Back in the mid-1930’s Marijuana was labeled as a drug in every state. My have the times changed. In recent years, the United States have had nearly half of the states in the country reform their Marijuana laws despite Federal Laws. California’s Proposition 215 that was passed back in 1996 was the first bill in the United States of America that had challenged the Federal Law.
In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. Most states require a doctor’s consent to use Marijuana due to health concerns. However, if you happen to find yourself in Colorado or Washington and feel like getting a little high, as long as you are 21 years of age with a valid ID you have the right to smoke Marijuana.
The argument for whether or not this is a good thing or a bad thing will be a debate that will stick around for years to come. On one side you have a potent drug that does involve smoke that damages lungs and can alter judgment. Labeling Marijuana as a gateway drug also adds arguments as to why the drug should stay illegal.
For people that are in favor of the legalization of Marijuana will simply state, why not? Why is weed illegal when grocery stores, drug stores, bars, and liquor stores can sell alcohol and cigarettes that contribute to cancer and diseases? Tobacco causes over 5 million deaths a year according to the CDC, and is on a trend to reach 8 million by the year 2030. Alcohol contributes to multiple diseases, depression, social problems, and let’s not even talk about the statistics behind drunk driving.
So with all theses potential health issues how do those products stay on shelves in stores while Marijuana is seen as a banned substance regardless of its high rate of use? As noted earlier, Colorado and Washington have fought Federal Law and in a sense won that battle with the legalization of recreational use of Marijuana. Those states are benefiting awfully well when it comes to the profit. In the span of January to July in 2014, Colorado brought in nearly $30 million off the sale of recreational Marijuana. When a nation is on the verge of $18 trillion in debt its something to consider.
With Marijuana being legal for recreational use, non-users are starting to consider the green leafy substance. A YouTube video that shows three elderly women all trying Marijuana for the first time shows the effects that the drug can have. The six-minute YouTube video involves a bong, a vaporizer, Jenga, Cards Against Humanity, and a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos. Sounds harmful, huh? Watch the video and see for yourself.
