Cannabis Legalization
The issue of cannabis legalization has been a long debated topic in the United States. Twenty-five states and the District of Columbia currently have laws legalizing marijuana in some form; four states and the District of Columbia have legalized the recreational use of cannabis. Whether you are for or against the use of cannabis for medicinal or recreational purposes. Research by the Food and Drug Administration could be done, but without the Drug Enforcement Agency reclassifying cannabis as a drug with possible health benefits, this will never happen.
Those opposed to across the board legalization believe that this will open the door to greater drug use, especially with children. Opponents also claim that cannabis has an addictive nature …show more content…
Research done in independent laboratories in states where legalization has occurred has shown the opposite to be true. In fact, studies done by the National Institute on Drug Abuse states that only nine percent of people that use cannabis will become addicted to it. Also, by allowing cannabis to be sold on the black market creates a much larger opportunity for children and young adults to purchase the product. With strict government regulation, this would limit that possibility by having to show photo id to obtain cannabis through dispensaries and “coffee shops.” Lastly, the belief that cannabis is a gateway drug is just pure speculation and can be interpreted in many ways. Just like alcohol and tobacco combined with other biological factors may contribute to more hardcore drug use, cannabis is no different. A person’s social interactions with other drug users create more of an opportunity to use further drugs in most people’s eyes. Rather than just using cannabis alone.
Cannabis has been demonized for many generations, but with many states now adopting pro-cannabis laws, maybe now a more honest approach can be taken when speaking of nationwide legalization. With five states already conducting their own research on the use of cannabis. More information is arising, showing the positive health benefits is constantly surfacing. Whether it be medicinally or economically, cannabis is a commodity the United States should
Those opposed to across the board legalization believe that this will open the door to greater drug use, especially with children. Opponents also claim that cannabis has an addictive nature …show more content…
Research done in independent laboratories in states where legalization has occurred has shown the opposite to be true. In fact, studies done by the National Institute on Drug Abuse states that only nine percent of people that use cannabis will become addicted to it. Also, by allowing cannabis to be sold on the black market creates a much larger opportunity for children and young adults to purchase the product. With strict government regulation, this would limit that possibility by having to show photo id to obtain cannabis through dispensaries and “coffee shops.” Lastly, the belief that cannabis is a gateway drug is just pure speculation and can be interpreted in many ways. Just like alcohol and tobacco combined with other biological factors may contribute to more hardcore drug use, cannabis is no different. A person’s social interactions with other drug users create more of an opportunity to use further drugs in most people’s eyes. Rather than just using cannabis alone.
Cannabis has been demonized for many generations, but with many states now adopting pro-cannabis laws, maybe now a more honest approach can be taken when speaking of nationwide legalization. With five states already conducting their own research on the use of cannabis. More information is arising, showing the positive health benefits is constantly surfacing. Whether it be medicinally or economically, cannabis is a commodity the United States should