Marijuana: Should It Be Legal?

By Veronica Wainman

Imagine a society where the use of marijuana is not only socially acceptable, but legal. A society where it is not out of the ordinary to be standing on a street corner and bum a joint like you would a cigarette. If marijuana is legalized in the United States, instead of being a far-fetched fantasy, this could become reality.

While this may be an idyllic situation for those who support the legalization of marijuana, not everyone shares those feelings. Thomas Malinski is concerned that the legalization of marijuana will incite situations where people who do not use the drug will be forced to feel its effects in the same way people must deal with second hand smoke from cigarette smokers. “I don’t smoke, and I really don’t want to be ok for someone to just smoke pot anywhere they want and I am just forced to deal with it,” Malinski said.

One of the reasons Amber Raymond does not agree with the legalization of marijuana, is because she fears that legalizing the drug will cause an increase in people driving and engaging in other dangerous activities while under the influence. “I think that if people don’t have to worry about being arrested for possession or smoking pot, that they won’t be as worried about being caught doing something high,” Raymond said.

According to Jerimy Blowers, Director of Health at Plattsburgh State, the ability to function normally is impaired when under the influence of marijuana. “Users may experience a lack of judgment, loss of peripheral vision, loss of coordination, and cognitive impairments,” Blowers said. People who try to carry out everyday tasks while high pose a risk to themselves, and to those affected by their actions.

The second hand smoke from marijuana use will also pose a health to risk to those exposed to people smoking, much like second hand smoke from cigarettes cause’s health problems. According to Crista McGraw, a registered nurse, the smoke produced by marijuana gives off seven times as much tar as cigarette smoke. “Individuals who choose to smoke marijuana can also exacerbate pre-existing conditions such as respiratory problems, and increase their risk of getting cancer,” McGraw said. Second hand smoke extends these risks beyond those who make the choice to smoke to those who are exposed to it through others use.

Another reason Malinski opposes the legalization of marijuana is because she feels that even if regulations are set forth to prevent the use of the drug by underage kids, they will still gain access to it. “Being underage doesn’t stop kids from buying cigarettes, so I doubt that it’s going to stop kids from finding someone to buy pot for them,” Malinski said.

Raymond agrees and does not think that legalizing the drug is going to put a stop to teen drug use. “Underage kids who are finding a way to buy the drug now when it is legal are going to have an even easier time buying it when all the have to do is find someone over eighteen who is willing to go into a store and buy it for them,” Raymond said.

McGraw believes that while the drug is still illegal it is acting as a stepping stone towards other drugs, and the legalization will only increase that pattern. “I think legalizing marijuana and making it easy accessible is only going to lead to the more frequent usage of marijuana and eventually harder drugs with worse effects on the body.”