Introduction
The debate on legalizing weed has continuously sparked conversation and heated disputes across the U.S. and globally. While those in favor of legalization highlight several advantages, substantial drawbacks need to be considered. In the case of the battle for legalizing weed, one of the primary arguments for legalization is economic growth. The cannabis industry offers a chance for states to enhance their economic situation by generating tax income, creating jobs, and fostering growth. Legalization can unburden the criminal justice system, allowing it to concentrate on more severe crimes. By legalizing cannabis, regulatory measures can be implemented to ensure a standardized product, reducing potency concerns. According to Berenson (2019), there is no evidence to indicate that the legalization of marijuana has led to an increase in use.
Trade-offs for the legalization of Weed
While the legalization of weed has its advantages, it has undeniable trade-offs. For instance, the health implications of the legalization of weed is a significant concern. Despite claims that marijuana is safe, research reveals that marijuana is not entirely safe, especially when compared to other substances like alcohol and tobacco. One particular cause for concern is the psychoactive substance, THC, that is found in cannabis and its impact on developing mental health in young people (Hansen et al., 2023). Legalization may result in a rise in marijuana consumption, which could intensify existing mental health complications, such as addiction and impaired cognition (Grisel, 2018).
In addition, there is a connection between the legalization of marijuana and road safety, which leads to the impairment of cognitive and motor skills, which increases the likelihood of traffic accidents (Adhikari et al., 2023). Legalization may heighten the likelihood of impaired driving incidents, endangering both drivers and pedestrians caught in the crossfire. Law enforcement officers encounter challenges in accurately assessing degrees of impairment and upholding DUI regulations regarding cannabis.
Another tradeoff for the legalization of weed is regulatory challenges and compliance (Hall, 2020). Complex challenges arise in regulating the cannabis industry, including product safety, responsible marketing, and protecting youth access. As a result, irregularities in governance can result in unforeseen results, such as sales in the black market and greater access for minors.
Finally, the legalization of marijuana may also present social equity implications. Throughout history, communities of color experienced higher rates of arrest and imprisonment for marijuana-related offenses due to the “War on Drugs” initiatives (Wiese et al., 2022). Legalization seeks to right these wrongs by clearing records and fostering minority-led enterprises. However, there is a possibility that the legal cannabis sector could be controlled by large, well-established businesses, which would maintain the existing social and economic divisions.
Current status of legalizing marijuana in Ohio State
Although medical marijuana is legalized in Ohio, recreational (adult-use) marijuana remains illegal. In 2016, Ohio enacted House Bill 523, allowing medical marijuana treatment for registered patients (Health Policy Institute of Ohio, 2017). The passage of this legislation signified a meaningful forward movement for Ohio’s medical cannabis initiatives. As of 2023, there have been several medical marijuana dispensaries operating across the state. Individuals with eligible medical conditions are allowed to secure a recommendation from a physician to access medical marijuana. The program features various forms of marijuana, including oils, tinctures, edibles, and flowers. Through a doctor-recommended approval, Ohio’s medical marijuana program provides access to medical marijuana for qualified patients with specific conditions. The list includes chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, HIV/AIDS, Crohn’s disease, glaucoma, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among others. Patients must complete a predetermined procedure in order to be eligible for Ohio’s medical marijuana program. After receiving a doctor’s approval, the patient can apply for the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program (OMMCP) to allow them to purchase and use marijuana legally.
As of 2023, Ohio has not legalized recreational marijuana use for adults through legislation or official action. Under Ohio state law, recreational marijuana use, possession, and distribution are prohibited. Ohio governor states that recreational marijuana should remain illegal since it is more potent (Rowland, 2023). Advocacy groups, individual champions, and policymakers often push for legalizing recreational marijuana, with projected benefits including tax collection, criminal justice system relief, and addressing illicit market complexities (Dills et al., 2021). Regardless of the illegality of recreational use, active campaigns exist in Ohio to promote recreational marijuana legalization.
Legalizing Marijuana is the winning choice.
As a policy analyst, I believe that the legalization of marijuana is the winning choice. In order to advocate for this alternative to persuade the decision-makers, I would provide a balanced framework that provides an objective perspective on marijuana legalization. Marijuana’s legalization and regulation hold immense value for both medicinal and recreational use. First, marijuana generates impressive economic gains, including tax revenue and growth. Regulating the cannabis market will enable the government to generate funds that will later be used to support crucial sectors like education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Additionally, this revenue has the potential to generate employment opportunities within the legal cannabis sector, thereby fortifying the economy.
Secondly, legalization enables stricter quality control and safety protocols. By upholding strict standards for testing, labeling, and dosing, regulatory bodies safeguard consumers from potentially dangerous cannabis products.
Third, Legalization brings about a reduction in criminal justice system involvement. The prohibition of marijuana has a disproportionate impact on marginalized communities, leading to excessive law enforcement action for non-violent infractions. Therefore, legalization can alleviate the criminal justice system’s load, saving law enforcement resources, preventing unnecessary criminal records, and hindering individual’s future plans.
Finally, the legalization of marijuana provides research opportunities. With legalization, the scope of medical research on marijuana will increase, revealing its pros and cons. Enhanced research on the therapeutic possibilities of marijuana can inform data-driven decision-making.
Analytically speaking, marijuana has unfortunately possessed significant stigmatization around it and its use. It has garnered great media and public scrutiny over the past decades since its legalization in several American states (Nystedt, 2021). While many other states continue legalizing the drug, increasing debates on whether or not it should possess consistent accessibility to the public arise. After its initial legalization for leisure purposes in 2012, political leaders have constantly fought to prevent its countrywide legalization. The massive stigmatization surrounding it has not changed a lot after the legalization for leisure. Nevertheless, with increasing research and the potential significant normalization of marijuana, many people hating it will change their views. They will witness all the aforementioned benefits the drug carries with it. Already, marijuana has promoted some of these benefits if the people hating on it do not already see it, and it will keep promoting them with its countrywide legalization. The aggregate sales of lawful marijuana in America amounted to twelve billion dollars in 2019. Every year, other states legalize it, allowing them and the country to earn more and more tax revenues.
Additionally, Nevada approximates the number of employment opportunities to increase by forty-one thousand by 2024 due to the legalization and sale of marijuana there. That would offer one billion dollars of workforce income in the state. The countrywide legalization of the drug will cause more than one million employment opportunities by 2025. The opportunities come from the production procedures of marijuana that need laborers to cultivate, distribute, and sell the drug. Also, marijuana has done a lot already to promote its medicinal worth and decrease health-related issues among people. Medicinal marijuana has been utilized to decrease aches and discomfort in chronic illnesses like fibromyalgia. The drug’s cannabinoids change ache paths within the cerebrum and offer happy feelings instead of the aches promoted by the illnesses. When one ingests marijuana, the cannabinoids connect to the “cannabinoid receptors” found in pain nerve fibers to bring feelings of reprieve (Nystedt, 2021). Moreover, states that have legalized marijuana have already witnessed and recorded fewer criminal issues. California recorded a twenty percent reduction in violence cases after it legalized the drug. Many other states said they had lower crime rates regarding sexual assaults and theft after they legalized marijuana. If other states legalize the drug, America could eventually be able to deal with its rampant violence issues. So to say, many civilians and politicians should start seeing the wide-ranging advantages marijuana legalization carries that make this move the winning choice, so it is legalized all over the globe for countries to exploit the benefits fully.
Conclusion
In conclusion, marijuana legalization is a multifaceted matter with varied implications that require extensive deliberation. Policymakers must address such complex considerations of the benefits and disadvantages of marijuana legalization to balance economic benefits, criminal justice reform, individual freedoms, public health concerns, regulatory hurdles, and social equity and disadvantages. Therefore, the success of legalization relies on the ability to derive benefits while minimizing the negative consequences. Legalizing marijuana is the winning alternative as it brings about wide-ranging benefits, including increased tax revenue for governments and encouragement of extensive research opportunities.
References
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