For the past years, opinions on drug abuse have progressively changed; before the public has been supporting the prohibition of marijuana and penalties for those caught in possession of the drug. However, recently a group of people has been pushing for the legalization of marijuana. Some countries such as Canada allow the use of marijuana for recreational benefits while other marijuana is still illegal on the federal level. People may have the views that legalization of the drug may reduce violence, expand rights of individuals while others think it might increase the number of people abusing drugs thus leading to an unproductive nation. There are genuine concerns that come with the idea of legalizing the drug or not. Canada legalized marijuana; did it make a mistake or should others such as the United States follow suit? This essay will give solid arguments from both sides of the debate and conclude with the best course of action.

The percentage of people advocating for the legalization of marijuana argue using the following ideas. More than 30 states have legalized use of marijuana for medicinal use and recreational benefits; States that are prohibiting the idea should follow suit. Clearly, from a healthcare perspective medical marijuana is essential. Patients are using the drug for relief of refractory or debilitating physical or mental pain. For example, there is a belief that cannabidiol oil is used to control pain or seizure. Healthcare practitioners are advocating for the legalization of marijuana for these medicinal and recreational uses. The historical explanation to this perspective is that since ancient times people have been using cannabis for its fiber, to treat pain and nausea in a patient with cancer and AIDS and for its mood-altering effects. On Nov. 1 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave Epidiolex the approval for its launching and became the first cannabis plant-derived drug that treated patients with rare epilepsy forms.

Legalizing marijuana is not only for its medicinal benefits, but the state and federal government can also use it as a new source of revenue. States would tax revenue got from selling medical and recreational marijuana. An example was in 2016 where Colorado collected approximately $200 million in tax revenue from legal sales of marijuana worth $1.3 billion. Besides, it would create more jobs based on employment projections from various sectors involved such as manufacturing, utility and the government. Nations will also benefit from legalizing and regulating this drug since under the rule of law it will become the largest cash crop in the nation. This step creates economic opportunities in the formal economy instead of exchanging in the illicit market. According to Giammona, the U.S. legal marijuana industry has gained political and economic clout having employed around 200,000 people or more and has generated sales worth $11 billion last year. Canadian wall street and investors are expecting substantial growth in sales in the cannabis industry.

The campaign to legalize marijuana in the State has been with the aim of stopping the racially biased and ineffective enforcement of drug prohibition. Approximately, 587,700 people were arrest for crimes related to marijuana in 2016 which is more than that of murder and rape combined. These arrests place a heavy burden on the judicial system and often carry harsh penalties for the youths which may have lifelong consequences such as social harm to the individual. Besides, the marijuana industry is associated with racial and economic injustice, with arrests targeting young people and people of color. The legalization will reduce harm and help in the creation of a well-regulated, just and inclusive industry with economic justice. Besides, it will save money used to make the arrest, and the resources will have better uses. Law enforcement will reduce corrections and court costs and ensure public safety for all citizens. The argument is that bringing cannabis out of the shadows and allowing free usage is likely to cause better monitoring of the industry by law enforcement.

Critics say that legalization of marijuana exposes youths to the drug which is likely to cause increased drug abuse and drugged driving.Marijuana adversely affects the ability of an individual to drive, and unlike alcohol, police have no parameters to measure the content of the drug individual have taken. THC can stay in the bloodstream for long even weeks; thus critics argue it becomes hard giving proper regulations and parameters. However, some claim that it is more dangerous driving under alcohol-influence than under marijuana. Law enforcement agencies do not want the public to construing them for supporting drug use and crimes associated with them. It is believed that individuals involved in the use of marijuana; either buying or selling are highly likely to be involved in other crimes. Law, therefore, believes that incarcerating marijuana offenders will promote a safer society.

Notably, the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that excessive use of marijuana causes health complications and affects the well-being of the individual. It inhibits brain development, causes mental illness and breathing problems. Pregnant women who inhale or digest the drug jeopardize the brain development of the fetus. This effect exposes the child of being at risk of developing attention deficit as they grow or show poor learning skills. Use ofmarijuana also exposes young people whose brains are still under development process to deleterious cognitive effects. Others may lead to addiction or dependency at a young age. The smoke emitted from marijuana has various carcinogens and chemicals which compared to cigarette smoke cause a more direct and toxic effect on the lungs. These health effects pose risks to users across the lifespan. Heavy marijuana users experience depression, hallucinations or panic attacks. While some health practitioners advocate for, some advocate against due to the mentioned harmful health effects. However, there is the claim or argument that compared to alcohol and tobacco which are legal and widely used, marijuana is less harmful to the health of individuals, yet it is illegal. Marijuana has proven its medical benefits and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration should regulate it.

Until it is proven that inhaling or ingesting the drug harms the physical and emotional health of an individual or increases crime activities, only then should people and the government vote against its legalization. Markedly, it is essential that youths are educated early about the harmful effects of marijuana use, and not criminalizing or jailing them. This step will prevent abuse of it. People should be open-minded about the topic and have an honest conversation without being biased. Marijuana is a drug, and like other drugs, there are risks and benefits of its usage. The benefits outweigh the risk, and the government should aim at educating the public on the therapeutic and recreational effects and issues policies that will prevent its abuse.

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