Cons of Legalizing Recreational Marijuana Use
The legalization of marijuana, used both medicinally and recreationally, is left up to individual states to decide whether it should be decriminalizedMJBizDaily reports, “California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996. Since then, the medical use of cannabis has been legalized in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Recreational or adult use of cannabis is also legal in D.C. and 19 states.”
Despite the growing acceptance, decriminalizing marijuana should be a federal issue, and it should not be legal to use recreationally.
Although researchers differ in their stances on whether marijuana is considered a “gateway drug,” it has every ability to be one and opens the door for those who use marijuana to transition into heavier substances.
National Institute on Drug Abuse, in a research report on marijuana as a gateway drug, says, “ … a study using longitudinal data from the National Epidemiological Study of Alcohol Use and Related Disorders found that adults who reported marijuana use during the first wave of the survey were more likely than adults who did not use marijuana to develop an alcohol use disorder within three years … Marijuana use is also linked to other substance use disorders including nicotine addiction.”
Picture this: You start eating an apple every day. At first, because it’s a new addition to your diet, it’s going to taste good, and you may even look forward to eating one daily. However, the more apples you eat, the more undesirable they become — forcing you to look for alternative snacks.
Now put marijuana in the place of the fruit: The more frequent it becomes, the less satisfying it’s going to be, and the more likely you will want to try something else to experience that first-time high.
The CDC outlines the short- and long-term effects marijuana has on the brain as well as how it affects one’s mental health.
According to the CDC, the use of marijuana within 24 hours “has an immediate impact on thinking, attention, memory, coordination, movement, and time perception.” Long-term, the drug affects brain development (most notably in those who are under the age of 18) such as attention, memory and learning.
The CDC also suggests that frequent use of marijuana can cause disorientation, unpleasant thoughts, anxiety, paranoia, depression and even suicide. Temporary psychosis and schizophrenia are also more likely to be developed by those who use marijuana.
Most of all, as Christians, marijuana should remain a criminalized drug because it is not biblical. The Bible does not specifically reference marijuana, but it does give warning to the dangers of drunkenness — both of which have mind-altering compounds.
Ephesians 5:18 says, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,” and 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Thus, like drunkenness, using marijuana inhibits your mental and physical state. It puts you in a vulnerable position that takes your dependency off God and in a temporary place where you rely on worldly things (marijuana) to feel good. But in the end, that need to “feel good” will leave you empty when the high wears off and you’re still left with the same problems as before.
Time and time again, Scripture says to flee from the flesh, for you will only find full satisfaction in life through the love of a perfect Father.
To conclude, the recreational use of marijuana has an impact on society through its ability to be a “gateway drug,” its harmful side effects and the moral issue of altering one’s state of mind.
To which are the reasons I can’t stand by its legalization — I don’t see the benefits, only the harm.
Shank is the Editor-in-Chief. Follow her on Twitter
Weed should be legalized, not gonna lie.
This is such a farce. God created this plant. You are robbing sick people of a natural remedy while pushing your religious, judgmental
Perspective that is not based on science and/or any research on your part. Liberty is a joke. Non-profit making millions of dollars…. While your leader is getting drunk and pimping out young men to his corrupt wife. I feel sorry for you crazy brainwashed people. Go write about the danger of religious brainwashing.
And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.
Genesis 1:29
Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.
Genesis 9:3
Wait … do you get to now translate what God meant by green plant?
Very well written information. It will be helpful to anybody who usess it, as well as me. Keep doing what you are doing – i will definitely read more posts.
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The History of Acupuncture – simple facts with real questions.
#1 – Acupuncture has been practiced in China for more than 3000 years.
# 2 – Archeological Discovery – Otzi man – the tattoo marks seen on the “Ice Man”- who died in about 5300 BCE and whose body was revealed when an Alpine glacier melted. These tattoos might indicate that a form of stimulatory treatment similar to acupuncture developed quite independently of China.
# 3 – The first document of organized system of diagnosis and treatment of acupuncture is The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, dating from about 100 BCE.
# 4 – Many different esoteric theories of diagnosis and treatment emerged, sometimes even contradictory, possibly as competing schools attempted to establish their exclusiveness and influence.
# 5 – During the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), The Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion was published, which forms the basis of modern acupuncture.
# 6 – We have 361 acupuncture points in the human body, like days during the year in our planet. But John Hopkins Medicine source shows number more than 2000 acupuncture points in the human body.
Great Post! It’s important to recognize that the impact of marijuana legalization can vary based on the specific regulatory framework, public health policies, and cultural contexts in different regions. Ongoing research and monitoring are crucial to understanding the long-term effects of legalization on society.
I was struck by a car while working here in Maine as a flagger, I also got from that a traumatic brain injury. This disabling condition leaves in me a state where I can’t take any opioids or controlled pain medication. Which I researched on the reason why, it seems now I’m more at risk becoming an addict then a person without a traumatic brain injury. I made a phone call here and there and found out from the 2023 neurologist conference that was held. The safest way I combat pain is the use of Medical Marijuana. And for me and my opinion it works better than a man made opioids or controlled pain meds
I agree to an extent on this issue but what I don’t agree is how you went from stating facts to putting your opinion based on your religion, the bible may not call it by name but neither does it call by name all other ” drugs” that people use today. We are in an era where people are facing health issues one of the biggest one being cancer. Wouldn’t you consider big pharmaceuticals who sell drugs such as Tylenol, Advil etc. to also have what you called a “getaway ” based off they too have side effects that and are temporarily to feel good and wear of. “Takes your dependency off God and in a temporary place where you rely on worldly things (marijuana) to feel good. But in the end, that need to “feel good” will leave you empty when the high wears off and you’re still left with the same problems as before.” This prescribe medication weren’t and are not at all perfect look at the side effects they cause in the long run such as liver issues. I think if you do a little more research you will find how people have found marijuana beneficial to there health needs. One cant deny marijuana is based plant and is better then taking pharmaceutical now those are killer drugs.