Marijuana Should Be Legalized and Regulated Like Tobacco
Did you know that according to a study published in the October 2009 issue of The British Journal of Psychiatry, a woman using tobacco while she is expecting a child can result in her offspring displaying psychotic behaviour when the child becomes an adolescent? Now the same study says that usage of marijuana by a pregnant woman does not have any such effect on the to-be born child. Yet tobacco is regulated and sold over the counter to adults. The British Columbia Mental Health and Addictions Journal recently published a report based on research that concluded that the costs for tobacco and even alcohol related health problems are far more significant than that of marijuana. It is perhaps the scepticism of critics that has given marijuana an unwarranted reputation as a highly damaging drug.
Though marijuana is known to have significant medicinal properties, it is still heavily used for recreation purposes. If we look at it from a recreational point of view, facts show us that results produced by regulation can be very significant in controlling and responsibly allowing for the consumption of marijuana.
A case in point was the regulation of the sales, marketing and advertising of tobacco way back in 1992 that had yielded fantastic results in curbing the consumption of tobacco by America’s youth. By banning the overt advertising of tobacco in the mainstream media, the use of tobacco by young people dropped by more than 47% since 1992.
Today, the medicinal marijuana industry is estimated to be over a $100 million. That is a very significant amount in terms of profits, expenditure, and consumption. Sadly, however, it continues to exist in a free and unmonitored market which helps contribute to the negative perceptions around legalization.
The current prohibition of marijuana has done more harm than good. We have to come to terms with the fact that the usage of marijuana exists and it is here to stay and that most importantly it will be used as a recreational drug by most. And that is where the logic of regulating marijuana much like tobacco comes into play. The results produced by the regulation of tobacco showed that public desire for a product can be effectively and safely fulfilled through a reasonable system of monitoring and accountability.
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Comments (4)I'm all for debate and examining the issues out in the open, but this article (http://www.campaignsthatmatter.com/articles/75-8-reasons-marijuana-should-be-kept-illegal) brought up and excellent point is that the Federal government will withhold tax dollars and grants. With that being said, why waste time and money on the issue when the Federal government will force the hand of the state? Parents should not support this on the reasoning that kids are going to smoke less or that they are going to smoke safer pot. They should support it on the grounds it will reduce drug violence and provide more resources to preventing drug use. I would rather see all that money spent on incarcerating marijuana users and dealers put toward responsible use programs for children. Bringing any product out of the underground economy will make the overall market safer. Relegalize Tax and Regulate. Remember parents DRUG DEALERS dont ask for ID. If it become legal like alcohol your children will be carded just like they are for alcohol. If you think I wrong please respond I would be happy to discuss it in a positive mannor. :) Have a nice day! |
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