I am not exactly an advocate of legalized marijuana. I don't fight for it, I don't have people sign petitions, and I certainly do not write my representatives telling them to make it legal. But I certainly support its legalization, and if it were to come up to a vote, I would certainly vote in favor of it.
Marijuana, as a drug, has never been proven to be addictive, unlike cigarettes and alcohol, which both are legal with limitations. Further, marijuana has been proven to be helpful for people who have a serious medical problem, including both cancer and HIV. Marijuana is often viewed as a cure-all for a wide variety of other medical ailments as well.
Slowly, more states are starting to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes. It's not only inexpensive to grow, but if taxed properly, would help erase the deficit.
A few days ago, the Los Angeles City Council voted in favor of a pro-marijuana resolution for medical purpose. In Calif., possessing up to an ounce of marijuana is no worse than getting a speeding ticket. Fort Collins, Colo. opened its first medical-marijuana store last week. When his state reduced the penalty of marijuana possession in late March, New Hampshire State Rep. Michael Marsh said that was the right move.
Several states are slowly legalizing pot, and thank goodness. Alcohol has been proven to be addictive, and every year thousands of people are treated for alcohol poisoning. Alcoholics suffer withdrawals if they suddenly stop drinking. Alcohol destroys people's lives, takes people's children, and yet it remains legal. However, marijuana, a far less intense drug, remains illegal because of stigma that this country as a whole has not been able to get over. No one has ever died from marijuana overdose.
Meanwhile, every year, thousands of people try to quit smoking. Arizona passed a law to prohibit it near doors of public places, and secondhand smoke has been proven to be as harmful as lighting up. Secondhand smoke of marijuana is not like this at all.
Further, smoking tobacco causes cancer, while, according to study conducted by the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs found that THC, the drug found in marijuana, actually reduces the chances of getting a wide variety of cancers, including lung cancer.
So, I think we should legalize it.
Now, before I go and check my e-mail only to find letters saying I belong in prison, I am not suggesting that weed should be legalized for anyone under the age of 18. Nor am I saying that people should be able to grow it on the side of their house (thought it does in several parts of country grow as a weed). However, I am recommending that someone consider all of the benefits for marijuana. For a country that is so sensitive about the rising costs of health care and prescription drugs, marijuana may be the answer. For people with stuttering problems, marijuana may be the answer. For people who are about to die from cancer, like your grandparents, marijuana may be the answer. For people who are dying of HIV or AIDS, marijuana may be the answer.
With all of the positives that are associated with marijuana, how can we argue that its positives do not outweigh the fabricated negatives?
I am not an advocate for marijuana's legalization, but I certainly could be.
Ray can be reached by e-mail at raymond.ceo@asu.edu.
