For many years the federal and State lawmakers, together with the residents, have been navigating through the ever-changing policies that define the legal use of marijuana. The policies also involve the form in which they can legally be used. However, the general scientific confirmation of the effect of the policies is broadly believed to be unconvincing. From the scientific and economic point of view, marijuana appears to be having a lot of benefits. Contrary to most people, it appears unethical due to viewing it from a social perspective. This discussion looks into the debates on marijuana legalization in the United States, considering its pros and cons and also giving a stand in view of the qualities of SLU core values.
The history of the United States of America legislation on marijuana is lengthy and complicated. Since 1937, federal law banned the culturing, use, and distribution of marijuana in the country (Bin & Chen, 2020). Since then, the states have been trying out liberalization policies of marijuana. As per the CSA, marijuana has been classified as a Schedule I substance, which means it is determined to have an excellent possibility for abuse and no acknowledged use, hence even ruling out the drug's medical use (Bin & Chen, 2020). Nevertheless, at the State level, there are variations of the use of marijuana in terms of the policies concerning the recreational and medical use of marijuana. The variations in those states conflict with the federal law.
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Marijuana has been legalized in some States for various reasons. Some due to its medical benefits and some for recreational purposes. For medical purposes, marijuana is legalized in 35 States, while 15 States have legalized it for recreational purposes (Bin & Chen, 2020). Also, 16 other States have decriminalized the use of the drug. Furthermore, the distribution of marijuana for commercial purposes has also been permitted in all the States where marijuana has been legitimized (Bin & Chen, 2020).
Polls done in 2017 showed that 52% of American citizens had consumed marijuana at least once in their lives (Vitiello, 2018). Therefore, the legalization of the drug has been justified for several reasons despite the condemnation from various social groups in the country. The reasons range from social benefits, economic and health. The social reasons that influence the legalization of marijuana include one, ban of marijuana is unjustified government invasion into individual right to choose (Vitiello, 2018). Two, marijuana is not harmful to someone's health than tobacco and alcohol, as they are both legal and used under the limitation of the United States food and drug administration. Three, the regarded criminal activity encountered within the U.S and at the U.S-Mexico border is rising due to the illegal buying and selling of marijuana (Vitiello, 2018). Legalization of the drug will put to an end those criminal behaviors.
Economic benefits include creating substantial tax revenues and considerable public savings for the local, State, and the federal government. For instance, California estimated an annual sales of $14 billion. Also, the demand for marijuana for therapeutic purposes is high globally. Therefore, the legalization of the drug for medical purposes will positively impact the United States economy (Liccardo & Rosanna, 2017). Marijuana has also been proven to have medical benefits. The drug can be beneficial for patients with AIDS, glaucoma, and cancer (Liccardo & Rosanna, 2017).
According to (Vitiello, 2018), regulation and legalization of marijuana would enhance the local, State, and the federal government to generate $106.7 billion in a year. On the other hand, the government spends a lot of money in the war against marijuana; perhaps the fund could be regulated by marijuana legalization (Vitiello, 2018).
Despite the pros of marijuana, there is also another side against the legalization of the drug. The reasons main reasons against the legalization of the drug range from social to health reasons. Some people advocate against it from a social perspective because of moral grounds, believing that it is immoral (Vitiello, 2018). Another reason is that consistent use of the drug might lead to harder and more risky drugs such as cocaine and heroin (Vitiello, 2018). Considering health reasons, marijuana is harmful to someone's well-being and health when they use it for a long time. Second-hand smoke from a user also affects the health of other people around them.
Marijuana is also believed to have contributed to users of the drug involving themselves with other criminal activities (Vitiello, 2018). Therefore, disrupting security and also deteriorating social value in society. More so, law enforcement agencies are against legalizing marijuana, not to be interpreted as drug use supporters.
According to (Bin & Chen, 2020) the harm, marijuana imposes on human beings in terms of health and Criminalizing, social marijuana would instead help rather than legalizing it. More people will consume the drug when legalized than when not legalized. According to (Bin & Chen, 2020), many adults in the States where marijuana is legalized are experiencing health disorders than those from States that limit and discourage the use of marijuana. Also, most people who are using marijuana regularly are likely to mishandle themselves when under the influence of the drug, hence reducing social value. Furthermore, when someone is addicted, it may result in behavioral changes such as dishonesty and even crime.
Concerning justice and consistency, legalizing marijuana in some States has affected the people from States where marijuana is not legal. For instance, a person from a State that has not legalized marijuana is convicted for using marijuana, taken to jail. After serving their term, the impact they get after jail term is agonizing. They should have their records censored. The outcome they face is, for instance, such as difficult to vote, obtaining a student loan, getting a job, secure a house, or even maintaining a license. This is irony and injustice considering there are farms in the country that grow marijuana legally, while someone in the same country is going through jail terms and a felony conviction on their records (Bin & Chen, 2020). The government has to be consistent in outlawing or legalizing marijuana.
References
Bin, Y. & Chen, X. (2020). Marijuana Legalization and Historical Trends in Marijuana Use among U.S Residents. BMC Public Health. 13-17. https://doi.10.1186/s12889-020-8253-4
Liccardo, R. & Rosanna, S. (2017). Medical Marijuana and Marijuana Legalization. Medicine and health. 397-415. https://www.doi:10.1146/annualrev-clinpsy-032816-045128
Vitiello, M. (2018). Legalizing Marijuana: Lessons from the United States. Criminal War Commons, Studi Senesi. 16-24. https://schoralycommons.pacific.edu/facultyartcles
