Marijuana legalization is a multifaceted and controversial issue that is subject to serious debates and legal battles. Proponents who support legalization of marijuana alleged that it is vital both for medicinal and recreational purposes. Marijuana is deemed to be illegal in the 21st century, and this is ostensibly due to public health concerns and moral reasons (Pacula and Smart 5). Crime and violence are linked to the use of marijuana. Despite the federal regulations, 9 US states have legalized the growth, use, and distribution of marijuana while at the same time many others still debate over the issue.
Proponents of marijuana legalization argue that it needs to be legalized for social reasons. The prohibition is an unwarranted intrusion to the choice and freedom of an individual. Contentions hold that its use is not harmful to the health of a person compared to tobacco and alcohol which are both legalized by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Marijuana has proven to have medicinal benefits to patients who suffer chronic diseases such as glaucoma, AIDs, and cancer (Pacula and Smart 3). Many argue that the rate of violence and crime increase in society for making marijuana illegal and thus the move will logically bring an end to the criminal behavior. Additionally, legalization of marijuana will be a source of revenue to the country through taxation. At the same time, it will eliminate the high cost of expenditure directed towards enforcing the law. Legalization will dismantle the black market and improved quality and safety control.
The problem of the legalization of marijuana matters considering the moral perspective. The use of marijuana is an immoral act and legalization vitally affect society. It is also a subject of concern as the long-term use of the drug culminates in harmful health effects. Taking the drug facilitates the use of other harder and harmful drugs such as cocaine and heroin. Marijuana is addictive, and again the second-hand smoke is a problem to nonusers (Pacula and Smart 14). The concern emanates from the mental health problems as researches indicate that it decreases the flow of blood to the brain, affects lungs and therefore increase health expenditure. Again, its use alters perception and could lead to problems of impaired driving.
Proposed Solution
Comprehensive education on the harmful effects of the drug use will result to harm reduction. Many people take drugs which affect their health because of the lack of understanding to the risk outcomes. The most effective solution is aiming at harm reduction. Dealing with the public health problem should be geared towards harm reduction. It is an appropriate move which denotes to be neutral. This will take a moral stance toward its use while at the same time protect people that take the drug. Educating the public on the health outcomes associated with the use of the drug will impact on harm reduction.
Through decriminalization, the use of drugs remains to be illegal, and those caught will be given a fine. This solution has vitally gained momentum worldwide. The manufacturing and the distribution channels of marijuana will remain to be illegal. A policy to decriminalize will ensure that law is not enforced to petty offenders and will enable the society to abide by the regulations and therefore create a situation of de facto legalization. The legislation will do away with the black market.
Harm reduction has made significant strides in the last few decades and eliminates inherent disadvantages such as criminalization. It, therefore, remains to be the most partial solution. The solution is easy to implement as it does not require legislation. It would be malpractice to argue that marijuana is not addictive. People who have taken the drug vitally understand well how addictive the drug is. Addition to drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and cannabis makes it difficult to give it up. It thus yields a high return on investment as all drug users become willing to moderate and change the habits towards the use of drugs.
Jurisdiction of the Recommendations
It is important to note that the experiment to legalize marijuana has not worked well in places such as Amsterdam. People are alarmed of the increased rate of use among children. As a result, Amsterdam was forced to ban students from taking cannabis (Caulkins and Kilmer 10). More complaints allege that pupils are avoiding classes after taking marijuana. Besides, in Holland, marijuana is legalized, but it is reported that it has unwanted side effects on children who are frequently exposed to the drug in public places (Caulkins and Kilmer 13). Marijuana does not reduce crime as evident in Amsterdam which is reported to have a high crime rate centering on the use of marijuana. Therefore, the laid plans for a solution towards the problem need to be followed to realize a positive outcome.
Open minded instincts should help to foster the proposed solutions as a move to counter legalization. Marijuana is worse than cigarettes to mental health as it tempers with the IQ. Studies show that the users tend to have abnormal brain structure as well as poor memory and it alters the brain which later showcases schizophrenia symptoms (Cooley 7). Heavy use of marijuana in adolescence stage leads to impairments, increases psychotic thought disorders and anxiety (Cooley 6). Solid evidence indicate that marijuana causes birth defects, increased risk of leukemia in children and mental abnormalities. The detrimental health outcomes including lung problems and the terrible impact it has on babies of women that use it give sound reasons why the recommended solution and recommendations need to be implemented.
Works Cited
Caulkins, Jonathan P., and Beau Kilmer. "Considering Marijuana Legalization Carefully: Insights for Other Jurisdictions from Analysis for Vermont". Addiction, vol 111, no. 12, 2016, pp. 2082-2089. Wiley, doi:10.1111/add.13289.
Cooley, Amanda Harmon. "The Impact of Marijuana Legalization on Youth and the Need for State Legislation on Marijuana-Specific Instruction in K-12 Schools". SSRN Electronic Journal, 2016. Elsevier BV, doi:10.2139/ssrn.2710124.
Pacula, Rosalie Liccardo, and Rosanna Smart. "Medical Marijuana and Marijuana Legalization". Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, vol 13, no. 1, 2017, pp. 397-419. Annual Reviews, doi: 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032816-045128.
