The Impact Of Marijuana Legalization On Youth

636). Thus, they argue that the legalization of marijuana, should be similar to those of alcohol and tobacco where there are regulations for the sale to minimize any health related problems it may cause (Joffe & Yancy, 2004, p. 636). Additionally, tobacco and alcohol are among the most abused substances used by adolescents; despite having regulations for their sales through enforcing legal ages for purchase, they still find ways to purchase and consume these substances. Moreover, the legalization of marijuana would assist in pain relief as a less toxic, addictive and essentially safer drug in comparison to what some individuals use for chronic pain such as opiates and alcohol. It has been reported that there has been 25% of a decrease in the deaths related to opiate overdose; essentially, marijuana could contribute to the harm reduction that other substances cause (Mitchell 2016, p. 63)

This subject has been debated numerous times over the past few years. People’s points of view and researches about the topic have varied greatly. Some people believe that marijuana should be legalized, while the rest feel should stay prohibited. Proponents of marijuana argue that there are numerous medical benefits and that the drug is not more harmful than tobacco or alcohol. On the other hand, opponents argue that marijuana is too dangerous; its legalization would increase the chances of the drug falling into the hands of teens and that marijuana use often progresses to the use of more dangerous drugs like heroin and cocaine.

By legalizing marijuana, Texas can take a significant step towards rectifying these disparities by redirecting law enforcement resources away from non-violent marijuana offenses and towards more pressing issues. This would alleviate the burden on the criminal justice system, allowing for a more effective allocation of resources and a more equitable distribution of justice. Moreover, the concerns surrounding health implications should be carefully considered in the context of marijuana legalization. Contrary to fears that legalization would result in increased marijuana use among adolescents, studies indicate that this is not the case. Research examining states where marijuana has been legalized has found no significant increase in adolescent marijuana use following legalization.

Juju Mercado English 101 Katie Salazar Dec.17, 2015 Unit 4 Assignment Out of the fifty states in the United States, four are legally able to use Marijuana recreationally and 23 are legally able to use Marijuana for medical purposes. However, if more than half of the United States facilitate the use of Marijuana why not allow the use of it throughout the whole Nation? There are supporters on both sides of the consumption of marijuana with the legalization issue in the United States. One side, may argue to decriminalize the drug. Advocates of the medical use of marijuana would benefit from this notion, as the drug would be more broadly available and profitable to the public.

The Costs of Criminalization Over the last 18 years, 23 state governments have legalized marijuana, taxonomically known as cannabis sativa, for medicinal use. Voters in these states have declared that the federal government has scheduled marijuana inaccurately, in that cannabis has many medical uses. Medical professionals in these states prescribe marijuana as a treatment for ailments ranging from insomnia and muscle pain, to post traumatic stress and epilepsy. But recently, we have seen a shift in marijuana reformation movements throughout the country.

The campaign’s message about marijuana heavily exaggerates the negative effects of marijuana in an attempt to scare kids away from marijuana. However, exaggerating the consequences of marijuana actually lowers the campaign’s credibility. When a kid sees or hears a claim by the campaign that they deem ridiculous and fabricated, they might disregard the rest of the campaign’s claims and believe consuming marijuana has no negative consequences. The main point of the Just Say No campaign just tells kids to say no to marijuana, which is not effective because kids will naturally want to do the opposite. Finally, a meta-analysis of twenty controlled studies assessing the effects of the D.A.R.E program on students concluded that the D.A.R.E program did not cause a statistically significant decrease in the number of kids who participate in underage drinking and smoking marijuana, but rather there was a slight increase (Bai and Pan 7).

With the pressure to legalize marijuana rise for government officials, protesters argue that decriminalizing marijuana would help society and benefit the people living in the Unites States. In states that have already legalized marijuana, it has been documented and proven that marijuana usage has been higher than before legalization, even if the consequences were very severe (“Marijuana Decriminalization”). If people are so highly dedicated to continuingcontinue using marijuana, even with their lives and future at stake, what could stop them? Marijuana has been proven to be a “gateway” drug, therefore, if marijuana were to be legalized, eventually other harmful substances could be legalized as well causing many deaths and various forms of

“In recent years, Monitoring the Future, the NIDA-funded annual survey of drug, alcohol, and tobacco use in 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-grade students, has shown persistently high rates of marijuana and nonmedical prescription drug use in our Nation’s teens” (Most

In the 1960’s marijuana use had no outstanding effects on the United States people but in today's society the use of marijuana had become a huge epidemic over the past years. Even though it has been scientifically proven that marijuana can help seizures, Crohn’s, and effects of cancer, yet many people in today's society still believe that it has no use. In the United States 45 percent of drug arrest in 2013 were due to marijuana, but at Woodstock in 1969 when there was a controversial “Drug War” no one was arrested for marijuana (Merino par. 3). The use of marijuana is more strict in the United States now then it was in

With many states legalizing recreational marijuana, it can seem like kids smoking weed is a non-issue. In reality, marijuana serves as a gateway drug to more addictive, more harmful substances. In addition, kids smoking weed can lead to problems with the way that their brain develops. The human mind does not stop forming until the mid-20s, so early marijuana use can inhibit the mind 's ability to function. Why Kids Smoking Weed Is a Problem

Ignorance about its use can cause serious damage to the body and its long-time use can affect the brain development, memory, and learning functions. It can even cause vomiting, dizziness, hallucinations and the body’s other abilities deteriorate too. A research conducted has shown that teens using marijuana early, lost an average of eight IQ points between the age of 13 and 38. (Marijuana 2017, p-3) Along with all this, the inconsistency of laws is another hurdle in this ongoing process.

Today the demands are changing in different states. In States such as Colorado and Washington, marijuana has been legalized for recreational use. This move raised several questions as far as decriminalization of marijuana is concerned. Besides portraying the US in a bad light, legalization of marijuana for recreation increases the risk of developing mental problems, increases government expenditure on public health, jeopardizes the future of children, and is a gateway to other dangerous drugs. Increased health problems and public health expenditure-

Therefore, any state is not allowed to produce or distribute of any unhealthy substances due to the goal of the state, which is to protect the health of the citizens and not expose them to risk. Marijuana is also considered to become a gateway drug for users to discover a stronger or longer high, for examples like the use of heroin or cocaine. Researchers claim that marijuana is linked to a higher risk to use of prescription drugs, according to a recent Yale University medicine study, teenagers who abuse soft drugs are two to three times more likely to be addicted to prescription pills in early adulthood. Also, an increase in teenage girls who abuse prescription was found during the study. Therefore, the legalization of marijuana may cause an increase in societal and financial costs due to new drug consumers looking to expand their

“Legalization would increase the use by teens by making the drug more readily available for the public” (Jonker). “A 2020 study of more than 230 teens and young adults in Washington State, one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana for adults, concluded that teens may be more likely to use the drug now than before legalization” (The effects of Marijuana on teens). Legalizing marijuana would increase use by teens and young adults, which could lead to addiction, by making the drug more readily available for the general

Sabet later went on to state “We’ve seen lives damaged. We’ve seen deaths directly attributed to marijuana legalization . We’ve seen marijuana slipping through Colorado’s borders. We’ve seen it getting into the hands of young teenagers.” Each of theses statements should be cautionary lessons for other states tempting to loosen marijuana