420: Regulate after legalization

If the U.S. completely legalizes marijuana for recreational use and commercial production, the government must implement legal safeguards for consumption.

Like most other mind-altering drugs, marijuana impairs coordination, perception and judgment, which can cause dangerous accidents. As such, our laws would have to be tailored to the times and places marijuana could be consumed. Of course, being under the influence of marijuana while driving would be illegal, just as being under the influence of alcohol is now.

The idea of driving under the influence also implies a certain age for consumption. Although traditionally smoked as a joint, marijuana should not be legal at the age of 18. Instead, since it alters perception like alcohol, marijuana should be legal for those 21 years and older. (Then, teenagers would have double the reason to look forward to their 21st birthday!)

In addition, strict laws must be passed in anticipation of trafficking to minors. Marijuana stunts emotional growth, effectively perpetuating a stage of arrested development. This moratorium might affect young users in their future as well because they will not have learned things at the appropriate age.

Because of marijuana’s numerous adverse effects, potential marijuana users should have to be evaluated by a doctor before being approved to consume it. Long-term  use of marijuana might cause addiction and increase rates of anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, paranoia and schizophrenia. These are very serious effects that must be taken into account.

Because marijuana’s effects on users can vary greatly between individuals, a doctor would be able to identify possible effects. Individuals can vary in their predispositions for mental diseases, and marijuana can exacerbate some diseases. However, if approved by a doctor, the user should be able to freely buy and consume the drug.

As is the case with alcohol, pregnant women should be strongly encouraged not to use marijuana because of the negative effects on the fetus. As well as having poor memory and ability to concentrate, children of heavy marijuana users could have higher risks of leukemia, according to one study.

However, the legalization and commercialization of marijuana could make consumption safer and easier.

Traditionally and most commonly, marijuana is smoked, which increases users’ heart rates by 20 to 100 percent shortly after inhalation. This can last for three hours after consumption, and users have an almost five-fold increased risk of suffering a heart attack in the first hour after smoking.

In addition, marijuana smoke contains 50 to 70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than does tobacco smoke. With habitual use, this greatly increases chances of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases associated with smoking tobacco.

Legalization would offer better ways to consume marijuana’s active ingredient, THC. Pot brownies and space butter would be a welcome alternative to smoking. Also, an over-the-counter version of Marinol, a pill containing THC, wouldn’t have smoking’s detriments.

Like that of Marinol, the sale of marijuana and other THC products should be precisely regulated for the amount of THC so users can know what effects to expect.

Overall, legalization will positively increase awareness and knowledge of the drug.


E-mail: yzchaudh@indiana.edu