Why Marijuana Should Not Be Legal
Just as there are many loud voices and supporters of marijuana legalization arguments, there is also a loud and passionate minority that opposes legalizing marijuana. The following are reasons why marijuana should not be legal.
Dangers of Marijuana
Though studies have clearly shown the medical benefits that can be derived from marijuana use, some of the same studies have been relied upon by detractors to craft arguments against legalizing weed. Studies have shown that adolescent use of marijuana can have potential impacts on both short-term and long-term memory. If, as the studies suggest, adolescent brain function can be negatively impaired by marijuana usage, it is a compelling argument why marijuana should be illegal or at least restricted in a way that adolescents cannot obtain or use the drug.
Enforcement Concerns
Critics of legalizing marijuana often point to the difficulty that accompanies enforcement of regulations related to the legal use of marijuana when making arguments against legalizing weed. For example, law enforcement agencies have developed clear cut, reliable methods for testing drivers who are suspected for driving under the influence of alcohol and determining when those drivers have ingested too much alcohol to be considered a safe driver. However, critics of marijuana legalization argue that there is no easy or consistent method of setting up those same parameters when monitoring and enforcing prohibitions against operating a motor vehicle when a driver is under the influence of marijuana. Additionally, there is evidence to suggest a driver may be more adversely affected by the use of marijuana than the use of alcohol. The combination of the increased danger and the difficulty of determining a threshold of exposure makes marijuana too dangers to decriminalize, according to critics.
Environmental Concerns
Another argument made by opponents for why marijuana should not be legal is that widespread legal marijuana cultivation would have an enormous impact on the environment and the United States’ power grid. It was estimated in the year 2012, long before marijuana was legalized in most states that now allow it for either recreational or medical purposes, that grow lights in marijuana farms used nearly six billion dollars worth of electricity per year. Since that time, an additional eight states have legalized recreational marijuana usage and possession, while many more have also legalized medical marijuana. Some people speculate the increasing demand on the electrical grid could overwhelm the grid and cause mass problems.
Summary for and against to make informed decisions on cannabis legalization