Controversial Issue: Cannabis Legalization - Essay Example

Cannabis Legalization Legalization of cannabis is among the most controversial issues in many countries because both parties debating are firm in their stance concerning either its continued prohibition or its legalization. On one hand, there are those who support legalization stating that it is essential for society to adopt less prohibitive policies as a means of bringing cannabis use under control. The other side has taken a stance declaring that legalization is immoral because it will increase cannabis usage, which might lead to a public health crisis. Legalization of cannabis is more useful to society than its prohibition because it allows for its regulation as well as restriction for minors by the government. Permitting cannabis is the best way to ensure that there is proper government regulation for this substance. Regulations that will result from legalization will include licensing producers as well as establishing controls concerning distribution, consumption and circumstances under which this substance can be used (Reinarman 28). Furthermore, through legalization, the government can be able to raise much needed revenues which it can use to fund and implement its programs. Through establishment of regulations, it will be possible to control how cannabis is used and this will ensure that there is responsible and limited use to such an extent that this substance does not become harmful to the health of its users. In addition, cannabis can be used for medicinal purposes based on recent research that has shown that cannabis can be used for the treatment of certain diseases. This substance has been discovered to be useful in treating such conditions as hernia among many others and it has been argued that to legalize it would ensure its wide distribution among those individuals who need it most (Van Den Brink 122). Legalizing cannabis on medical grounds has achieved a lot of momentum in recent years as several states across the United States have come to legalize it based on this argument. As a result, there have developed many different spots for selling cannabis to individuals which have been licensed and approved. However, those who argue against legalizing cannabis based on medical grounds have questioned its potential as a means of either healing or alleviating pain. They argue that using a substance which is known to have many harmful effects on its users in treatment is morally wrong and that alternatives to cannabis exist or can be found. While the latter arguments have been noted, legalizing cannabis for medicinal purposes has taken root in the United States and it is likely to be a first step in making this substance completely legal. Prohibiting cannabis use has led to a situation of almost no control over its use by the government especially among youths who use it as a means of defiance against established law and law enforcement. Furthermore, as a result of a lack of regulation, cannabis production is left within control of criminal gangs and cartels whose main aim is to make a profit which at the same time selling cannabis alongside other substances. In some cases, cannabis prohibition has made it possible for young people, especially those underage, to have more access to this substance than alcohol (Simons-Morton and Pickett 64). Therefore, legalizing cannabis will make possible an establishment of control over this substance by the government while at the same time protecting underage individuals from gaining access to it. Legalizing and regulating cannabis should be done in a similar manner to alcohol ensuring that there is limited commercial production while at the same time allowing production for domestic use. In addition, legalization will allow government to ensure quality control and potency of cannabis is conducted so that only its best quality can be allowed into the market (Reinarman 30). Finally, the government will be able to have tight control over advertisement of cannabis as well as places where it can be used, and those who can have access to it. In this way, it is possible to establish controls over minors gaining access to cannabis while making sure that this substance is closely monitored to prevent its becoming a health problem in society. Decriminalization of cannabis will ensure more responsible use in society since this substance is normally used by many individuals because it is prohibited, making it scarce. In case it were more readily available, it is argued that there would not be much interest in it from individuals and this will ensure that there is a decrease in usage (Van Den Brink 123). However, if the current prohibitive laws continue to be in place, it will become more difficult to bring about a decrease in usage because prohibition encourages individuals to partake more of this substance. This in contrast to cannabis prohibition advocates who state that legalization will lead to an increase in consumption because the substance will be more available. Furthermore, underage individuals will come to have more access to cannabis as a result of legalization, with this substance ending up having significant harmful effects on their mental and physical wellbeing. Legalizing cannabis would be detrimental for society since cannabis is a harmful drug, which should not be allowed into the hands of individuals because to do so would mean that the government would be abdicating its duty in ensuring its citizens’ safety (Wodak 60). Moreover, legalization is countered by prohibitionists who believe it would create a moral dilemma for all responsible individuals in society who, despite seeing the harmful effects of cannabis, will have their hands tied concerning taking action against its use. Despite arguments made concerning the negative effects of prohibition, there are those who believe that prohibition is necessary because it makes possible keeping this substance from most of the society. Legalizing it might bring about a situation where, despite numerous regulations on it, there will be those who, though restricted, will gain access to it. Lifting prohibitions by legalizing cannabis will make a bad situation even worse because traditional societal values concerning the use of harmful substances will come to be ignored. In countering the push for legalization, prohibition advocates have professed their belief that legalization and establishment of regulations over cannabis will not make much of a difference in its use. They state that legalization will make this substance even more abundant in society and this will most likely make regulations difficult to implement. It would be better to continue prohibiting cannabis rather than legalizing it because prohibition will make the government’s work much easier in keeping most of society safe from its harmful effects. In conclusion, legalization of cannabis will not change the attitudes of individuals towards this substance and will also not lead to an increase in its usage. Furthermore, cannabis is a substance which, even without being legalized, is used by a significant percentage of the population and its continued prohibition will more likely only increase its usage. In addition, it is extremely difficult for the government to control the distribution and production of cannabis without first legalizing, then regulating it. Prohibiting this substance has not worked for many decades because it is still more easily available than alcohol in some areas. To continue prohibition is more likely to end up in complete failure and it would be more logical for the government to accept cannabis as a substance that is widely used. Finally, it is essential for the government to ensure that it follows its legalization of cannabis with strict regulations because it is the only way that it can achieve the goal of responsible use as well as preventing an increase in use within society. Works Cited Reinarman, Craig. “Cannabis policies and user practices: Market separation, price, potency, and accessibility in Amsterdam and San Francisco.” International Journal of Drug Policy 20 (2009): 28-37. Print Simons-Morton, Bruce and Pickett, William. “Cross-national comparison of adolescent drinking and cannabis use in the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands.” International Journal of Drug Policy 21 (2010): 64-69. Print Van Den Brink, Wim. “Decriminalization of Cannabis.” Current Opinion in Psychiatry 21 (2008): 122-126. Print Wodak, Alex. Drug Prohibition: A Call for Change. Kensington, Paddington NSW: UNSW Press, 1996.Print Read More