Ohio became the 24th state to legalize recreational marijuana this past November. Having covered the legal marijuana debate for several years as a writer, I have engaged with more than one person claiming that the ‘debate is over’ and we should just legalize marijuana nationwide. I disagree. My position is that the debate is still valid for a number of very important reasons.
Any debate worth having is rooted in facts and reality rather than mere emotion. And when you look at the facts surrounding the marijuana space, there are enough red flags to warrant a healthy debate over the direction our country should take. It is not time to wave the white flag and open the floodgates to marijuana consumption without restriction.
Health-Related Data is Inconclusive
One of the major points marijuana proponents focus on is that marijuana is less harmful than tobacco and alcohol. The limited data we currently have seems to support such thinking. However, that doesn’t make marijuana completely harmless. It does not mean marijuana can be used without any detrimental health impacts.
Our current body of knowledge about marijuana is inconclusive. But there is enough data to give us pause. In fact, I read two studies today that discuss a link between consistent marijuana consumption and an elevated risk of cardiovascular problems like heart failure and stroke. If daily marijuana consumption could increase your chances of heart failure by 34%, isn’t that worth more attention?
Marijuana and Adolescent Consumption
As long as we’re talking about studies, I read another study demonstrating a clear link between adolescent marijuana consumption and negative impacts on the brain. The researchers in this particular study didn’t just surmise after conducting a survey and reading individual responses. They looked at actual MRI images of nearly 800 brains. They could see the damage in the brains of consistent cannabis users.
The growing body of evidence indicating that cannabis consumption among adolescents is likely harmful underscores why states like Utah are reluctant to approve medical cannabis for children, except under certain circumstances. It is why Salt Lake City’s Beehive Farmacy can only sell to parents of minors who have medical cannabis cards approved by the state’s Compassionate Use Board.
The Black Market Still Exists
Marijuana legalization proponents are known to claim that legalization removes the incentive to grow or sell marijuana illegally. As the reasoning goes, legalization should lead to a reduction in marijuana-related crimes. It does, but only in the context of arresting and prosecuting consumers for possessing and distributing small amounts. Legalization at the state level has done nothing to hinder the black market.
Anyone who doubts that need only look at California. Despite having the largest legal cannabis market among all 50 states, California’s black market still outperforms the legal market by a wide margin. The Golden state is very liberal when it comes to marijuana legalization. And yet the black market thrives there. Growers and dealers still make millions selling illegal marijuana on the street because they can do so cheaper than legal operators.
The Social Factor
Last but not least is the social factor. There are still plenty of people uneasy about the idea of using any mind-altering substance simply for the purpose of getting intoxicated. Being intoxicated can lead to all sorts of problems, problems that have been well documented for decades. So there are genuine concerns about making marijuana as legal as alcohol. Those concerns are worth discussing in detail.
No, the marijuana debate is not over. It is alive, well, and quite valid. Let us not try to sweep it under the rug.