Hypothesis: Marijuana legalisation would help to decrease the amount of people suffering from addiction.
Research Questions:
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What is Marijuana and what effects does consumption have on users?
How does marijuana consumption lead to addiction and what are the impacts of addiction?
Why is marijuana illegal?
How would marijuana legalisation and regulation help to diminish the amount of people suffering from
addictions?
Marijuana legalisation
Written by Mauricio Salinas
Marijuana is a very infamous substance across the world. There are a lot of countries where it is illegal and in the worst
cases the mere possession of marijuana might take people to jail. However, often the qualities of this drug are exaggerated
by the media which might distort the popular opinion on this drug. Nowadays some countries have started legalisation
campaigns, which depending on the country, might be beneficial to the population. It is fundamental that people have a
clear idea of what is marijuana, how using marijuana affects the individual, the aftermath of addiction as well as how
marijuana usage causes it, the reason behind the legislation of the substance and what is implied by the term legalisation.
This essay looks to clarify these aspects so stakeholders can have a better understanding over the topic if their countries
have a legalisation project in progress.
Marijuana is commonly referred to as the substance derived from the Cannabis Sativa plant, which has psychoactive
effects upon consumption (Marijuana Addiction | Effects, Withdrawal, Treatment, n.d.) This substance is known by many
names, which include but it is not limited to cannabis, hashish, pot, weed, bud, Mary Jane, herb, and ganja (Florimbio,
2023). When consumed, cannabis may cause mood changes and disturbed senses, difficulty with motor skills, disrupted
cognitive progresses, and loss of appetite which is what is known by colloquial terms to be high (Marijuana Addiction |
Effects, Withdrawal, Treatment, n.d.).
The compound responsible for all of these effects is called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC (Florimbio, 2023).
Cannabis contains high levels of this compound, and THC is particularly good at activating cannabinoid receptors. These
receptors form part of the endocannabinoid system, which is a complex net of communication inside the brain, which
“plays a very important role in normal brain development and function” (Marijuana Addiction | Effects, Withdrawal,
Treatment, n.d.). Some brain areas that are related to the symptoms — for example motor skills difficulties linked to
coordination parts of the brain — being related have a much greater density of cannabinoid receptors (Marijuana
Addiction | Effects, Withdrawal, Treatment, n.d.). This explains the effects why consumers have such weird behaviour
upon using marijuana.
Regular consumption of marijuana may cause individuals to develop cannabinoid use disorders. This is defined as when
the “use becomes uncontrollable and begins to impact normal functioning” (Florimbio, 2023). Florimbio (2023) explains
that serious cases of this disorder are commonly referred to as marijuana addiction for its similarity with the neurological
disease, and Frysh (2024) cites a study which suggests that around a tenth of the consumers may become addicted. Also
higher THC levels may increase the likelihood to becoming addicted (Marijuana Addiction | Effects, Withdrawal,
Treatment, n.d.). Frysh (2024) links age and the frequency of consumption to the risk of developing cannabis use disorder,
with one sixth of the teenagers developing the disorder and half of the ones that consume daily.
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However, it is important to note that the context of the consumer may also have a great impact on the likelihood of
becoming addicted. Relatives or peers with bad records regarding irresponsible alcohol consumption and drug usage may
make the chances of addiction (Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell, 2018) The brain’s acceptance to the drug will also be related
to the usage of other drugs such as alcohol, tobacco and sugar (Pavlo Atlas, 2021b). It is important to have a good
environment to not develop this kind of addiction.
Returning to the original point, it is clear that Marijuana might cause cannabis use disorder, and this may have several
repercussions. When avid users suddenly stop consuming marijuana, they might go into withdrawal, which among other
things may make the consumer irascible, tired and develop a lack of eating interest when they do not use the drug (Frysh,
2024). Cannabis use disorder may cause sick people to have strong desires of consuming the substance, consuming more
than they intended to, sometimes even to the point where they start neglecting family and friends time to use more
marijuana, and at the same time difficulting concentration, memorising and learning processes (Frysh, 2024). Although
there is evidence that suggest that marijuana increases risks of psychosis, a British study showed that even though
marijuana usage has increased greatly between 1996 and 2005, the schizophrenia cases have remained stable, having a
greater effect on people with an already high risk of developing psychosis without marijuana (Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell,
2018). Furthermore higher THC levels have a clear influence on psychosis, increasing the likelihood of developing it
(Pavlo Atlas, 2021b).
Despite the negative effects, cannabis was not illegalized for these, but the process carried out was more complicated than
one could expect. Around the time where marijuana became illegal during the first half of the XX century the drug was
not nearly as strong as it is today. THC levels in cannabis have immensely increased over the past few decades, from a
3.96% in 1955 up to a 16.14% in 2022 (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2024). Before it was made illegal, marijuana
had been used as medicine for thousands of years, sometimes used as a pain reliever and cannabis — hemp fibre — was
also used to make ropes, paper and cloth (Block, n.d.). The history behind the illegalization progress is deeper than most
people think.
There is a suggestion that the reasoning behind the illegalization of marijuana in developed countries was mostly driven
by racist propaganda and prejudices. This is supported by three researchers: Pavlo Atlas (2021a), Tikkanen (n.d.) and
Block (n.d.). During the II International Opium Convention hosted by the League of Nations, cannabis — amongst other
substances — was banned. The arguments for banning were related to effects such as laziness, pride, routine, feminine
behaviour — referring to homosexuality — and weakness. These traits attributed to what the main potencies claimed,
were an inferior Asia and Africa (Pavlo Atlas, 2021a). This showed that banning marijuana might have been a decision
made from a sense of superiority rather than thinking it meant an actual threat.
Authors like Block, Pavlo Atlas, and Tikkanen claim that the United States’ process of illegalization was heavily based on
racism and discrimination. In an attempt to discourage Mexican people from working in their lands, the US government
promoted various propaganda campaigns led by Harry J. Anslinger, who spent a great part of his career casting aspersions
over cannabis consumers, mainly focusing on Afro-descendants and Mexican migrants. He claimed among other things
that upon consumption, people would develop aggressive and lustful behaviour, even to the point where he created a
compilation of stories of crimes that were allegedly related to marijuana (Pavlo Atlas, 2021a). All of this in an attempt at
supporting Marijuana illegalization.
It was through these mediums that marijuana was catalogued as a Schedule I substance, according to the Controlled
Substances Act (Block, n.d.). Block (n.d) explains that this level is reserved for drugs that have “high potential for abuse”,
“no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States” and “a lack of accepted safety for use under medical
supervision”. This puts cannabis at the same level of heavy substances like LSD and heroin. However, Pavlo Atlas
(2021a) claims that there were studies at that time showing how much the media exaggerated cannabis’ effects, with
people like Dr. Walter Bromberg who studied over 2,000 cases from Anslinger’s compilation explained that these crimes
had no clear relation with the use of cannabis, along with a 1944 study by the New York Academy of Medicine showing
that marijuana was not as harmful as previously thought. Nonetheless, these interpretations were ignored by Anslinger,
who kept going with his campaign.
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Despite cannabis’ illegality may be guided by more political rather than empiric evidence, the reality is that marijuana
nowadays is not harmless, as stated before, levels of THC in marijuana circulating around the streets may be as high as
15%, and without caution it might cause harm to those who use it. Yet, it is important to note that this drug is not much
more dangerous than some of the legal drugs. For example drugs like Tobacco and Alcohol have been proven to cause
cancer and other medical complications, but there is no evidence showing cannabis can cause it, as well as no clear proof
that people can die from marijuana overdose . In addition, even though marijuana might influence psychosis development,
it is not the only one since alcohol and energy drinks also play a relevant role in the development of this disease (Pavlo
Atlas, 2021b). This is not to show that marijuana should be legal because there are worse drugs but to make people think
on how some substances are accepted because of popular opinion and culture rather than considering the dangers of using
it.
The real problem with marijuana are levels of THC. Prohibition allows drug dealers to manipulate the drug as they please,
making it almost certain that they will want to increase THC levels to increase addictiveness and therefore improve
profits. Legalisation would advocate for a cannabis market to exist, where these can be regulated in a similar manner to
how alcohol content is specified on the package, similarly to how alcohol content is specified at the back of the beverages.
It is important to remember that banning the drug will not make it disappear, and that it is preferable to have an entity in
control of this business to protect the people from becoming addicted to an unregulated product.
As much of a curious response to addiction as this may sound, legalisation must be carefully planned and crafted for it to
be effective. For example, Uruguay had legalised marijuana, but since the government had made it so difficult to obtain
marijuana, leaving only a couple of pharmacies around the country, with very little stock and high prices, the people still
would rather just buy it from drug dealers (Pavlo Atlas, 2021b). Also, having an honest government is just as important.
In countries where companies have great influence on the government’s actions, they could advocate for laws that
benefited them, giving themselves more power than they need. In cases like this a better option would be the
decriminalisation may be an available option, where instead of allowing a market to exist, the possession of the drug
would not be penalised (Vox, 2022). It would be similar to what had been done in Portugal, which was known to have
problems with the irresponsible usage of the drug, where people found using drugs were sent to rehabilitation programs,
which proved to be very useful and in a little more than a decade they had reduced the amount of people who had once
consumed the substance and kept using from a 44% to a 28% (Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell, 2018). Nonetheless, some
stakeholders like Paul Armentano believe that decriminalisation would not go far enough, and for the marijuana to be as
pure as possible, there must be a market to regulate(Vox, 2022). Every country is a different matter, and just because a
legalisation program works in one country does not mean that it will work in another.
This essay has addressed the issues regarding the use of marijuana and the controversy over legalisation. Cannabis or
marijuana are some of the names used to refer to a drug derived from a plant, which is often used for recreational
purposes because its effects also lead to the development of cannabis use disorder though its addictiveness is directly
linked to the product’s THC levels. It is also important to note that a lot of factors contribute to the user’s likelihood to
become addicted, such as peers and family members with unhealthy relationships with substances. Although marijuana is
illegal, records suggest that it became illegal by promoting propaganda, rather than being based on relevant evidence.
Legalisation would be a good option, since it would allow more control over the cannabis market, and even though it
would not make drug dealers disappear it would become a tool to protect people from developing harmful relationships
with drugs. Nevertheless, every country is different, each needing different carefully crafted laws that adapt to their
context, and some countries may look forward to decriminalising marijuana instead as an available option, This is why it
is important for all people to inform themselves about this topic so properly made laws are made to protect their people
the best way possible.
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References
Block, B. A. (n.d.). Why Marijuana Became Illegal. Bruce Alan Block, P.L.C. Retrieved September 3, 2024, from
https://brucealanblock.com/why-marijuana-became-illegal
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2024, July 16). Cannabis potency data. National Institutes of Health.
https://nida.nih.gov/research/research-data-measures-resources/cannabis-potency-data
Florimbio, A. R. (2023, July 3). Marijuana Addiction Facts: Is Marijuana Addictive? American Addiction Centers.
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/marijuana-rehab/is-it-addictive
Frysh, P. (2024, January 12). How pot affects your mind and body. WebMD.
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/marijuana-use-and-its-effects
Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell. (2018, June 10). 3 Arguments why marijuana should stay illegal reviewed. [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP15q815Saw
Marijuana Addiction | Effects, withdrawal, treatment. (n.d.). Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. Retrieved July 30, 2024,
from https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/addiction/marijuana-symptoms
Pavlo Atlas. (2021a, October 28). Historia de la Marihuana: por qué es ilegal? (y el alcohol no). [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THbNGooeY78
Pavlo Atlas. (2021b, November 11). 5 razones para legalizar la marihuana? [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yaU2oOLkjk
Tikkanen, A. (n.d.). Why is marijuana illegal in the U.S.? Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved July
https://www.britannica.com/story/why-is-marijuana-illegal-in-the-us
Vox. (2022, December 14). A fact-checked debate about legal weed [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TPaCsQVwA8
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