Addressing the Major Pros and Cons of Legalizing Marijuana

 

                There are many pros and cons of legalizing marijuana but the arguments against legalizing it are becoming less and less effective.  Some of the arguments against it are:  legalization will lead to increased use, especially in teens; there will be an increased incidence of lung cancer and other pulmonary complications; marijuana is a gateway drug and will lead to a higher incidence of illegal drug use.  All of these arguments can be refuted by studies and statistics.

                In addressing the argument that legalization of marijuana will lead to increased use of it, especially among the teenage population, this is simply not true.  Marijuana is legal in the Netherlands and their percentage of usage among the population is comparable to the United States’ percentage, except for the percentage of teen users.  That number is actually lower in the Netherlands.  If marijuana is made legal in the United States, there will be a legal age stipulated.  It will be illegal to use marijuana under a certain age (18 or 21 years old).  This will keep it out of their hands.

                Arguing that the legalization of marijuana will lead to increased health consequences is not true, either.  According to a preview of a study performed by Donald Tashkin, M.D., “In summary, the accumulated weight of evidence implies far lower risks for pulmonary complications of even regular heavy use of marijuana compared to the grave pulmonary consequences of tobacco.” (Armentano, 5)  As stated, tobacco is a much more harmful, legal drug. 

                A huge argument for not legalizing marijuana is that it is a gateway drug, meaning its legalization will lead to an increased use of addictive, harmful and illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin and crystal methamphetamine.  According to Pros and Cons of Legalizing Marijuana, “In 2006, a 12 year study by the American Psychiatric Association was published according to which there was unlikely to be any correlation between adolescents using cannibas and the possibility of them getting addicted to other harder drugs.” (Gupta, 13) Once again, a major con of legalizing marijuana is denied.

                There are many arguments against the legalization of marijuana but none of them are very convincing and they are proven false in study after study.  How much more proof does there have to be that marijuana is harmless substance and should be legalized?