My concerns with Marijuana Legalisation
Posted Oct 19, 2019 01:54 PM
First of all, a little disclaimer: This is an opinion piece, feel free to disagree as loud as you like in the comments. I'd also like to make it very clear that I couldn't care less whether or not it's legalised to any extent or in any form. If it is, I'm glad that the people who will benefit are going to be pleased with accessibility. If it isn't, welp... I can't imagine stops trying anytime soon so I guess it's just a matter of time. Doesn't effect me. However, I'm a vocal little c*nt so I'm going to use this blog posts to discuss my concerns on the idea from a nation-loving perspective.Accessibility and Similar Failures.
A major concern of mine for recreational legalisation is the negative effects that we may see in the wider community. In Australia, we already have issues with alcoholism. In America, there's a very large issue with prescription opioids. When you provide your society with accessibility to an outlet that can be abused, it almost always will. And that's not the blame of the individual, everyone has hardship in various forms and those with preconceived mental issues can often fall victim. Not that Marijuana is harmful in the same way as opioids or even alcohol. But it's an outlet in itself and I can see it being abused.
Other similar vices I can already see in society are; gambling, cigarettes and coffee. All are legal and generally acceptable in society, but none are ever going to give a net benefit to any of their indulgers. I know this can be dismantled as nit-picking, but honestly; do you think you'd be a more productive member of society as a recreational user of weed? If yes, I'd love to hear your argument. But when I personally think of stoners, which obviously doesn't apply to all who partake, I tend to automatically associate them with counter-productive members of the community. Outside of being a painkiller, anxiety alternative or seizure "cure" I don't see how this drug can really do all that good for people. The way I see it, it's just going to be another thing for people to fall back into as a means to dissolve their problems with reality.
It's addictive. Period.
While I respect that you cannot build a chemical reliance or dependancy on marijuana I find it absurd that anyone would insist that it's not something that has an addictive nature about it. If you enjoy something, you are prone to build an addictive habit out of whatever that activity is. Hell, when I was 14 I was probably considered addicted to jerking off. That's just what happens when you're introduced to something that gives you a positive experience. Though by 16, I had other interests. In conversation with friends, they've described their experience with weed products to be very similar.
I respect that it's a lot easier to quit than most products labeled as addictive, such as cigarettes. However, introducing a new product into society that can easily consume the priorities of people is NOT healthy. I stated in the introduction that I've come to these concerns as a nation-loving person. And as such, I think a product such as marijuana would be destructive overall to the productivity of the jurisdiction in which it's administered freely.
Regulation and Homogeneous Product
This is more of a governing body issue than anything inherently wrong with marijuana itself. However, a major concern I have with the legalisation of these products is the additional forms of regulation and oversight that would be required. The closest I can imagine it being modelled on is that of Agricultural Regulation, as it is essentially a plant. However, that' a big challenge in itself. How will the government ensure the sale of a homogenous product to consumers? When you buy food, your label lists all the ingredients and health information. When you're prescribed a medication, you're evaluated for safe use of the medication. Regulation such as this is all designed to protect the people. I think there's a lot more still to be debated over than "just legalise it" advocates realise.
In conclusion, as the title states: these are only concerns. I do hope that whoever takes to legislating legalisation in whatever form is able to take them into account.
