This perspective shows how legalizing marijuana may not be the solution to pain relief and economic hardship. Despite common perceptions, marijuana does have addictive qualities and is a gateway drug. Those who use marijuana before 18 are 4-7% more likely to become addicted to heroin (“Top Ten”). Overall, 30 percent of marijuana users develop some form of dependence. Furthermore, reports show marijuana displays the same symptoms of withdraw as other drugs: cravings, irritability, drowsiness, and anxiety (“Marijuana”). There are also up to 400 unknown, and unpredictable substances in marijuana. Smoking marijuana also irritates the throat like cigarettes, and it produces a heavy cough and airway inflammation (“TopTen”). While keeping in mind the health benefits and threats marijuana offers, it is reasonable to concede marijuana should be legalized for exclusive medical …show more content…
Such drastic effects from delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is what affects the brain’s receptors to create “analgesia” (“Top Ten”). For these reasons, marijuana should be treated with slightly more trepidation than Tylenol. Regarding the claim of economic productivity, President Obama disagrees with legalizing marijuana solely for the economic benefits (“What If”). This is perhaps because marijuana is beneficial to the economy, but it will not help out small businesses. Instead, big businesses may out-perform small stores in selling marijuana. Already there are reports of humble farmers who do not earn much profit from cannabis farming after paying taxes and relators. With reference to crime, drug possession crimes will go down, but cartels and mafia will remain to thrive from other means. According to Robert Almonte who spent 25 years with the El Paso Police Department states no law is “gonna take ‘em out of the criminal activity business” (“What If”). Instead, Almonte inferred cartels will begin competing with government regulations like making their marijuana more potent or less expensive. They also have the option selling harder drugs like cocaine or methamphetamines, or move into new areas such as human