LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

Legalizing Marijuana

Legalizing Marijuana

Legalizing Marijuana

Many different answers and arguments come up about legalizing marijuana. We found a lot of different opinions and articles regarding our survey issue. We found out that there were a lot of negative issues why marijuana should not be legalized. We found in the articles that by legalizing marijuana more people will use the drug and become addicted (USASK. pg.1). Another reason stated that marijuana should not legalize because of the health risks that accompany its use. By not legalizing the sale and use of marijuana it will be tougher to purchase the drug. And it will decrease the frequency of its use and the higher of addiction. A decrease means fewer health risks, slow brain functions and the risk of cancer. A lot of things could happen with people associated with the use of marijuana like second hand smoke or being injured in a car accident where the driver was under the influence of marijuana.

On the other hand people stated that marijuana should be legalized for those individuals who require it for medicinal purposes and with a physician's consent. On the positive side of this it insures that people who use the drug for medical purposes, such as pain control have access to it (USASK. pg. 2). It also limits the legal sale of the drug to those who are using it for medicinal purposes, rather than personal use. It also as a prescription drug serves as a source of income for the government. The negative side of this means that doctors may become part of the black market by handing out prescriptions to those who want it rather than those who need it. The negative side of this also means that the use of marijuana as a pain control may cause patients to rely solely on the drug rather than medical treatment.

Another reason why marijuana should not be legalized is that societal implications that may accompany its use. Addicts are willing to spend their entire life savings on purchasing the drug. If marijuana remains illegal fewer people will go into debt to buy the drugs and will decrease the amount the government will pay for the social assistance of these addicts. Also fewer families will become dysfunctional as a result of marijuana use. The article also mentioned that the government should legalize the use of marijuana considering people are using it anyway. The positive side of this means that the government could tax the sale of marijuana and uses this income to lower the national debt. The negative side of this is that there will be an increase in people using the drug and therefore a need to increase rehabilitation programs, which will come at the cost of taxpayers and the government.

Another argument is stating that marijuana should be legalized to those individuals over the age of 18. The positive side of this means it decreases the likelihood of younger children buying marijuana. It also means that those individuals are considered adults and are able ...