Two Topic Related Debates Debate 1: Legalization of Marijuana
Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. Recently there have been increasing efforts to legalize marijuana. The Obama Administration has consistently reiterated its firm opposition to any form of drug legalization. Federal, state, and local officials are working with the Office of National Drug Control Policy to reduce the use of marijuana and other illicit drugs through development strategies that fully integrate the principles of prevention, treatment, recovery, and effective supply reduction efforts. Proposals such as legalization that would promote marijuana use are inconsistent with this health and safety approach. Arguments by those against legalization of marijuana include the notion that marijuana is harmful and should be discouraged; it is associated with dependence, respiratory and mental illness, poor motor performance, and impaired cognitive and immune system functioning, among other effects. Studies have shown an association between chronic marijuana use and increased rates of anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and schizophrenia. Other research has shown that marijuana smoke contains carcinogens and is an irritant to lungs. Marijuana smoke contains 50-70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than does tobacco smoke. A report from the RAND Corporation discusses how legalization would cause the price of marijuana to plummet, triggering increases in the use of the drug. Illegality helps keep prices higher. And because drug use is sensitive to price, especially among young people, higher prices help keep use rates low. Use of the legal substances alcohol and tobacco far outpace the use of marijuana, a strong indication that laws reduce the availability and acceptability of substances. Our experience with even tightly regulated prescription drugs such as oxycontin, shows that legalizing drugs widens availability and misuse, even with controls in place. The costs to society of alcohol and tobacco – substances that are legal and taxed – are much greater than the revenue that they generate. Federal excise taxes collected on alcohol in 2007 totaled around $9 billion; states collected around $5.5 billion. Combines, these amounts are less than 10 percent of the estimated $185 billion in alcohol-related costs to health care, criminal justice, and the workplace in lost productivity. Tobacco does not yield net revenue when taxed. Each year, Americans spend more than $200 billion on the social costs of smoking, but only about $25 billion is collected in taxes.
Legalizing marijuana would increase use of the drug, and consequently, the harm it causes, thus adding to the burden on the criminal justice system. Arrests for alcohol related crimes, such as violations of liquor laws, public drunkenness, and driving under the influence, totaled nearly 2.7 million in 2008. Marijuana possession arrests under current laws in 2008 totaled around 750,000. Most people whose only crime is marijuana possession do not go to prison. Independent research has shown that the risk of arrest for each “joint” or marijuana cigarette smoked is about 1 arrest for every 12,000 joint
Marijuana accounts for only a portion of the proceeds gained by criminal organizations that profit from drug distribution, human trafficking, and other crimes, so legalizing marijuana would not deter these groups from continuing to operate. Under the most commonly proposed legalization regime – one that imposes high taxes on marijuana – violent drug cartels would simply undercut legal prices to keep their market share. With increased demand for marijuana resulting from legalization, these groups would likely grow stronger.
The arguments for the legalization of marijuana include the premise that individuals deserve the right to decide whether or not they should use marijuana. The government should not tell individuals what to do as long as they don’t harm others. Another reason is that it is believed that legalizing marijuana would save the government a lot of money at all levels – federal, state, and local authorities all participate in the War on Drugs. The taxpayers foot the bill to keep drug offenders in prison. In addition, if marijuana were legal, the government would be able to collect taxes on it and would have a lot more money to pay for effective drug education programs.
A third argument is that prohibition does not work – education and treatment are better ways to address the drug problem.
Additionally, arguments include the use of marijuana as medicine to stimulate appetite and relieve nausea in cancer and AIDS patients. Also, the hemp plant is a valuable natural resource and legalizing marijuana would eliminate the confusion surrounding hemp and allow us to take advantage of its agricultural and industrial uses. Also, some religions such as Hindus, Buddhists, Rastafarians, and others use marijuana to practice their religion as they see fit. The First Amendment to the Constitution says that the government cannot “prohibit the free exercise” of religion, so marijuana should be legal.
Marijuana accounts for only a portion of the proceeds gained by criminal organizations that profit from drug distribution, human trafficking, and other crimes, so legalizing marijuana would not deter these groups from continuing to operate. Under the most commonly proposed legalization regime – one that imposes high taxes on marijuana – violent drug cartels would simply undercut legal prices to keep their market share. With increased demand for marijuana resulting from legalization, these groups would likely grow stronger.
The arguments for the legalization of marijuana include the premise that individuals deserve the right to decide whether or not they should use marijuana. The government should not tell individuals what to do as long as they don’t harm others. Another reason is that it is believed that legalizing marijuana would save the government a lot of money at all levels – federal, state, and local authorities all participate in the War on Drugs. The taxpayers foot the bill to keep drug offenders in prison. In addition, if marijuana were legal, the government would be able to collect taxes on it and would have a lot more money to pay for effective drug education programs.
A third argument is that prohibition does not work – education and treatment are better ways to address the drug problem.
Additionally, arguments include the use of marijuana as medicine to stimulate appetite and relieve nausea in cancer and AIDS patients. Also, the hemp plant is a valuable natural resource and legalizing marijuana would eliminate the confusion surrounding hemp and allow us to take advantage of its agricultural and industrial uses. Also, some religions such as Hindus, Buddhists, Rastafarians, and others use marijuana to practice their religion as they see fit. The First Amendment to the Constitution says that the government cannot “prohibit the free exercise” of religion, so marijuana should be legal.