Assignment task:
Reply to the following discussion in 75 words or more
Chosen Topic: Cannabis Should be Federally Legalized.
As a military member in the armed forces, every single one of my coworkers endures pain and suffering in some aspect, whether it be physical or mental. Adults of legal age should be allowed to utilize cannabis for medical and recreational purposes, so long as they are not operating things like equipment or vehicles while high, or doing high-risk activities (no pun intended). Need Assignment Help?
Argument in Favor of Federally Regulated Use of Cannabis:
Like alcohol, the use of "weed" can boost the nation economically. Jobs will be created for farmers, shop workers, and those in charge of regulation for the industry and supplies. In 2020, Washington state reported $600 million in cannabis taxes. Putting this on a federal scale, the United States Federal Government could yield up to $6.8 billion in excise taxes alone (Project, n.d.).
According to the FBI, marijuana-related violations made up nearly 25% of all drug-related arrests in 2023 (Norml, 2024). If this is federally legalized, the criminal justice system can divert more of its resources and focus on other offenses that are more severe. Those being charged or criminalized in the justice system can cause back-ups in court hearings, as well as costing money to house them as inmates.
Medicinal use of marijuana can have many benefits to adults suffering from the following: seizures, chronic pain, poor sleep, anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Tourette's syndrome (Watson & Painter, 2024).
Argument Opposing the Federal Legalization of Cannabis:
Federally legalizing the use of marijuana can cause the user to experience delayed responses, specifically reactions associated with driving. In a study, it was shown that many fatal automobile accidents show similar statistics between alcohol and marijuana usage (Wilkinson, 2013).
Marijuana can cause issues with brain development if used at an early age. It can harm learning, thinking, memory development, and psychosis, and could lead to other physical health issues like lung damage (Marijuana Legalization: Risks and Costs | Hazelden Betty Ford, n.d.).
Summary:
In conclusion to this topic, there just is not enough medical research done on marijuana use for the average adult to consider it a safe thing to utilize recreationally. Utilizing this thought process, however, tobacco and alcohol are just as bad, yet are allowed for use in all 50 states. There are many pros and cons to this decision, and I believe that is the reason it has not been looked into to legalize since it became a topic in 1937. Seeing both sides of this has made me indecisive, thinking of the effects it can cause among families until we have a better understanding of cannabis use. Until then, topics like these are very beneficial to discuss and talk to people of opposing views to gain insight on why those with opposing views have them, and can lead to educational conversation.