Legalizing Marijuana: Detrimental to Put into Practice

With the onset of states decriminalizing small quantities of marijuana in recent years, New York included, there has been a major drive to completely legalize the substance in all states.  

People and organizations in favor of this drastic and sweeping legislation claim that the negative stigma attached to the drug is to blame for its prohibition, not actual adverse consequences of the drug.  

Some people go as far as to declare that the illegality of marijuana is a government conspiracy meant to keep minorities in jail.  

To dispel these ridiculous accusations, it is crucial to understand why the drug was originally banned and under what conditions.  

Marijuana was banned in the 1930s in a sweep with many other harmful drugs to protect the public from mind-altering substances that could be harmful to mental health.  

The harshness and penalties regarding usage and distribution of marijuana have dwindled into rather lenient consequences since the drug was criminalized.   

During the 1950s, penalties for possession were exceptionally severe and required mandatory jail time of two to 10 years with a fine up to $20,000.    

States began to repeal these laws throughout the 1970s and 1980s, particularly concerning distribution.

But these laws became strict once again and eventually major drug dealers would be sentenced to life in prison, or even death, after three strikes.  

Today, the laws have relaxed on the issue as states like Massachusetts decriminalize marijuana, and national legislation chips away at federal prerogatives to prosecute suspects accused of trafficking large quantities of the drug.  

Although the laws shouldn't be as stringent as they were in the 1950s, we may be blurring the line too thin.  

Marijuana is not the same drug it was 40 years ago.  According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), "Marijuana can be up to five times more potent than the cannabis of the 1970s." 

Many public health officials are concerned that this stronger marijuana may lead to a dramatic increase in addiction rates and may stunt teenagers' mental development and function. 

According to the NIDA,  "A number of studies have shown an association between chronic marijuana use and increased rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation."

In addition, the NIDA noted that "long-term marijuana abusers trying to quit report irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and drug craving, all of which make it difficult to quit."  

Some states now force accused minors to attend drug awareness programs. This is not fair. All states that have decriminalized marijuana should require the same of all offenders.  

With these programs implemented into the legal system, it's hoped that abuse of this substance will dramatically decrease. 

Marijuana is a harmful drug and there is no reason to legalize it if the welfare of the nation is at stake.