A Comprehensive Analysis: Legalization of Marijuana - Hit or Miss?

This essay provides a comprehensive overview of the legalization of marijuana in the United States, examining its multifaceted impacts. The introduction defines marijuana and highlights the recent trend of legalization in several states, mentioning the psychoactive compound THC. The discussion section delves into both the positive and negative aspects. The advantages include economic benefits like increased tax revenue and reduced black market activity, the potential for medicinal uses in treating various conditions, a reduction in opioid dependency, the availability of better-quality products, and a decrease in crime rates. Conversely, the essay also explores the drawbacks, such as the potential for addiction, second-hand smoke issues, adverse effects on lung health, the gateway drug theory, negative impacts on mental health including memory loss and depression, and impaired driving. The conclusion summarizes the arguments, suggesting that while legalization has benefits, it also necessitates precautionary measures and further research to mitigate potential harms. The essay references several studies to support its claims.

Running head: LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA: A HIT OR A MISS?
LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA: A HIT OR A MISS?
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LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA: A HIT OR A MISS?
Introduction:
Marijuana indicates different dried parts like leaves, flowers, seeds and stems of the
Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant. It is one of the most commonly used drugs in USA.
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the elemental psychoactive chemical of marijuana and
responsible for the intoxicating effects on people. In 2019, 10 states including Washington-DC
have legalized use of marijuana for adults above 21 years (Hingson & Compton, 2014).
However, such legalization has some advantages as well as disadvantages which are elaborated
in the later part of this writing.
Discussion:
Many states of the USA have legalized marijuana for recreational purposes. While this
legalization has some positive aspects, it has got some negative affects too (Monte, Zane &
Heard, 2015). In this paragraph, the positive aspects have discussed. Firstly, it has brought
economic benefits to USA. Its legalization has remarkably cuts down the black market which
was initially the only source of this addictive. Consumers are taxed whenever they buy marijuana
resulting into increase of the tax revenue. Thus, its legalization has incurred white money to the
state. It has increased income through sale as well as taxes. Secondly, marijuana can be widely
used for medicinal purposes. It has huge applications in the treatment of nausea, vomiting, pain
relief, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic pain, anxiety, seizures, inflammation and others
(Compton et al., 2017). The availability of medical cannabis will result into betterment of public
health. Thus there will less expense on the healthcare system. Such funds can be efficiently used

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LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA: A HIT OR A MISS?
in other fields like public safety, conveyance, education department and others. Thirdly, the
legalization causes reduction in the opioid dependency. In states where it is legalized, the
incidents of death due to opioid overdose fall down considerably. Fourthly, legalization causes
availability of better quality marijuana. Before legalization, it was available in poor quality.
Since its consumption was illegal, people was concerned about its availability only and not about
the quality. Legalizing immediately sets yardsticks for safety control as well as quality of it. It
has previously worked for alcohol and tobacco industries and it will definitely jump into
marijuana industry too. Now users know that they will get good quality as they are paying
legally. Fifthly, it has reduced crime rate as marijuana is now legal. Previously individuals taking
marijuana were treated in the same manner as if they have taken cocaine, meth, heroin. As a
result, police and courts were over burdened with marijuana cases. Now both of them can
concentrate on other serious crimes.
Like every coin has two opposite sides, marijuana also got opposite sides too. Besides
advantages, it has got many drawbacks too. They are enumerated in this part. First and the
foremost disadvantage of the legalization of marijuana is marijuana causes addiction. Now
scientists have two types of opinions in this regard. According to a category of scientists,
marijuana will not be a strong addictive like heroin or cocaine but other category believes that
one out of ten may develop serious quitting symptoms like anxiety, nervous breakdown or
irritations. Secondly, marijuana may cause second hand smoking issues (Springer &
Glantz,2015). It has same effects as of passive smoking. Many states have restricted consuming
marijuana in public places to combat passive smoking. Thirdly, smoking marijuana has serious
affects on lungs. People are concerned with cigarette smoking only but they are not bothered
with marijuana. The latter has more serious impact on the lungs of the consumers as it can result

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LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA: A HIT OR A MISS?
into lung cancer. Thirdly, marijuana is often regarded as a getaway drug. Getaway drugs are
those that lead naïve consumers to experience harder drugs (Barry et al., 2016). One who got
addicted to marijuana may opt for stronger drugs like cocaine, heroin and others. Fourthly,
marijuana affects mental health of the consumers. Prolonged use of this particular drug may
result into disrupted supply of blood to the brain which can cause memory loss, depression and
even schizophrenia. It also affects the concentration power of its consumers. Hence, further
research in this aspect is needed (Quinn & Belohoubek, 2016). Fifthly, it causes changes in
perception which may lead to impaired driving resulting into accidents. Driving under the effect
of marijuana is same as that under alcohol. Hence, driving after consuming marijuana should be
treated as a crime and there should be strict punishment for it.
Conclusion:
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that legalization of marijuana is not a bad
step by the US Government as it has many positive aspects. However, along with its legislation
some additional precautionary measures are to be taken so that the negative impacts can be
curtailed. Some extra measures like limited use of marijuana in medicines, prohibition of driving
after its consumption can be implemented. More research works and experiments must be done
by the scientists and research departments to know the future affects of marijuana.

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LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA: A HIT OR A MISS?
References:
Barry, A. E., King, J., Sears, C., Harville, C., Bondoc, I., & Joseph, K. (2016). Prioritizing
alcohol prevention: Establishing alcohol as the gateway drug and linking age of first drink with
illicit drug use. Journal of school health, 86(1), 31-38.
Compton, W. M., Han, B., Hughes, A., Jones, C. M., & Blanco, C. (2017). Use of marijuana for
medical purposes among adults in the United States. Jama, 317(2), 209-211.
Hingson, R., & Compton, W. M. (2014). Screening and brief intervention and referral to
treatment for drug use in primary care: back to the drawing board. JAMA, 312(5), 488-489.
Monte, A. A., Zane, R. D., & Heard, K. J. (2015). The implications of marijuana legalization in
Colorado. Jama, 313(3), 241-242.
Quinn, D. S., & Belohoubek, Z. C. (2016). Should the US Legalize Cannabis?.
Springer, M. L., & Glantz, S. A. (2015). Marijuana Use and Heart Disease: Potential Effects of
Public Exposure to Smoke. University of California at San Francisco. April, 13.