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There have long been many misconceptions on both ends, particularly regarding the arguments that pro-legalization activists come up with. These falsities include:
*"Marijuana has never killed a person."
*"You can't overdose on marijuana."
*"Marijuana isn't addicting like cocaine, alcohol, or tobacco; it shouldn't be classified as a drug."
Even I, a pro-activist, will point out that these statements are misleading. The truth is that marijuana never has killed a person in the same way as overdosing on alcohol or heroin, but it is not only possible but common.
Marijuana kills people in a more metaphorical way. Smoking pot kills your goals and ambitions; getting high kills your motivation; and in the deepest of all ways it kills everything about you. You do not die, but all that is left of you is another pothead.
This is not true for everyone, and that's why the third example of a misconception statement is one of the most controversial. The truest explanation is that marijuana is addicting, depending on the user and the user's expectations. For that matter, television and video games are just as addicting.
However it all comes down to one basic misconception. Is marijuana a drug? Despite years of protesting this, it has to be acknowledged that yes, marijuana is a drug. Not just because of its legal status, but because it is something a person uses to "feel better". -
No Income for the Government
Some believe that if marijuana were legalized; nothing would change. Those who do not choose to use marijuana would not suddenly decide to try it just because it's legal. For that matter, nobody has ever decided to not try pot just because it is not legal. The legal status of marijuana, per se, has no effect on who will try it--or who will become addicted.
However, maintaining an illegal status has placed many potheads and stoners in trouble with the law. These days, marijuana has become more acceptable, and a possession charge usually results in a simple slap on the wrist and a legal fine.
For this reason, it is widely believed that marijuana will never be legalized simply because as long as it is illegal, the government can make more money from marijuana. If it were to be legalized, there would be no way for the government to control marijuana sales or growth or to tax it. -
Gateway Drug
The con side to marijuana remaining illegal is that once a person has already used a drug that is illegal, that opens the door for a person. They are suddenly an "illegal drug user" in society's eye. Nobody who takes a prescription anti-depressant would be viewed as negatively as an illegal drug user. Once a person is an illegal drug user, he is placed on the wrong side of the fence.
There is a world of opportunity as an illegal drug user. Opportunities such as cocaine, heroine, Ecstasy and LSD.
It is certainly understandable that the government, as money-oriented as it is, would allow marijuana to be decriminalized to a slap on the wrist and a fine for smaller amounts of posession. (Intent to sell is a different story, because an individual charged could have been making an income that is not taxable.)
However, by leaving marijuana as an illegal drug "and that's that," marijuana becomes a gateway drug.
On the other hand, an individual drawn to experiment with marijuana has her own reasons that make that person susceptible to drug use. One individual gets a fix with prescription drugs, others get a fix with smoking a joint, still and others get their fix by sniffing a line or shooting up.
In general, legalizing marijuana would not have any effect on the pros and cons of using marijuana. Pot is out there, and easily accessible, for anybody who wishes to use it. It's not just the teenagers on the corners who are using pot. Many individuals are much more discreet and private, or responsible, about smoking pot.
Yet just because "everyone is doing it" does not make it OK. There is a drug problem in the United States because there is a problem with unhappiness in the United States. A con of legalizing marijuana that has not yet been overly discussed is the simple fact that there are better ways to deal with unhappiness than getting high. -
Restricted Employment Opportunities
Following suit with the fact that marijuana is an illegal drug, many companies today screen potential employees for drug use. This has both a good side and a bad side.
Anybody taking offense over being denied a job because he smokes pot is in desperate need of a reality check. There are many reasons why a person should be denied a job if he tests positive for using marijuana. For one, if a person is incapable of passing a drug test to gain employment, he is clearly displaying mixed up priorities.
On the other hand, a person suffering depression may be unable to better their situation. In this case, it is a better idea for an individual to seek medical and psychological treatment at a rehabilitation center before pursuing a job.
The truth is, regardless of common misbelief, habitual marijuana use destroys motivation. Employers are wise to screen out those who would not work as enthusiastically because they have a drug problem. -
Imbalance of Drug Screening
In contrast to the drug screening of potential employees, there is one thing that should be incorporated into the application process for any form of welfare.
It is unfortunate that a person must pass a drug test to be a working individual, but there is no drug test required to receive "free handouts." Hardworking individuals are often denied any form of public assistance, even though those programs are paid for out of those individuals' hard earned paychecks, while individuals who do receive assistance are usually the worst cases of drug users and addicts. -
Think of Your Children
When analyzing the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana, one must not only think of herself and her own experiences or opinions. The most important question to ask is, "How would you feel about your children smoking pot?"
If marijuana were legalized, the next generation would not understand the same catches to marijuana use that several generations of the Drug War have worked hard to defend, on both ends.
Nobody wants his children to be alcoholics, or potheads, or even cigarette smokers. A person who would actually encourage his child to use marijuana because it is "not as bad as they say it is" is a poor role model and should be stripped of his rights to parent a child. -
In our lifetimes, we may or may not see marijuana legalized for recreational use. If it is, it may be available over the counter, with an age restriction for purchase.
Among myriad opinions, only those of politicians matter. Research has shown that even if a politician supports the legalization of marijuana, that is a very difficult decision to place your reputation on the line for. Legalizing marijuana is not about "should" or "should not." In the eyes of who matters, it's about who will be offended and protest.
A controversy as large as the legalization of marijuana has two very strong sides to it. Perhaps decriminalizing marijuana to minimal punishment is the furthest this battle will ever go. Yet even if marijuana were to ever become fully legalized, it's any individual's responsibility to speak openly and honestly with their children about the national opinion of marijuana use and why the pro-legalization opinion should not affect the decision that marijuana is still a drug.
Comments
devinarney92 said
on 9/1/2009 I have been smoking marijuana for about a year now and honestly I don't understand why it is illeagal! There is nothing wrong with marijuana. No chemicals or fancy extraction methods...just a plant that you grow like any other plant! I find it ironic that things such as alcohol and ciggaretts ate readilly available, and kill thousands each year, but marijuana remains an illegal substance. Has marijuana ever killed anyone? No. Hurt someone? No, no it hasn't! We are allowed to have raging alcolics who hurt others and themselves but not pot? Please stop listening to the lies and bs propaganda. Look at the facts! Harmless plant. As long as you give it the respect it deserves and keep things simple. Thanks. I hope you will see things my way one day!
againstit said
on 8/26/2009 Marijuana is not a victimless crime! As someone who has been unwillingly subjected to second hand smoke (both cigarettes and marijuana) and has NEVER smoked either first hand, I can attest to the fact that it is not a victimless crime. My rights to choose what goes into my body was taken away by second hand smoke. Let's start with some examples on legal smoking product that is already being forced onto others, cigarettes. When I was a child my grandmother would smoke in the car and in her home, I had no choice over it and was punished if I spoke out about my discomfort. So now you are telling me this same situation should be allowed to occur with marijuana as well? I come out of the mall and most of the time and I am subjected to cigarette second hand smoke, and now I'm supposed to be subject to second hand marijuana smoke as well? I'm sorry to tell you this but your liberties ...
tody said
on 7/22/2009 Today 7/22/09 Cook county IL is voting to decriminalize marijuana in the areas they patrol. Call President Todd Stroger 312 603 6400 to urge him not to veto the proposal!
kevin222 said
on 7/21/2009 caffeine is a drug... nicotine is a drug... alcohol is a drug...fucking nutmeg is a drug. ASPIRIN, VITAMIN B, GUARANA, SUGAR, practically everything we consume has "effects" on our biology...CHOCOLATE MAKES YOU FEEL "LOVED"..PEANUTS KILL PEOPLE...BIG MACS KILL THOUSANDS EVERY YEAR....pot just makes you smile, so, screw you.
kevin222 said
on 7/21/2009 caffeine is a drug... nicotine is a drug... alcohol is a drug...fucking nutmeg is a drug. ASPIRIN, VITAMIN B, GUARANA, SUGAR, practically everything we consume has "effects" on our biology...CHOCOLATE MAKES YOU FEEL "LOVED"...PEANUTS KILL PEOPLE...BIG MACS KILL PEOPLE...... so, screw you.