There are certain subjects that come up in conversation that are sure to arouse a spirited debate. Politics and abortion are both topics which illicit strong feelings on either side of the argument. There is another debate topic that has been going on nearly as long as the ones mentioned above. That is the idea of the legalizing of marijuana.
For some, it is seen as a lifelong. For others, marijuana is seen as a lesser drug that, when used frequently, will inevitably result in the person progressing to harder drugs. That is because they will always be striving for a better high after smoking grass gets old. With that said, what are some of the pros and cons involved in this debate of legalizing marijuana in the United States.
For those that support the legalization side of the topic, there are numerous reasons that are cited. Many will state that not allowing marijuana in the U.S. is akin to the government getting involved in an issue that should be a personal choice. How do they come up with that logic when the drug is illegal in the country? Well, they point out that marijuana has not been proven to be any more harmful to the system than alcohol or tobacco is. Those two products are not only legal, but also regulated by a government agency.
Perhaps the biggest pro for marijuana being legal is the medical aspect. Though no medical literature will state that weed is a cure for diseases like cancer, there is evidence that it does help in the treatment of this horrible problem. It can lessen some of the painful side effects, not only with cancer, but also things like glaucoma and AIDS. Also on the pro list is a number of legal aspects.
First, supporters believe that legalizing the drug would lead to less crime and violence, especially near the borders. Right now, a lot of money is poured into the supposed ‘war on drugs’, which does not seem to be doing anything to curb violence. If the drug was legalized, smuggling and gun fights would no longer be needed. The only regulation would seem to be who could provide the supply to those who need it. Then there are the financial considerations. Imagine the tax revenue that could be generated, plus the economic aspects, which some say is a $14 billion dollar industry.
Ah, but there are cons, say those who believe that the drug should not be legalized. Whether their reasons stand up to scrutiny is debatable, as some are highly subjective. First, there are the health issues involved. Much like cigarettes, the second-hand smoke problem from a joint could be just as damaging for those nearby. They also allege that prolonged use can be detrimental for a person’s health while also subjecting them to wanting harder drugs down the road.
From a legal perspective, there are those that believe that allowing marijuana to be legal would make law enforcement look like they were soft on crime. In turn, this might cause bad folks to up the ante, seeing what else they could push for. With marijuana out of the loop, perhaps some of these people selling would resort to other crime to keep their habits or money supply going.
Finally, there are some groups that see this as a moral issue. If marijuana was allowed to be legal in this country, it would be another example of the United States turning a deaf ear to the cries of citizens that believe the country needs to have some moral fabric in its code of conduct.