“The vast majority of marijuana users never progress to using other illicit drugs, or even to becoming regular marijuana consumers.”
One of today’s most controversial debates surrounds the usage of marijuana; both medically, and recreationally. Ever since the so-called “War on Drugs” began under the Clinton administration, drug use has been seen as a dangerous and strictly speaking, criminal. But with the rise of the millennial era comes more toleration, and now, state by state some drugs are being legalized. While the federal government upholds stricter drug laws, some ask how our government should oversee drug usage, specifically the use of marijuana. Many states have voiced their beliefs through the ballot, and that means the government needs to tolerate the drug, and not restrict the voter.
Before states passed measures tolerating the using use of marijuana recreationally, the question in dispute was about medical usage. Ethan Nadelmann, JD and Ph.D. executive director of Drug Policy Alliance claims that the vast majority of marijuana users, “never progress to using other illicit drugs, or even to becoming regular marijuana consumers.” In fact, marijuana is in medical use not only because it isn’t addicting, but also because it can be very helpful. Cancer patients who go through chemo and radiation often use medical marijuana to increase their appetite and gain strength after heavy procedures. According to the National Institute on Drug Use, just 9% of people who use marijuana become dependent on it. In their article on marijuana usage, Maren Shapiro shines some light on why there’s so much controversy surrounding the ‘dangers’ of marijuana. Shapiro explains how a report by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration ranked controlled substances on the schedule of highest potential for abuse, and marijuana made the “most dangerous” list. But because they are legal, substances such as tobacco and alcohol didn’t make the list, even though “compared to potential death… Marijuana was, by far, found to be the safest”. It’s not that marijuana is the most harmful, but rather, the harmful abuse substances are left out, bumping a much less harmful substance to the top of the list.
With many states such as Colorado and California legalizing the use of marijuana, both medically and recreationally, it seems cannabis is a growing industry. But that might not be a bad thing. According to Alicia Wallace’s report on cannabis in Colorado, “marijuana sold in Colorado stores was grown and packaged in Colorado by companies that employ local labor, pay rent, and hire security companies”. This isn’t crime, but a growing industry which can even be “economically beneficial to a state or a community”. But unfortunately, the war on drugs still rages on, and the government recognizes crimes on drugs that many states don’t. In 2014, “88.4 percent- or about 619,800 arrests- were made for marijuana alone.” These are all non-violent offenders, taking up taxpayer dollars, and room in our prisons while “many murders, rapes, and robberies go unsolved.”
However, it’s hard to dispute the statistics and perhaps the best argument against marijuana usage is the number of fatalities involving drivers who tested positive for cannabis. Between 2006-2011, there were more than 200 fatalities by a driver who tested positive cannabis. But, should we really blame the drug for this? Isn’t it also the responsibility of the individual at hand? Every 31 minutes someone dies of an incident involving a drunk driver. Once again, alcohol proves itself to be a more dangerous substance, and it’s in more use state and country wide. Now, just because people make decisions with poor judgment doesn’t mean we should just turn a blind eye and allow it. But ultimately, the responsibility lies on the shoulders of the person, not the substance.
The government certainly has a role to play in restricting certain substances. But marijuana isn’t necessarily an abusive substance. For the states that voted against marijuana regulation, the government should feel free to restrict the drug. But for those states who have voted for tolerance, the acceptance of marijuana ultimately needs to be respected by the government.
