The legalization of marijuana as stated previously is a highly debated topic. This is due to the solid facts presented by either, i.e., the increased risks of indulgence vs. the economic opportunities it could offer to the issue. All factors considered I hold that marijuana should be legalized, not just for the economic benefits it presents the United States of America, but for the mere fact that cannabis has been in the market for centuries now. And even though it is illegal in the country as a whole, more and more people are using the drug, thereby exposing themselves to the risks and health hazards associated with cannabis. By legalizing marijuana, the country will be better placed in creating awareness among the drug users on the benefits and risks associated with the drug and will be able to formulate a plan or a strategy on how to deal with the risks.
The main reasons supporting this opinion include the fact that the public perception and support for marijuana has increased over time. The community tolerance has leveled up from 12% to 64% today. An interesting point of observation would be the reason behind this acceptance. If the drug were to be as hazardous as other sections of the community or lobby groups would like the society to believe, then it would be expected that these numbers decrease if anything. However, this has been the case because more and more states are legalizing the use of cannabis through heralded vigorous efforts geared towards economic benefits. It is correct to point out that the legalization of marijuana leads to the generation of revenue that boosts the economy. The other way in which the economy stands to benefit is through the creation of employment. There are areas such as research, retail centers, and farming that stand to gain a lot regarding job creation if marijuana is legalized.
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The other reason for my stand is that the risks associated with the use of marijuana are not as pronounced as the society that is against its use would like us to believe. First off, teen use of marijuana has decreased tremendously in states where marijuana has been legalized. This is because according to the psychological element of view, the thrill of the secrecy and danger associated with the drug can be gotten rid of through legalization. So at the end of the day, there stands a society with a reduced prevalence of teen use of marijuana through legalization. On the other hand, the proponents of marijuana legalization cite that with the legalization, traffic deaths and arrests associated with driving under the influence will be reduced. In as much marijuana legalization does not necessarily increase public safety, it improves the phenomenon
The last reason for my opinion on marijuana legalization is based on the medical benefits of marijuana. Medical cannabis, that is, cannabinoids is recommended by doctors for their patients. This is because their use as far as medicine is concerned helps reduce nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy, improves appetite in people with HIV/AIDS, and reduces chronic pain and muscle spasms. Important to note is that the short-term effects of medical cannabis include dizziness, feeling tired, vomiting and hallucinations; these side effects are typical of any other painkiller or chemical drug given to patients. In other words, while the use of medical cannabis greatly helps various patients, the risks associated with the drug are typical of any other. Not reporting unique risks such as medical complications which are typically associated with hard drugs only serves to show that cannabis is a safe drug, contrary to what some section of the society would like us to believe (Hill, 2015). For this reason, therefore, marijuana should be legalized so that it continues to help more people as far as their medical needs are concerned.
The side opposing the legalization of cannabis cited such reasons increased crime rates, loss of focus in studies in the case of teenagers, and increased immorality indulged in when one is high. While all these may be true, the critical thing to note is that these cases are true even in people who do not use marijuana. Take for instance teenagers who come from violent, dysfunctional homes. They tend to be withdrawn and underperformers. Some would also indulge in drugs and alcohol abuse which does not necessarily include marijuana. As far as crime is concerned, not every criminal or gangster uses marijuana as a driving force in their activities. Most of them are driven by peer pressure, and, most importantly, poverty. The last issue on immorality cites marijuana. This may not be true for youths who come from dysfunctional, abusive families, especially in homes where male chauvinism and gender discrimination are practiced. The point of this argument is, many other factors contribute to these vices that are not necessarily marijuana-influenced. The best thing to do would be to advise the youth and marijuana users to be able to make much more informed choices when using the drug. Similarly, it is crucial that when dealing with social vices, the society should adopt a more holistic approach geared towards sensitizing the community on the causes of these vices and how to address them.
The premises against my argument were mostly driven by Conformity Bias and the Horns Effect. Conformity Bias is when the opposing side of my case believed that marijuana should not be legalized, not for the reasons others cited, but for the mere fact that they said it. This was influenced by peer pressure where most observers felt the need to conform to a particular group (in this case the opposing side). The Horns Effect held that cannabis legalization poses a threat to the community as far as the user's health is concerned. By looking at this one negative side, their judgment was clouded thereby refused to see the other benefits the society stands to gain through legalization (Klein, 2014). Personally, my opinion was primarily influenced by my enculturation as a biological science student. Being a biologist, I have had immense exposure in the world of cannabis and have come to realize through extensive research that if used the right way, marijuana has more health benefits than most medicinal drugs. It is based on this knowledge that I strongly advocate for its legalization in America. In as much as it is true that playing the "Believing Game" opened my understanding to the fears of the society as far as marijuana legalization is concerned, it did not in any way alter my thinking or position in the matter. This is because the majority of these fears are mere speculations and uninformed notions, propaganda even, that a few exposed individuals use to influence the society that is not vastly knowledgeable in the aspect of this drug. In fact, by sharing in their opinion, I got to realize just how misled and clouded their judgment is on the topic.
In conclusion, it is critical to point out that it is essential to expose and educate the society of both sides if this topic before they make a strand. This is because as a hotly debated topic, some sections of the public are misguided by other sections that are much more knowledgeable about marijuana thereby banking on their ignorance to push for their own selfish gains. It is crucial that the society is educated so that before they judge, they can do so from an informed point of view.
References
Hill, K. P. (2015). Medical Marijuana for Treatment of Chronic Pain and Other Medical and Psychiatric Problems: A Clinical Review. Jama , 313 (24), 2474-2483.
Klein, G. (2014). An Overview of Naturalistic Decision Making Applications. In Naturalistic decision making (pp. 69-80). Psychology Press.
