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It is imperative to note that legalization of marijuana is a topic that has been quite controversial and has led to numerous discussions and disagreements. It is hard to argue with the fact that it is a useful drug in some cases, but many believe that it had numerous adverse effects and can be incredibly addictive. Some of the disadvantages are frequently exaggerated, and public may be misinformed most of the time.
One of the problems that may be addressed via legalization is offenses related to drug trade. One of the press releases has shown that crime rates have decreased in Colorado from 2013 to 2014. Also, judicial system savings are truly enormous, and the number of people that have been arrested because of cultivating has decreased by ninety percents. Moreover, it is evident that people are less likely to demonstrate offensive behavior, and it can be viewed as an enormous advantage.
The problem is that strict policies towards non-violent drug traders have been criticized, and individuals no longer have to suffer because of particular circumstances. Economic benefits are also tremendous and need to be discussed. Nearly 41 million dollars were collected over ten months, and the funds have been utilized to hire health professionals. School districts have suffered from enormous shortages of health providers, and this issue has been addressed. The number of new jobs has also increased significantly, and many individuals are willing to work in this area (Drug Policy Alliance, 2015).
On the other hand, it is important to understand that health care professionals should be much more careful when prescribing this drug. It is quite beneficial for individuals that suffer from such illnesses as aids or cancer, and it would not be reasonable to take their needs into account. One of the studies has shown that close to forty-three percents of individuals are likely to drive under the influence of cannabis.
The problem is that they can be reckless, and their decision-making is affected. However, the research has also shown that people demonstrate this behavior because they are not aware of possible risks (Davis et al., 2016). Furthermore, it is evident that the population should be educated on this topic, and it is would help to ensure that the number of incidents would decrease significantly. A press release has shown that a decline in traffic fatalities after legalization in Colorado has been shown, and it was reduced by three percents (Drug Policy Alliance, 2015). In other words, people are less likely to be dangerous on the road when they understand how to use cannabis safely.
However, many scholars that oppose this position suggest that the biggest problem is that marijuana becomes much easier to access for children, and it should be viewed as an enormous issue. Also, a significant percentage of the population does not support legalization because it is frequently criticized by media. Portrayals of people that use marijuana are especially problematic, and it would not be an easy task to explain that many aspects are often exaggerated. Another problem that should not be overlooked is that the use of marijuana may be especially problematic if combined with tobacco, and people become addicted much easier (Wang & Cataldo, 2016).
The problem is that many people prefer to inhale the drug, and it can hurt the lungs in the long-term. Safety of others also should not be disregarded. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) still does not think that marijuana should be legalized because of the way it affects young people and may lead to severe consequences. However, the organization believes that it should be decriminalized because adolescents are harshly punished if they possess small amounts of this drug and it could cause psychological issues (Guttman Krader, 2016).
Moreover, it is evident that the most significant problem that is currently not addressed is safety for children. However, well-developed guidelines could be helpful in this case, and parents would have a better understanding of what measures should be taken to protect their children. Furthermore, it is paramount to note that some of the interactions and uses of this drug are understudied, and there is a need for future research. However, it can be seen that it has many advantages that should not be overlooked, and statistics prove that some of the misconceptions are wrong. Care providers should take numerous factors into consideration before considering the use of marijuana for treatment, and the focus on competency is vital (Gundersen, 2015).
In conclusion, it is evident that legalization of cannabis has numerous benefits. However, it would not be an easy task to change the opinion of public because it has been established over many years. Also, one of the primary issues is that some of the policies and guidelines are not well-developed, and it would be wise to consider the experience of other states during the process of legislation. The funds that are generated can be used to support the education of children on this topic and other issues.
References
Davis, K. C., Allen, J., Duke, J., Nonnemaker, J., Bradfield, B., Farrelly, M. C.,…Novak, S. (2016). Correlates of marijuana drugged driving and openness to driving while high: Evidence from Colorado and Washington. PLoS One, 11(1), 1-13.
Drug Policy Alliance. (2015). Status report: Marijuana legalization in Colorado after one year of retail sales and two years of decriminalization [Press release].
Gundersen, D. C. (2015). The legalization of marijuana: Implications for regulation and practice. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 6(3), 34-38.
Guttman Krader, C. (2016). Why AAP opposes marijuana use and legalization. Contemporary Pediatrics, 33(2), 22-30.
Wang, J. B., & Cataldo, J. K. (2016). Medical marijuana legalization and co-use in adult cigarette smokers. American Journal of Health Behavior, 40(2), 205-214.
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