The debate on legalization of marijuana according to the terms of the California Prop. 64 versus those of for recreational use have been in question. Recreational marijuana is a viable argument because the use of marijuana has not been accounted for any death because of overdosing or overuse. The use of marijuana and other hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin has been attributed to the negative observable effects of marijuana. Dealers have been reported to mixing small doses of cocaine and heroin with marijuana which has caused addiction and other detrimental effects associated with their use. Pure marijuana can be used for cooking, in teas, and in consumables without causing harm to the user and those around the user. Restaurants and chefs who are using it have stated that the use will help users move from using hard drugs and reduce alcohol and cigarette intake.
Arguments and Evidence
The current American population has admitted to having used marijuana. More than 40% of the population according to surveys have tried marijuana and a significant percentage of the population are continually using the drug for recreational purposes. A majority of the population consume the drug by smoking while other opt for edibles and others take it in marijuana teas (McGinty, et al. 115). The different modes of consumption make it suitable for consumption and opens new avenues to try new recipes using marijuana as the core component. The use of marijuana in cooking has resulted in a new venture to give people a new means of enjoying the food. The chefs in the field are discouraging the use of alcohol during their events to allow people to explore the cerebral experience of using THC alone without the need for other drugs. This also shows that marijuana is not a gateway drug because it does not push users into using other drugs but can draw them away from using other drugs.
Legalizing marijuana will reduce the crime rates and take business away from drug cartels. The drug cartels who sell the marijuana have been reported to lace the drug with hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin which when smoked together with the THC cause frenzy that can result to violence and other undesirable effects. The exposure to the hard drugs results in addiction and dependency (Anderson and Rees. 230) However, clean marijuana without laced drugs does not lead to dependency and addiction and has more health benefits such as helping a person sleep better and acting as a solution for stress relief. Professionals in different fields have admitted to using marijuana to help alleviate stress and helps them in managing themselves. The difference is that the use of pure marijuana does not have the effects that arise from the one with laced drugs sold on street corners and by cartels.
Marijuana should also be legalized for the medical benefits it offers to different people suffering from different conditions. Aside from its use as a recreational drug, marijuana offers muscle relaxation and reduction of tension for people who have spasms and musculoskeletal problems. The drug also induces an appetite for people with eating disorders and helps boost their metabolism. It is also helpful for the management of chronic diseases such as cancer and HIV/AIDS. Cancer patients often report feeling dizzy after chemotherapy and a dose of marijuana can help them overcome the feeling. Additionally, people with sleeping disorders can use marijuana to sleep better because the drug causes reduction of tension of muscles and causes the feeling of relaxation to help them sleep better, even for shorter hours and they wake up feeling more refreshed and relaxed (Cerdá et al. 24).
The deaths that are caused by drug use have no information on deaths caused by marijuana. A large amount of THC can be assumed to cause death, but there has not been any recorded in history. However, alcohol and tobacco usage are accountable for numerous deaths that occur each year. Therefore, marijuana is safe for use and should be legalized. Statistics from states and countries that have legalized marijuana show that there is a reduction in crime rates and there are fewer addicts in the region because pure marijuana does not cause addiction. Studies have shown that caffeine is more addicting than marijuana which is contrary to popular belief (Cerdá et al. 145).
Conclusion
I am for the opinion of marijuana for recreation. Regulation will open new opportunities for chefs in the field to give people new food experiences for them to enjoy cuisine differently. The legalization will also help reduce the number of cartels and will reduce the chances of drugs being laced with hard drugs. The challenge with marijuana is that it is often laced with hard drugs so that the users are addicted, and the cartels use the addiction as a channel to grow sales. Legalization will ensure that marijuana sold in outlets is free of hard drugs to reduce the negative and undesirable effects associated with its use. Marijuana also does not have any associated deaths as compared to alcohol and cigarettes. The use has no record of personal injury or injury of those around people, but it has results such as improved appetites and sleeping habits.
Works Cited
Anderson, D. Mark, and Daniel I. Rees. "The legalization of recreational marijuana: how likely is the worst‐case scenario?." Journal of Policy Analysis and Management 33.1 (2014): 221-232.
Cerdá, Magdalena, et al. "Medical marijuana laws in 50 states: investigating the relationship between state legalization of medical marijuana and marijuana use, abuse, and dependence." Drug and alcohol dependence 120.1 (2012): 22-27.
Cerdá, Magdalena, et al. "Association of state recreational marijuana laws with adolescent marijuana use." JAMA pediatrics 171.2 (2017): 142-149.
McGinty, Emma E., et al. "The emerging public discourse on state legalization of marijuana for recreational use in the US: Analysis of news media coverage, 2010–2014." Preventive medicine 90 (2016): 114-120.
