Marijuana in America: Legalization, Historical Injustice, and Adverse Health Impact Controversies

MARIJUANA IN AMERICA Shift Towards Marijuana Legalization, the Historical Injustice, and Adverse Health Impact Controversies The rising marijuana use in the United States has stirred mixed political reactions about legalizing or maintaining the criminalized status of the substance. Statistics reveal that by 2015, 8.3% of Americans over twelve years were using the drug demonstrating the magnitude of the issue. Yu et al. further recognize that the discussions about marijuana have largely remained divisive and heated throughout the decades leading to the emergence of its decriminalization movement in the 1960s. Although many lawmakers involved in the past federal laws emphasized controlled approaches while dealing with this drug, politicians have depicted a change of viewpoints with an inclination to lift numerous barriers in its use and handling today. The ongoing changes have uncovered underlying controversies due to disregarded adverse effects and social justice issues for minorities as supporters of the changes focus on the popularized economic potential and medical and recreational uses of cannabis. While the scientific benefits and economic gains are shifting the political perspectives, politicians are increasingly overlooking the controversial outcomes of legalizing marijuana, including the historical injustices and adverse health impacts.             Increasing recognition of medical and recreational uses of marijuana has significantly influenced the ongoing changes in viewpoints by the political class. Van Green reports that a sizeable proportion of the American population has demonstrated its support for these uses. For instance, research confirms that up to 88% of American adults indicate that the government should legalize the drug for recreational and medical purposes. Adding to Van Green’s claims, I find such support for legalizing the drug consistent with the rising shift in marijuana-related perspectives among the political class. Van Green argues that approximately 73% of Democrats and 45% of Republicans consider using marijuana for recreational and medical purposes acceptable. Perhaps, this increased shift has occurred due to the widespread recognition of these underexplored aspects of the drug in the public space. In this context, the masses seem to have played a fundamental role in influencing the views of their representatives, leading to more support politically.             The political class argues that favorable research findings by reputable scientific institutions have contributed to this change. For instance, Page et al. note that cannabis’ multiple compounds, including cannabidiol and Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, have proven the presence of medical properties in this drug. Recent studies reveal that users draw diverse medical benefits, including vomiting and nausea treatment, pain relief, and anxiety. Other reported benefits comprise its use in preventing and treating various cancers, heart failure, dystonia, epilepsy, and cachexia, among other health conditions. The numerous benefits associated with cannabis use have prompted a scientific movement advocating for lifting the existing legal hurdles to facilitate the continued exploitation of these gains. Van Green notes that similar support has emerged due to the recreational and therapeutic associations. I agree that such findings are persuasive and demonstrate why more people are shifting their views in favor of the substance. As a result, more members of the public and politicians are increasingly convinced by these scientific claims, leading to the calls to legalize marijuana in the United States.             Various issues are fast-tracking the marijuana decriminalization movements in the U.S. For instance, trends indicate that the economic potential and incentives associated with marijuana legalization represent the leading triggers for the change in the political mindset. Claims have emerged that taking this approach and abandoning the restrictive federal laws of the 1940s and earlier offers the nation an opportunity to rejuvenate its economic growth in dynamic ways. A news article by Jaeger underscores the numerous economic benefits that a nation such as the United States stands to reap by embracing the new norm. For instance, Colorado’s reports of increased revenue from the cannabis trade in 2022 are an exhibit of these financial benefits. I agree with such an observation considering other studies also support these outcomes. Page et al. also project that by 2025, the U.S. will be generating up to $23 billion from marijuana sales only. The promise for such revenues has significantly influenced the public and politician’s view of the products, triggering a shift in their perspective. This consideration has prompted many states nationwide to legalize cannabis use, including California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Nevada, and Michigan, among many others. Specific economic contributions of these changes demonstrate the widespread impact of the continued legalization.             Virtually all economic fronts in the U.S. are recording drastic benefits from the changing political support for marijuana legalization. For instance, Jaeger notes that its capacity to increase employment opportunities has won the admiration of many politicians and like-minded stakeholders. Kansas represents a state that has recorded recent transformations in its employment sector through the numerous jobs around the cannabis industry. The author indicates that the different firms provide decent job opportunities for locals, improving their livelihood and decency. Besides employment, marijuana legalization also improves the real estate sector. According to Jaeger, licensed businesses spread their earnings by purchasing land, storefronts, and storage places. The argument arising from these exhibits is that the reforms associated with legalization also attract interested investors from other regions, increasing the demand for real estate. Amidst all these advancements, the state and federal governments enjoy increased tax revenue from the upcoming businesses and their registrations. As a result, these benefits have influenced politicians to continue supporting the shift toward the legalization of cannabis in different United States regions.             The two primary influencers of the current political view of cannabis trigger several controversies. One of the leading ones is that the desire to exploit the benefits diminishes the focus on the adverse consequences of marijuana. For instance, Yu et al. warn that consuming cannabis harms young adults and adolescents in worrying ways. The author discloses that over 60 million people between 12 and 25 years remain vulnerable to numerous overlooked ramifications of marijuana intake. The author’s emphasis on this age group follows that cannabis use in this category remains at an all-time high than in other age classifications. In this context, Page flags the need for safety considerations in the use of marijuana due to the various acute effects. The authors indicate that users remain at risk of suffering from bronchopulmonary, cardiovascular, and ocular complications in the short term. They also risk experiencing euphoria, psychological alterations such as paranoia and dysphoria, and disrupted psychomotor coordination. My view is that these outcomes increase an individual’s risk for accidents or other medical-related complications. Thus, remaining aware of these consequences is fundamental for consumers.             Ongoing legalization and increased support amidst the historical issues related to marijuana use demonstrate overlooked social justice issues in the American context. Trends reveal that federal laws against the possession and consumption of marijuana have affected minority groups in the country disproportionately. For instance, a news article by Kelli Smith reveals that African Americans have continued to grapple with discriminative enforcement of anti-marijuana laws for decades. Statistics indicate that they represent the highest number of arrested and convicted individuals for low-level cannabis incarcerations than any other racial group in the country. As a result, the current legalization of marijuana in different states has raised a question about these past injustices. Many people consider the changes a mockery while arrested individuals continue to serve for a mistake t...