Exploring the Pros and Cons of Legalizing Cannabis

Cannabis has been legal in the United States since 1996 when California passed prop215. Since then, we have seen such a rise in legalization that today more than half of the US (and all of Canada) legally allows for cannabis use, whether medical or recreational or both. Check out our article, The Age of Cannabis – A Brief History of Legality, for more about the process.

Still, cannabis remains a highly controversial substance, and its legalization is a hotly debated topic everywhere. In this week’s article, we will look at the pros and cons of legalizing cannabis by examining the potential benefits but also drawbacks of these legislative changes.

Please note that the views expressed here are not necessarily our own. These are simply the most debated topics regarding cannabis legalization

Cons of Legalizing Cannabis

Increased Usage

One potential (and arguable) drawback of legalizing cannabis is that it could lead to increased usage. While some argue that legalization would only make cannabis more accessible to those who already use it, others worry that legalization could lead to increased use among those who have never tried it before.
Some argue that this could increase cannabis-related health and social problems.

For example, a recent study looked at the effect of long-term cannabis usage on axonal connection and discovered that structural connectivity was disrupted in three areas of the brain.

Impaired Driving

One of the major concerns around cannabis legalization is the potential for impaired driving. It’s possible that cannabis use can impair judgment, coordination, and reaction time, leading to an increased risk of accidents on the road.

However, published reviews like the 2021 study, Cannabis and Driving, highlight how difficult it is to measure driving impairment due to cannabis usage. While things like roadside testing for impairment are being developed, the risk of impaired driving remains a concern.

Impact on Youth

Legalizing cannabis could also have an impact on youth. Young people are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of cannabis, as their brains are still developing. Some worry that legalization could lead to increased use among youth, leading to issues of addiction and adverse effects on brain development.

Pros of Legalizing Cannabis

Economic Benefits

One of the most significant potential benefits of legalizing cannabis is the economic boost it provides. Legalization creates new industries and jobs, from cannabis cultivation and processing to retail and distribution. Additionally, legalizing and taxing cannabis provides a new source of revenue for governments, generating billions of dollars in tax revenue each year.

According to Medical Marijuana, Inc.: “Marijuana industry experts estimate that the nation’s medical and recreational marijuana market is currently valued at $8.3 billion, and project that it will surge to $25 billion by 2025. In four years, the U.S. cannabis industry is expected to deliver as many as 340,000 full-time jobs, and make a nearly $80 billion economic impact.”

Medical Benefits

Cannabis has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, and legalization could increase access to its therapeutic properties. Research has shown that cannabis can be used to alleviate symptoms of chronic pain, anxiety, and other conditions.

By legalizing cannabis, patients who could benefit from its use would have greater access to it, potentially improving their quality of life. And many new studies are emerging to support this. For example, a 2023 study examined the promising benefits of cannabis on treatment-resistant combat PTSD.

Reduced Criminalization

The reduction of criminalization is a massive pro for cannabis legalization. By legalizing marijuana, governments can remove the criminal penalties associated with its use and possession, reducing the number of people caught up in the criminal justice system. This can free up resources for law enforcement and allow them to focus on more serious crimes rather than spending time and money on low-level drug offenses.

In addition, cannabis-related arrests and convictions disproportionately affect communities of color, leading to issues of social injustice and systemic racism. Legalizing cannabis could help address these issues by reducing the number of people who are incarcerated for nonviolent cannabis offenses.

Safer Products

By legalizing cannabis, governments can regulate its production and distribution, ensuring that products are safe and of the highest quality. This dramatically reduces the risk of contaminated or dangerous products reaching consumers and can lead to greater trust in the safety and efficacy of cannabis products.

Closing Thoughts

Even with the rapid rise of states legalizing medical and recreational cannabis use, legalization is still a complex issue with potential benefits and drawbacks. While legalization seems to far outweigh keeping marijuana illegal, the drawbacks still hold some validity. Hopefully, newly conducted cannabis studies can help to destigmatize it, keeping the pros better than the cons.