Legalizing Marijuana

The Truth about Legalizing Medical Marijuana

By Laura Zielske


The legalization of medical marijuana in America has already happened in 15 of the 50 United States. Some voters in our state would like to add this measure to our state’s ballot in the next election. It is their belief the tax income could benefit the community and possibly reduce crime since marijuana will no longer be sold on the black market. Another argument for legalizing medical marijuana is it could reduce violent crime along our border states with Mexico. These may be valid arguments, but the public remains largely divided on the legalization of medical marijuana. Here are some of the possible negative impacts citizens should consider before adopting this measure.

The legalization of medical marijuana legitimizes drug use. Calling marijuana “medicine” leads society to believe it’s not harmful. John Waters, Director of the National Drug Control Policy stated in a syndicated editorial March 2002 that “Smoked marijuana damages the brain, heart, lungs, and immune system. It impairs learning and interferes with memory, perception, and judgment. Smoked marijuana contains cancer-causing compounds and has been implicated in a high percentage of automobile crashes and workplace accidents” (Waters).

One of the reasons many citizens agree to legalize medical marijuana is they believe tax revenue will benefit their state. The truth is tax revenues are not being collected in the states that have already legalized medical marijuana. Many of the dispensaries do not pay sales tax or keep financial records that could be used against them in a federal investigation since selling marijuana is a federal crime. Other dispensaries and patient groups argue that nonprofit collectives and co-ops should be exempt from taxes.

Another reason we should not adopt this measure is the possible negative financial impact to society. As marijuana smokers’ age and health decline, there could be a negative financial impact to insurance costs for everyone. As addiction sets in, they could commit crimes like stealing in order to support their drug habit. Users could become unproductive members of society in their altered state of mind; their jobs could suffer as well as their employer’s profits.

The negative impact for the user’s family will most likely be devastating. The cost of supporting the marijuana smoking habit could be expensive if demand is high and supply is low it could take money away from the family budget. With a readily available supply of marijuana in the home or on the streets, its possible children will be presented with marijuana at a very early age. It is also believed that younger children who smoke marijuana are more likely to use cocaine and heroin and become dependent on drugs as adults. The sister of a friend of mine began smoking marijuana when she was twelve years old. Not long afterward she tried other drugs including crystal methamphetamine. She is now fifty years old and still suffers from drug addiction that has torn apart her family and she is unable to hold a job.

While at first the idea of legalizing “medical” marijuana may seem like a good idea because it could increase tax revenues and potentially reduce crime along our border states, the potential negative impact to our families, businesses, and society as a whole, far outweighs any potential benefits.