Posted by Perry
A topic that I’ve tried to stay out of has been the war on drugs. The debate has heated up the past couple of years with both sides making their case for why or why not some drugs (predominately marijuana) should/shouldn’t be made legal.
Proponents say that marijuana is, by itself, a harmless drug and that it has medicinal uses that warrant it being legalized. Those who oppose state that legalizing marijuana would lead to more people (the young in particular) using it for recreation. Both sides have valid points.
There are some out there who would benefit from marijuana, such as, certain individuals who are going through cancer treatment. Marijuana relieves the pain of chemo treatments that other drugs that are legal do not work for them as well. People who suffer from glaucoma and anxiety have also benefited from marijuana.
The problem, however, is that those people represent a small number of the population. The fact is that there are a myriad of drugs readily available that help people suffering from the above lead a better lifestyle. For everyone that claims marijuana is the only drug that works for them, there are dozens more who don’t need it. They lead productive lives without marijuana and see no need for legalizing it.
Supporters for legalizing it also state that by making marijuana legal, you take it out of the black market. This simply isn’t true.
Let us assume, for a moment, that marijuana is legalized. All you have to do to obtain it is apply for a medicinal marijuana card and have it prescribed by a doctor. The government monitors the growth and distribution of it and taxes it accordingly. Do you really think that drug dealers and suppliers would stand for the federal government taking money out of their pocket? What would happen would be dealers lower their prices and make it more available since you wouldn’t have to go through the hassle of obtaining a card to get a prescription. The cartels would make sure that they flood the market with cheaper marijuana.
Another problem that I have personally is that legalized drugs would be in the hands of people we count on. Think about it, legalized marijuana would be obtained and used by military personnel, police officers, fire fighters, EMTs, and even the doctor who is going to perform surgery on you today.
“Not going to happen because those entities have random drug testing” they say. The next step after legalizing marijuana would be the same people who clamored for it would involve that bastion of righteousness, the ACLU, to have random drug testing for marijuana deemed unconstitutional. After all, why drug test for a legal drug right?
The bottom line, in my opinion, is that the vast majority who want marijuana legal are not needing it for medicinal purposes, but rather are recreational users who no longer want to get busted for their indulgence.
I’ve seen it first hand – heck I’ve LIVED it. Should marijuana be legalized you would open a pandoras box of trouble. The system would be abused and it would still be available on the street. Just look at controlled drugs such as oxycontin, zanax, valium and others that you can find out there.
Legalizing is not the answer. Therapy and programs to help people with addictions, illness, and mental disorders is the way to really help them. Pain management clinics would be a boon to people and not have them dependent on a drug to function.
As I said earlier, I’ve lived it and seen it first hand. The war on drugs isn’t a waste of money, there is no government conspiracy concerning marijuana – sorry to burst the theorist’s bubble.
I said my peace, take it for what you will.