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Home / MCNTalk / Risks and "Dangers" of Marijuana Legalization?

January 16, 2013

Risks and “Dangers” of Marijuana Legalization?

Overall evidence for dangers of marijuana do not support continued criminalization.

Steadily it appears that its use will be permitted, though there remains a disconnect between state laws liberalizing possession and growing, vs. federal standards that at least as written, continue to criminalize use and distribution.

As the matter evolves, we should not be naïve to the potential risk of users abusing and developing an addiction to marijuana and its potential impact on cognition, and youth, especially when not used in “moderation.”

A New York Times article, “Legalizing of Marijuana Raises Health Concerns,” states:

“While marijuana can be addictive, scientists generally agree that fewer than 10 percent of marijuana smokers become dependent on the drug, compared with 15 percent for alcohol, 23 percent for heroin and 32 percent for tobacco.

Marijuana does contain carcinogens, including tar and other toxins similar to those found in tobacco, but people generally do not smoke marijuana in the same amounts as cigarettes. Still, legalization takes health consumers into murky territory. Even though marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States, questions about its health effects remain.”

Sounds like the same risks, more or less, of many other legal substances, consumed in excess or misused, including alcohol, prescription drugs, and/or firearms. Whether society should outlaw substances and products that can be used with little risk or high damage is a question that is increasingly being answered at the ballot box.

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Tagged: addiction, brain, Drug Abuse, drug abuse, Government Policy, health concerns, Legal Issues, Lifestyle and habits, marijuana legalization, state law 1 Comment

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  1. Peffer D.C. says

    January 16, 2013 at 7:22 pm

    My main concern is the DWI factor, as no real standards have been set. This may be a new target for Mothers against drunk driving, as in WA state with major changes in liquor and marijuana laws. I would expect a dramatic increase in our low level of DWI deaths. Note I am not against alcohol or LTD MJ usage. My fears may be unfounded

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