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Importance of Marijuana Legalization for recreational use in Florida

The debate on the legalization of marijuana continues to take shape in America and the

respective states. The uses of the plant range from medicinal use to recreational use. Countries

and cities globally are in the process of legalizing and decriminalizing the use of marijuana such

as Canada where recreational use of marijuana is legal. However, in America, the selling and use

of cannabis is illegal and punishable under federal laws which include incarceration. As a result,

the legalization process has been left to the respective states. Although some states have already

legalized the use including Washington, Colorado, it is still illegal to in trade in marijuana in

Florida. Lawmakers have introduced the bill the seeks to legalize and regulate the use of

marijuana for adults aged 21 years and above. The decriminalization process in Florida has been

ongoing since 2015. As a result, several cities and counties have decriminalized possession of

marijuana. This includes Miami-Dade County, Tampa, Key West, Orlando, and Sarasota where

police are allowed to give citations and fines instead of making arrests for persons in possession

of fewer than 20 grams of marijuana. This is a significant step towards the legalization

considering existing harsher punishments, which include jail term not exceeding 15 years.

Whereas there those that support the legalization for recreational use citing economic benefits,

decrease in teenage usage, there those who oppose the idea due to associated adverse health

effects. Despite negative health effects, the legalization of marijuana will boost the economy,

decrease in teen marijuana use and arrests and marijuana use is better than alcohol and cigarette

use.

Alcohol consumption and tobacco can be considered among the American traditions. For

centuries, people have been smoking and drinking. Mainly, tobacco smoking is a multi-billion

business which continues to strive despite the adverse health effects associated with the habit.
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According to research, smoking is the leading cause of lung and throat cancer (Ray et al.).

Withdrawal symptoms from tobacco range from depression, anxiety and lack of sleep. Similarly,

the use of alcohol has significantly increased in recent years, leading to an increase in reported

cases of alcohol abuse disorder. Alcohol abuse is directly related to the rise in domestic violence,

rape cases and depression (Palmer et al.). Despite the known harmful effects, it is legal to use

both alcohol and tobacco. In an experiment conducted by Lachenmeier to investigate riskier

drugs concluded that both smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol were categorized as higher risk

as opposed to marijuana. According to CDC, tobacco smoking is the leading cause of deaths,

with an annual estimation of 480, 000 deaths in the United States alone in addition to 41, 000

deaths resulting from passive smoking (Siu). This shows that cannabis use is less dangerous,

considering that no reports are linking the use of cannabis and death or marijuana overexposure.

Legalization of cannabis presents a substantial economic boost to both the state as well as

traders and growers. According to Golzar, criminalization of marijuana costs the state of Florida

approximately $145.7 million yearly, when factoring in known variables which include police,

judicial and corrections budget. However, legalization of marijuana would eliminate the burden

and instead generate revenue through taxation as well as create employment opportunities. For

instance, Colorado which is one of the leading states in recreational marijuana use reported that

legal cannabis led to the creation of more than 18,005 full-time jobs and injected approximately

$302 million in taxes and the sale within the states totalling about $1.7 billion in 2019

(Investopedia). The findings are further supported by the Colorado State University, which

reported that the legal marijuana business contributed more than $80.8 million to the state’s

economy in 2017 through taxation and fees. Similarly, Massachusetts Cannabis Control

Commission reported the sale of marijuana generated $393.7 million in gross sales (Ethan et al.).
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Legal cannabis presents an opportunity for economic growth at both local and national level

through investment portfolios. Currently, due to federal status on the use of marijuana, few

companies publically trade on stock related to marijuana. Therefore, legalization of cannabis

opens up the opportunity that attracts investment portfolios.

Additionally, the legalization of marijuana leads to reduced teen marijuana use (Sarvet et

al.). Studies at the Washington University School of Medicine reported that the “the rate of

Marijuana use by young people is falling even though more US states are legalizing or

decriminalizing marijuana use and the number of adults using the drug has increased (Jim).” The

use of cannabis among 8th graders in Washington state declined after the 2012 legalization from

9.8 per cent to 7.3 per cent between 2014 and 2016 as reported by RAND 2018 report. Similarly,

according to the Center for Disease control the use of marijuana teens in the US had significantly

decreased from 15.8% in 2002 to 13.1% in 2014 (Justin). A research conducted in Colorado state

reported a 12% decline in teenage marijuana use two years after adult-use legalization, according

to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The Marijuana Policy Project argues that

multiple studies have proven that marijuana legalization does not increase teenage use; instead,

statistics show a continuance decline as reported in Colorado and Washington. Therefore, the

legalization of marijuana in Florida is likely to experience similar trends.

Moreover, legal marijuana contributes to the improvement of consumer safety. Currently,

individuals buying cannabis from the streets do not know the quality of the products, which

could have mold, fungus or pesticides. Ingesting any of this substance may cause serious

complications, thus risking one’s life. However, legalization will allow the government and the

relevant agencies to enforce laboratory testing and regulations that make sure the marijuana is

free of toxins. For instance, in Washington, manufacturers are required to print health warnings,
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assure quality and label the concentration of THC and essential regulations for users. All the

states with legal cannabis passed laws that protect children from exposure in addition to child-

resistant packaging.

Furthermore, the legalization of marijuana will result in a decrease in arrests. Statistics

show that more than half a million arrests are made annually concerning cannabis use in the US

(Caliner et al.). Young marijuana users, who are either black or Latino, are more likely to be

jailed for cannabis use compared to their white counterparts. This is attributable to the social

conditions such as living in high prone crime areas in the community that constantly attracts

police who often use “stop-question-frisk” tactics that seek to prevent gun-carrying. Instead,

individuals might be the arrest of cannabis possession. Additionally, more arrests are likely to be

made under traffic offence for driving under the influence. This is despite studies indicating that

drivers under marijuana influence are more careful and are likely to take fewer risks compared to

those under alcohol influence (Anderson & Rees). This includes avoiding speeding, overtaking

and making fewer lane changes. In a fact sheet on the impact of cannabis use posted on National

Highway Traffic and Safety administration site claim that drivers may be able to improve

performance for some time to overcompensate self-perceived impairment.

Similarly, studies show that the use of marijuana has numerous health benefits, including

medicinal benefits (Hill). Cannabis users often experience varying bodily reactions from using

drugs. Cannabis users reported an overall increase in happiness, cramp suppression for women,

decreased anxiety, stress and depression as well as reduced pain for patients. Furthermore, most

patients suffering from terminal diseases such as cancer and HIV/AIDS reported improved

conditions in terms of pain management. Such benefits are significant in reducing human

suffering, and legalization of marijuana would make them available to any person experiencing
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pain or for stress management. Additionally, using cannabis may be a cheaper option compared

to the use of chemically manufactured drugs such as opioid among others which are considered

addictive.

However, legalization of marijuana may result in negative health effects to the users.

Cannabis comprises of hundreds of chemical substances which most have not been explored

(Pertwee). For example, marijuana contains a psycho-altering pharmacologic compound called

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is believed to affect cannabinoid receptors in addition to

other receptors such as opioid, benzodiazepine, GABAergic and dopaminergic (Pertwee).

Additionally, the use of marijuana impacts on perception, cognition and memory, including the

feeling euphoria and relaxed and difficulty in focusing, thinking impairment and alteration and

ability to solve problems. Additionally, heavy and regular marijuana users may experience panic

attacks, constant hallucinations in addition to depression. Imaging research reported a decrease in

brain volume in chronic users of marijuana (Filbey).

Also, marijuana smoke contains multiple chemicals and carcinogens that contributes to

more direct and harmful smoke compared to cigarette’s smoke. Even though cannabis can be

taken in different ways including chewing, inhaling or consumption through food or liquid, once

absorbed THC has a prolonged life. It remains in the body for some time, releasing

pharmacodynamics effects for a more extended period. Similarly, the use of cannabis poses a

risk to users across the life-span. Pregnant women that smoke or ingest marijuana may

negatively affect their unborn children’s cognitive development. Also, availability and more

access to cannabis may expose teenagers to the harmful cognitive effects of THC. The use of

marijuana by adolescents may result in addiction in later years, especially in genetically

predisposed persons (Agrawal).

In conclusion, benefits associated with the legalization of marijuana outweigh the

negative health effects related to the use. Some drugs such as are alcohol and tobacco are much

worse than marijuana, yet they are legal. Additionally, legalization of cannabis will lead to

economic boost within the state. This is due to the increase in revenue generation through

taxation as well as the creation of employment opportunities. Also, fewer taxpayers’ resources

will be used in enforcing the laws that prohibit the use or possession of cannabis. Instead, the

fund will be used in other critical investments that benefit the state. Studies have shown that

there is a positive correlation between the decrease in teenage use of marijuana and the

legalization of marijuana. Additionally, legal marijuana will result in reduced arrests during law

enforcement, which often propagate and contribute to racial disparities. Finally, the legalization

of marijuana will help in ensuring consumer safety. This is because agencies will ensure

maximum quality for human consumption. Clearly, legalization of marijuana is more beneficial

to the state and community as opposed to when it is illegal.

Works Cited

Agrawal, Arpana, and Michael T. Lynskey. "Are there genetic influences on addiction: evidence

from family, adoption and twin studies." Addiction 103.7 (2008): 1069-1081.

Carliner, Hannah, et al. "Cannabis use, attitudes, and legal status in the US: a

review." Preventive medicine 104 (2017): 13-23.

D. Mark Anderson and Daniel I. Rees, "The Legalization of Recreational Marijuana: How Likely

Is the Worst-Case Scenario?," ist.psu.edu

Ethan, Xavier, et al. "Impact of Marijuana (Cannabis) on Health, Safety and Economy."

Filbey, Francesca M., et al. "Long-term effects of marijuana use on the brain." Proceedings of

the National Academy of Sciences 111.47 (2014): 16913-16918.

Golzar, Taliya I. An Economic Analysis of Marijuana Legalization in Florida. Diss. Duke

University Durham, 2015.

Hill, Kevin P. "Medical marijuana for treatment of chronic pain and other medical and

psychiatric problems: a clinical review." Jama 313.24 (2015): 2474-2483.

Jim Dryden, "As More States Legalize Marijuana, Adolescents' Problems with Pot Decline,"

wustl.edu, May 24, 2016

Justin Gardner, "CDC Study Shows Pot Legalization Dramatically Decreases Drug Use,"

mintpressnews.com, Sep. 8, 2016

Marijuana Policy Project, "Teen Marijuana Use Does Not Increase Following Marijuana Policy

Reforms," mpp.org

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "Cannabis/Marijuana (Delta 9

-Tetrahydrocannabinol, THC)," nhtsa.go

Palmer, Rebekka S., et al. "Coercive sexual experiences, protective behavioral strategies, alcohol

expectancies and consumption among male and female college students." Journal of

interpersonal violence 25.9 (2010): 1563-1578.

RAND Office of Media Relations, "Adolescent Marijuana Use Fell After Legalization in

Washington; Study Highlights Need to Use Better Data to Follow Youth Use Trends,"

rand.org, Dec. 19, 2018

Ray, Gabrielle, Donald E. Henson, and Arnold M. Schwartz. "Cigarette smoking as a cause of

cancers other than lung cancer: an exploratory study using the Surveillance,

Epidemiology, and End Results Program." Chest 138.3 (2010): 491-499.

Sarvet, Aaron L., et al. "Recent rapid decrease in adolescents’ perception that marijuana is

harmful, but no concurrent increase in use." Drug and alcohol dependence 186 (2018):

68-74.

Siu, Albert L. "Behavioral and pharmacotherapy interventions for tobacco smoking cessation in

adults, including pregnant women: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation

statement." Annals of internal medicine 163.8 (2015): 622-634.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, "National Survey on Drug Use and

Health: Comparison of 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 Population Percentages," samhsa.gov