The legalization of Marijuana is a controversial topic that often sparks heated debates between those who support it and those who oppose it. Supporters claim that the drug should be legalized as an alternative to alcohol, whereas opponents point out the potential harm done by marijuana use to individuals and society. In this blog post, we will discuss some reasons why you may want to think twice about legalizing marijuana.
Pros and Cons of Legalizing Marijuana
Marijuana is a drug that has been legalized for medical use in some states and countries. It is controversial because of its potential to cause harm, including addiction and withdrawal symptoms, mental health problems such as depression or anxiety, and physical health problems such as lung cancer. In this section, we will discuss the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana.
Pros:
- Potential medicinal benefits – smoking it rather than taking pills can help with nausea or pain relief from other illnesses like arthritis or multiple sclerosis.
- Marijuana legalization could reduce crime rates by eliminating the black market for drugs.
- Reduced risks associated with a drug overdose.
- Legalization could also lead to lower prices by removing the cost imposed by a black market, making it more affordable for people to use.
- Marijuana has also been known to help with ADD/ADHD, eating disorders, glaucoma, and asthma.
Cons:
- Potential health consequences – marijuana smoke contains carcinogens similar to those in tobacco which could lead to lung cancer.
- It is also linked with mental health problems such as depression or anxiety, especially when used heavily by teenagers who are still developing their brains.
- Marijuana dependence – around 30% of users report withdrawal symptoms if they stop using it suddenly. These can include irritability, panic attacks, loss of appetite, and sleep problems.
- Marijuana is also linked with an increased risk of psychotic symptoms in otherwise healthy people who would not have developed them without the drug use. While this may seem like a small percentage (around 0.05-0.07%), it means that around 50,000 young adults could be diagnosed with psychosis every year due to cannabis consumption.
- Marijuana has been found to cause cognitive impairment when used regularly in adolescence or young adulthood.
- People who use marijuana are more likely than non-marijuana users to develop psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and mood disorders.
- Many of the benefits of smoking marijuana are outweighed by the negative effects on an individual’s health such as cancer or respiratory problems that can result from regular smoking.
- Legalizing marijuana would lead to an increase in drug addiction and dependency issues, as well as crime rates which can be problematic for society at large (e.g., higher insurance premiums).
Marijuana legalization would not only have consequences for the individual using it, but also for society. Legalizing drugs like this may increase crime rates due to the creation of a black market that will appeal to younger users. Legalization could also lead drug prices down, making them more readily available for those who are unable or unwilling to purchase them illegally. Furthermore, legalizing marijuana would have an effect on society at large by potentially increasing addiction rates and causing physical health problems such as lung cancer and cognitive impairment.
The decision to legalize marijuana is a controversial issue that should be approached with caution, as it may have both positive and negative consequences for the user and society at large. Though legalizing drugs like Marijuana may seem beneficial in some ways because of its medicinal benefits or lower crime rates due to taking away the black market, there are also potential health consequences and increased dependency and addiction rates.
Conclusion
Marijuana is a dangerous drug that has caused many people to become addicted and develop serious health problems. Marijuana users often experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using it, which can make quitting difficult. Some studies have shown marijuana use can lead to an earlier onset of schizophrenia in individuals who are genetically predisposed to the disorder. Legalizing marijuana could have detrimental effects on society as a whole because more people would be able to buy this addictive substance from licensed dealers or grow their own organic cannabis plants at home.
