Adverse Effects of Marijuana Legalization Essay Example

has devastating effects on the economy, public health, the society as well as the American culture in general (Single, 1990). Uncontrolled use of marijuana intoxicates the brain, damages the normal functioning of the body and lead to behavior changes that are costly to maintain. Additionally, use of marijuana threatens the welfare, the safety of both the users and non-users (Thomas & Hauschild, 1971). For example, an individual intoxicated with marijuana would easily harm another person for no reason.

Legalization of marijuana would also increase the burden and pressure on the health care industry (Van & Cross, 1997). For instance, there would be increased visits to emergency rooms, growth in police responses as well as increased ambulance calls. There are numerous adverse effects of using marijuana, they include; risk of cancer, delayed brain development, result to mental illness and increased predisposition to cardiovascular diseases. As per now, marijuana use costs the government about $15.8 billion annually (Posey, 2016). Therefore, if it is made legal, then the amount spend would triple constraining the budget and affecting the economy of the country.

Increase in Terrorism

It is now 15 years after the deadly terrorist attack that occurred on September 11, 2001. It is evidently clear that massive amounts of money are run by these global terrorist networks in order to maintain their activities and fund their members (Vlahov, Galea, Resnick, Boscarino, Bucuvalas & Gold, 2002). According to undercover research done by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, terrorist’s activities are funded from money collected from narcotic businesses including marijuana. Despite the fact these terrorist activities take place in countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan and Somalia, legalization of marijuana in America would only

exacerbate the terrorism problem. In simpler terms, legalization of marijuana would mean creating better opportunities for a terrorist to survive as well as control different markets in the European and American region (McGuire, 2016). Having these facts in mind, the paper wholly oppose legalization of marijuana or any other drug.

Moral Perspective

From a moral point of view, a government cannot be involved in the distribution of objects, services or substances that are considered immoral as per the norms and values of the society (Denning, 2016). Marijuana is generally considered as unhealthy substance following the adverse effects it has on the well-being of the community (Voss, 1981). A government is expected to protect the health of its citizens rather than exposing them to harm. Moreover, easy availability of marijuana would mean the creation of new consumers rather than reducing and rescuing the already affected persons.

As seen earlier, marijuana use affects both the users and the passive users equally (McGinty, Samples, Bandara, Saloner, Bachhuber & Barry, 2016). For example, increased health costs, neglect of children and families by marijuana-addicted parents and amplified criminal activities affect both the users and the innocent individuals in the society (Dougherty, 2016). Therefore, legalization of marijuana would only mean destroying the already established morals, values, and peace of the society which is completely unethical.

Conclusion

Norms and values in the society are learned through the socialization process. Similarly, legalization of marijuana would socialize the younger generation that marijuana use is acceptable. Having this in mind, it is clear that legalization of marijuana would have more adverse effects than positive effects on the society (Borini, Paulo, Guimaraes, Cardoso, & Borini, 2004). Some of its effects are

more likely to tough on the moral value of the community, economic, security, and health of the nation. Following this, this paper can confidently stand against legalization of marijuana.

References

1. Borini, Paulo, Guimara?es, Romeu Cardoso, & Borini, Sabrina Bicalho. (2004). Possible hepatotoxicity of chronic marijuana usage. (Sao Paulo Medical Journal.)
2. McGeorge School of Law. (January 01, 2012). The road to legitimizing marijuana: What benefit and what price? : Symposium. Mcgeorge Law Review, 43, 1, 1-167.
3. Denning, B. P. (January 01, 2016). State Legalization of Marijuana as a Diagonal Federalism Problem. FIU Law Review, 11, 2, 349-356.
4. McGuire, J. (January 01, 2016). Trends in marijuana legalization: A wake-up call for employers. Occupational Health & Safety Journal
5. Dougherty, T. (January 01, 2016). Marijuana use and its impact on workplace safety and productivity. Occupational Health & Safety Journal
6. McGinty, E. E., Samples, H., Bandara, S. N., Saloner, B., Bachhuber, M. A., & Barry, C. L. (September 01, 2016). The emerging public discourse on state legalization of marijuana for recreational use in the US: Analysis of news media coverage, 2010-2014. Preventive Medicine, 90, 114-120.
7. Kaiser, F. F. (April 15, 2016). Doctors, Breaking With AMA, Form Group To Support Legalization Of Marijuana. Kaiser Health News, 2016-4.
8. Single, E. W. (March 08, 1990). Impact of Marijuana Decriminalization: An Update. Journal of Public Health Policy, 456-466.
9. Shephard, E. M., & Blackley, P. R. (June 06, 2007). Impact of Marijuana Law Enforcement in an Economic Model of Crime. Journal of Drug Issues, 37, 2.)
10. American, P. A., & Posey, L. M. (September 06, 2016). National Estimates of Marijuana Use and Related Indicators--National Survey on Drug Use and Health, United States, 2002-2014. American Pharmacists Association
    

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