The study confronts the different personalities that are affected by the use of Marijuana. The government of the United States is directly influenced by the decision to legalize Marijuana as most effects are directly attached to its operations. For instance, in the changing economy or crime rates, the highest benefit will be the government. However, in terms of any adverse outcomes that crop up from legalizing Marijuana, will immensely affect government operations.
The law and policymakers have for a long time dealt with correcting proposals regarding the issue of cannabis legalization, which has led them to wait for closer analysis of the impacts associated with this legality. The lawmakers act as primary advisors to the government; thus, their decision is very crucial.
The group that is directly impacted is the users of Marijuana. These include the states where it is yet to be legalized since the black market provides for its availability. In instances where its legality affects the price, coverage, or protection, users are the primary influencers. The users are divided into different demographics such as age which prompts the study to focus on previous research based on effects on the physical and mental health of young people. Besides, children and teens are impacted by its use yet only acquire the results passively. They have limited control of the laws that govern the use and distribution of Cannabis; however, seem to suffer the effects.
Should Marijuana Be Legalized in All States
Envisage a situation in which Marijuana is legalized in all states, thus freely used during recreational events and for medical purposes. Expunge a case of medical research among other crucially related uses, will the faction of citizens aiming at supporting a motion of legalizing Marijuana get their legal right? Besides, some citizens confute their legality based on medical complications associated with its use. In instances where the merits outweigh the demerits of Cannabis use, lawmakers may consider legalizing it to enable the States where it is not yet allowed to sell freely. The article aims at analyzing the aspects connoted by various scholars regarding legalizing recreational pot which raises eyebrows with people from different disciplines ranging from the law society to philosophers.
Impacts of Legalizing Marijuana
In an article presented on the state of affairs regarding the lessons learned from the proposals submitted in support of Cannabis legalization, it is evident that there are consequences linked to health, prices, spillovers, and tax revenues (Caulkins, Lee & Kasunic 2012). The results differ at the national and state level. The various States compared give a clear picture that its adoption is characterized by advantages and disadvantages, which are primary determinants to a State before deciding to make Marijuana legal.
Advantages of Legalizing Marijuana
Several studies have been conducted attaching the positive outcomes that can be reaped from legalizing Cannabis. In a bid attempt to look at the need of legalizing recreational pot, procon.org besides other studies, dissipate information regarding merits associated with Marijuana that can be experienced upon legalization. For instance, the illegal nature associated with the marijuana business leaves most peddlers untaxed as procon.org states. The Cannabis industry could exceed $24 billion by 2025 upon its legalization in the U.S. This is made possible by the movement of money from illegal drug cartels to the government stream, thus growing economy (Gardenier, Weber & Brennan 2017). Also, the production of cannabis-related items can contribute to the establishment of industries that can be massive producers of medicinal and recreational-related marijuana products.
This, besides exponential growth in the economy, will result in a surge in employment levels. The lawmakers utilize a significant amount of resources in a bid to curb the spread of using Marijuana which upon legalization can be restrained. Dry weed commoditization will in the long run result in reduced prices of weed as opposed to the free market prices set by peddlers in the street.
The use of Bhang is attached to the black race in the U.S. with a black person attracting arrest at higher levels than a white person. This event is seen to explode in Lowa State, which presents a black person and the Hispanic community with 8.3 times the probability of arrest compared to their counterparts. Besides, this analogy affects the overall treatment of persons, including the availability of housing, financial aid, and jobs. Scholars believe that legalizing Marijuana will attract equity among different races in the U.S.
The safety of consumers is upheld since packaged Marijuana expresses the effects attached to its use. Also, age restrictions are managed by the government, thus reducing incidences of underage usage. The usage of Marijuana has decreased to exponential levels among teens with a recorded drop of 7.3 percent in the years ranging from 2014-2016. In Colorado, where the substance has been legalized for use by adults, teens have reduced their consumption level. The packaging system also allows the associated companies to be compelled to ensure that the product is safe for human consumption as it is regularly subjected to standards inspections.
The ill effects of legal drug substances such as alcohol and tobacco are significant, which include detrimental effects such as cancer, lung damage, arthritis, and heart failure, among other causes. The deaths are associated with alcohol usage; thus, poisoning is rated to approximately six people daily. On the other hand, Marijuana is not associated with any detrimental effects on the health of the consumer; thus, there is zero hindrance to its legalization as proponents seek to argue.
The traffic deaths that were previously on the rise have decreased in the States where cannabis use has been allowed. Procon.org state that motorists under the influence of Bhang tend to be excessively careful, presenting fewer risks than drunk drivers. In a statement provided by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration driving performance is boosted by the use of Cannabis.
Disadvantages of Legalizing Marijuana
Kim & Monte (2016) following the commercialization of Marijuana in Colorado, give an outlook on the apparent contribution of its usage to the emergency department. A correlation was noted with the cases of patients who were admitted to the department. The authors conclude that the observation was primarily linked to the adoption of the use of marijuana usage. As a result, Kim & Monte (2016) appeal for law enforcers and emergency department providers to rectify the situation contributed primarily by marijuana intake and ensure it's focused to foster positive outcomes. The economic benefits are outweighed by societal costs as the money that is collected is used by individuals while paying for emergency services.
Weir (2015) has an in-depth situational analysis of marijuana distribution in the country. This is coupled with the current adolescent characteristic, which is associated with addiction to Marijuana, assuming they are the most affected age group. For instance, in the States where Marijuana has been legalized, there is a vast increase in the number of teens indulging in cannabis consumption. With human brains being in development until the age of 25 when they gain full development, cannabis use can have detrimental effects when used by teens.
Besides passive smoking presents detrimental effects to non-users which includes children. Thus Wang (2016) calls for a need to curb its use, especially by pregnant women and those breastfeeding together with unintentional consumption during medical usage and in recreational events to safeguard the children’s physical and mental health.
Conclusion
Significant disparities are seen as scholars aim at showing the benefits and ills associated with Cannabis use. Owing to the demographic changes in the U.S. in the recent past, marijuana usage has seen a vast usage ranging from teens to adults. This has led scholars to look at possibilities of eventualities that may otherwise arise and compare them with the benefits. However, there is a contradiction in the findings where, for instance, Weir (2015) falls short of attesting to the benefits accrued with legalization. The scholar puts across a disclaimer that seeks to propose a clear understanding of the long-term effects associated with its use with a bias toward adolescents. Also, its availability to people who are underage as stipulated by the government requires protection. This raises the question of whether its legalization boosts or reduces the impacts associated with its use and coverage besides other implications on the economy; thus, more research is required.
References
Caulkins, J. P., Lee, M. A., & Kasunic, A. M. (2012). Marijuana legalization: Lessons from the 2012 state proposals. World Medical & Health Policy, 4(3-4), 4-34. Available at https://scihub.bban.top/https://doi.org/10.1002/wmh3.2
Gardenier, D., Brennan, M., & Weber, L. M. (2017). Should Marijuana be Legalized? The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 13(2), 116-117. Available at https://scihub.bban.top/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2016.12.008
Kim, H., & Monte, A. (2016). Colorado Cannabis Legalization and Its Effect on Emergency Care. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 68(1), 71-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2016.01.004. Available at https://scihub.bban.top/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2016.01.004
ProCon.org. (2018, November 13). Recreational Marijuana. Retrieved from https://marijuana.procon.org/
Wang, G. (2016). Pediatric Concerns Due to Expanded Cannabis Use: Unintended Consequences of Legalization. Journal of Medical Toxicology, 13(1), 99-105. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13181-016-0552-x. Available at https://scihub.bban.top/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2016.01.004
Weir, K. (2015). Marijuana and the developing brain. Monitor on Psychology, 46, 48-52. Available at https://www.apa.org/monitor/2015/11/marijuana-brain