Legalization Of Marijuana

Introduction

The Liberal Government of Canada is poised to make a history in Canada through the legalization of Marijuana. The legalization of this banned drug is a key debate in national and international level. Some supporters of the marijuana legalization argue that being a natural plant and consisting several health benefits, the legalization is justified, the drug is not harmful. In contrast, the critiques of marijuana legalization are arguing that like other banned drugs; it is also harmful to the health and well being of consumers, sometimes which can be fatal (Weitzer, 2012). In this position statement, I am going to select one position and establish the statement by justifying it with other resources.

Presentation of arguments

Marijuana or cannabis is the most unlawful drug used throughout the world, which is frequently used by Canadian teenagers, which introduce structural and functional changes to the brain development, leading to brain damage and cognitive impairment. On the other hand, using marijuana by the teenage group is related to several other psychological and behavioural problems including the initiation and maintenance of tobacco smoking, cannabis dependence and other substance use disorders, depression, psychosis, anxiety, impaired neurological development and diminished educational and career achievements (Grant & Bélanger, 2016). In addition, incidence and prevalence of hospitalization of young teenagers as a result of marijuana consumption is increasing significantly. It also has a significant contribution in increased risk of psychotic disorders and schizophrenia development. The federal government has committed to legalize marijuana in Canada; however, it has become a key debate in the worldwide, due to its negative impact upon the global society, especially the young teenage group.  

However, Cpha.ca (2017) argued that the regulation for banning marijuana is actually unable to prevent young from its usage, instead, several criminal records are building up with Canadians possessing small amount of the drug. Moreover, arresting and prosecuting these kinds of offenses is expensive enough for the Canadian criminal justice system. For minor or non-violent offenses, too many Canadians are being trapped by the Canadian criminal justice system. On the other hand, the illegal drug trade is supporting organized crime and enhanced threats to public safety including hard drugs and human trafficking.

Kalant (2016) claimed that the claims made against the decriminalization and the legalization of marijuana usage should be unsupported and contradicted with strong evidence. The early experience in other jurisdictions is claiming that the legalization process would increase the use of the drug by the adolescents or teenagers, increasing harm. It was argued that the regulation of alcohol usage is not recommending a good model for controlling marijuana usage, as the prevalence of widespread alcohol abuse and associated harm is increasing significantly, especially among young teenagers. The government monopolies of alcohol selling are basically used as a source of revenue instead of being used as a guarding public health and there is no evidence for presuming a different action for marijuana or cannabis.

Position statement

According to my view point, the use of marijuana usage should be banned throughout the nation, legalization should not be entertained because, the drug has several side effects, leading to fatal consequences and the drug does not seem to be used in medical practice, instead of involving a physician. Supporting the argument of Kalant (2016), I would claim that liberating small offenses is the way to promote wider offenses. Rather, the government should invest more fund in strengthening the criminal justice system. From my perspectives, the marijuana usage should be banned for securing the future of the young Canadians, who are the future of the nation. Moreover, according to the other sources, marijuana is a medical plant, having several benefits, but the usage or delivery systems used by the young consumers are harmful; physicians never prescribe to consume cannabis through smoking, the delivery system would directly harm the consumer (www.cbc.ca, 2016). On the other hand, the withdrawal symptoms are also dangerous, sometimes, 6 months rehabilitation becomes unable eliminate the addiction entirely. However, good policy decision making require extensive unbiased information related to the benefit/harm balance for each position. Analyzing both the pros and cons, it is better to eliminate some of the prohibition through decriminalization of marijuana control and postponing the decision of legalizing it, till adequate knowledge is not gathered (Kalant, 2016).

Conclusion

In conclusion it can be said that marijuana is one of the unlawful drug promoting the development of several unwanted physical and psychological issues, especially among young teenagers, on the other hand, it has several medical usages. Analysing the pros and cons and considering the fact that there are significant gap in the information related to the benefit/harm balance of the drug, the legalization should be postponed and some of the prohibition should be decriminalized.

References

Cpha.ca,. (2017). We will legalize, regulate, and restrict access to marijuana. Cpha.ca. Retrieved 27 March 2017, from https://www.cpha.ca/en/policy/statements.aspx

Kalant, H. (2016). A critique of cannabis legalization proposals in Canada. International Journal of Drug Policy, 34, 5-10.

N Grant, C., & E Bélanger, R. (2016). Cannabis and Canada’s children and youth | Position statements and practice points | Cannabis and Canada’s children and youth | Canadian Paediatric Society. Cps.ca. Retrieved 27 March 2017, from https://www.cps.ca/en/documents/position/cannabis-children-and-youth

Weitzer, R. (2012). Legalizing prostitution: From illicit vice to lawful business. NYU Press.