Prohibiting marijuana calls for thorough research due to the drug’s legalization in most states. On the same note, marijuana has been suspected to be a popular drug, with its revelation in an escalation in its growth and consumption (Meisel, 2017). Additionally, there are different viewpoints related to its economic effect in a state. Conversely, different positions stress on marijuana legalization long-term effects including the crop’s price as well as lower tax returns as a result of its global availability. Therefore, research must be focused on the creation of an in-depth response to the marijuana’s social effects and its long-term impact on a state’s economy through diminished productivity rate.
Recently, such efforts are being extended past cannabis therapeutic uses to fruitful debates in different states for legalizing the crop’s recreational use. Notably, most people hail these attempts as average citizens triumph over the draconian legal system imprisoning many nonviolent cannabis users unnecessarily. In other words, although broadly prohibited since the nineteenth century in America, currently, states like Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, as well as Washington have legalized marijuana possession for both medical and personal use (Caulkins, 2016).
Similar to other drugs, marijuana as well affects one socially. In this case, the crop can have both positive and adverse effects to a person. Pursuing this further, research has it that legal cannabis strong demand growth in the past decades might continue (Caulkins, 2016). With many states debating changes to the laws of cannabis, the future seems to open legal markets for cannabis. On this note, major states such as Massachusetts, California, and Nevada might legalize usage by adults while Florida might pass medical bills on cannabis.
Scientifically, smoking marijuana can be linked to fewer fights (Meisel, 2017). Evidently, smokers have a peaceful state of mind and are quite friendly. Additionally, cannabis bringing about relaxation by minimizing ones’ stress levels. Weed serves a relaxation role similar to that of alcohol. The drugs also improve a person’s creativity (Meisel, 2017). This is reflected in world’s renowned artists like Jay-Z, Bob Marley, Rihanna, Stephen King as well as Lady Gaga. On the federal level, marijuana legalization can offer economic advantages for America to great sums, precisely when the U.S. national economy calls for a significant support.
Concisely, weed is safer than other illicit substances like tobacco or alcohol. As a result of this, firm legal marijuana regulations may be a practical approach to addressing the legalization issue. Following this further, cannabis is causing fewer adverse effects than alcohol or tobacco; there is a need to develop policies prioritizing on the management of the dangers related to tobacco and alcohol, rather than cannabis. Further, marijuana use has little risk which recommends the government employ robust approaches on regulation instead of the prohibition of the drug.
Future research must focus on three major areas: the process of registration, consistent compounds evaluation as well as addressing the barriers associated to weed legalization and determine the effects of marijuana, on social and economic backgrounds. Therefore, researchers should indicate and explain how the registration process leads to administrative challenges, acting as disincentives to research conduction. Also, it should be elaborated why every marijuana cannabinoids are termed as compounds in Schedule I and the reason CBD lacks an abuse liability (Caulkins, 2016). The research should be concluded by elaborating on how multiple agencies should work to identify approaches of streamlining the process of facilitating research as well as meeting legislative and international obligations related to Controlled Substances and Narcotic Drugs Act (Caulkins, 2016).
- Caulkins, J. P. (2016). Marijuana legalization. Oxford University Press.
- Meisel, J. (2017). Hidden in Plain Sight: Cannabis Cultivation in the Emerald Triangle.