Should cannabis be legalized?

[nightdrot]

The British political philosopher and statesman Edmund Burke said, "The effect of liberty to individuals is that they may do what they please. We ought see what it will please them to do before we risk congratulations."

The core argument is that legalization is an expansion of liberty, that we already have alcohol and tobacco as intoxicants, and that marijuana is essentially harmless compared to other drugs.

The first point is likely to prove ephemeral. Even legalized, marijuana will be a controlled substance sales of which will, at a minimum, be limited to those 18 (or perhaps 21) years of age or older. To enforce this will requite an enormous regulatory, monitoring and law enforcement apparatus. Throw in that it will undoubtedly be taxed by state and local - and Federal jurisdictions - eager to cash in on the windfall, and the expansion of government bureaucracy and the court system will likely dwarf anything that the current prohibition requires.

Say what you will, the IRS, the FDA, OSHA and other such agencies do not, at the moment play a role in the law with marijuana. It is largely a matter for the courts and law enforcement. Legalize it, and whole panoply of government entities will become involved.

As to comparing it to tobacco and alcohol, do we really want another tobacco or alcohol. How much do those intoxicants cost the country in blood and treasure each year. Insert the known and unknown side effects of marijuana into the mix, it would be an ocean of misery.

One example, since Colorado legalized marijuana, emergency room admissions of children who have stumbled on mom and dad's stash have skyrocketed. Also, intoxicated driving convictions have similarly soared and employers have reported an increase in workplace accidents.

As to marijuana being harmless. This is relative. It is known that frequent users of marijuana are prone to schizophrenia - though it is disputed if marijuana is cause or effect. Minors who use marijuana show decreased IQ levels and behavior problems. These are known problems.

Throw in what we do not know and may learn later. (How long did it take before the linkage between tobacco and lung cancer was established?) Further, once these problems are discovered you can be assured that the demand for government assistance programs to aid the victims will be intense. The middle class loves it indulgences, but hates paying for them.

Add it all up, legalization is a bad idea. So it will likely happen - and is happening, but it shouldn't be.

[Hamsterdam64]

if it has an addiction profile at all, it is an incredibly mild psychological one, and from my experience, i doubt even that. Your 2nd point on second hand smoke, you already addressed yourself, mentioning vaporizing, edibles, et al. Third point; it could decrease mental health. Is that one you threw in cuz it might possibly be true, do you have a study you could cite? Many people benefit from cannabis as a psych therapy, some don't. Just like ibuprofen works for some and not others. Lastly... it alters your perception—and? Coffee also does this, anti-depressants do this, tobacco, alcohol, even chocolate has a mild, cannabis-like effect.
To be straight, no, i don't see cannabis as the great panacea, however it helps many, many enjoy it. Some more than alcohol... maybe a good question to ask would be how many cases of domestic violence are attributed to alcohol vs cannabis? Does cannabis cause chromosomal damage...(that was an early 80s question) and one thing i would favor. 21 is age of full majority, but the brain is not fully developed until 25. Dont make law against it, but education should come with it.
Last thing. i would ask you to do deep study on just how it came to be illegal n the first place, while Laudanum was still legal

[Astarlessnightsky]

Either legalize cannabis or make alcohol and tobacco illegal.

Both alcohol and tobacco are more dangerous in all aspects compared to cannabis.

And i don't think its a good idea to ban alcohol and tobacco, would only increase the crimerate.

[maryisbreathing]

Yeah I honestly do
I think either poland or Greenland (I don't remember where really) legalised like all drugs and put a lot of money into helping people out of addictions and stuff and now saying that country has a drug problem is a bit silly

[worldscolide]

considering its less dangerous than alcohol, and has some benefits for pain relief, I have a friend who prescription drugs do not work for, but weed does.. I feel like it definitely should be legalized.

[jshm2]

It'll be worse than alcohol and tobacco abuse combined.

Mainly as cannabis use brings the additional problem of mental health problems.

[Ripper_E]

Yea, under conditions, just like with alcohol and tobacco.

[_no_one_]

Still better than alcohol.

[Agape93]

Yes absolutely