks set to continue for the foreseeable future.