The Legalization of Marijuana Will Inaugurate

The Demise of our country:

Our world today is addicted to drugs; as of 1971, when Nixon declared war on drugs, the
USA began revolving around the crisis stemming from harmful addictive substances. The
biggest mistake we can make in terms of dealing with our junkie country is legalize yet another
addictive and destructive substance. The legalization of marijuana is not only detrimental, it is a
catastrophic mistake that would result in more habitual addiction to destructive drugs, as well
as more youth experimentation.
Legalizing marijuana would increase illegal usage, as proven in the past. The common
belief is that the legalization of marijuana would be beneficial, because it would be regulated,
but this is completely false. Look at gambling; according to CNBC, Legalized gambling has not
reduced illegal gambling in the United States; rather, it has increased it. (Why We Should Not
Legalize Marijuana) This in turn relates to the idea of marijuana, The gambling precedent
suggests strongly that illegal drug suppliers would thrive by selling more potent marijuana
products outside of the legal channels that would be taxed and otherwise restricted. If marijuana
were legalized, the only way to eliminate its illegal trade, which is modest in comparison to that
of cocaine, would be to sell marijuana untaxed and unregulated to any willing buyer. (Why We
Should Not Legalize Marijuana) Legalizing marijuana will result in more toxic strains of the drug and
more illegal use. It is pertinent that the already dangerous substance does not become more
dangerous, and that we do not encourage more illegal usage.
Our drug-dependent mess of a country does not need another legal substance hooking
its citizens. In this country we have tobacco, opiates, and alcohol legalized, the last thing we
need is to legalize yet another destructive, addictive drug. John Hawkins, publicist and
renowned author, states, That's like saying you've got a bad back and a bad shoulder; so why
not break your kneecap to top it all off. The basic logic behind the legalization is based on
fallacies. According to CNBC, Marijuana is currently the leading cause of substance
dependence other than alcohol in the U.S. In 2008, marijuana use accounted for 4.2 million of
the 7 million people aged 12 or older classified with dependence on or abuse of an illicit drug.
This means that about two thirds of Americans suffering from any substance use disorder are
suffering from marijuana abuse or marijuana dependence. This awful drug is addictive. If it gets
legalized it will create more drug dependent citizens. Marijuana legalization would be the
demise of our country, resulting in outrageous numbers of incarcerated and addicted citizens.
The legalization of marijuana as a whole is detrimental and cataclysmic to our nation.
Genetically and biologically speaking, drug dependence is more likely for certain individuals.
Certain people are born with a genetic potential for addiction, in these cases marijuana is highly
addictive. Dr. Drew Pinsky, a doctor who has been working with addicts for 20 years, says, It is
extremely addictive...for some people. I think that's where people get confused. It's not very

addictive for many people. It's a small subset of people with a genetic potential for addiction.
...Of the 7.3 million persons aged 12 or older classified with illicit drug dependence or abuse in
2012, 4.3 million persons

had marijuana dependence or abuse." John Hawkins concludes, The

more legal and available marijuana becomes, the higher those numbers are going to go. If
marijuana gets legalized it will result in higher addiction rates. The exposure would as well result
in higher youth usage (Pinsky). CNBC has the same perspective and shaws a different light on
the repercussions, New marijuana users would not be limited to adults if marijuana were
legalized, just as regulations on alcohol and tobacco do not prevent use by youth. Rapidly
accumulating new research shows that marijuana use is associated with increases in a range of
serious mental and physical problems. Lack of public understanding on this relationship is
undermining prevention efforts and adversely affecting the nations youth and their families. As
history has shown if the drug becomes legal and more accessible, more children will begin
using the drug and harming themselves and the people around them. This is highly alarming.
Not only will we have more addicts we will have more children users. If marijuana becomes legal
it will have detrimental consequences for not only adults, but for children as well.
The pertinence of this situation cannot be emphasized enough. It is absurd that our
country is even contemplating legalizing marijuana. There are no benefits of legalizing
marijuana; it would result in more illegal usage as well as more drug dependent people.
Marijuana cannot be legalized because, it would result in more habitual addiction to destructive
drugs, as well as more youth experimentation.

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