Comment on a Colleague's Work #2

In response to Texijuana by my fellow colleague Gabrielle, I agree with the majority of the statements that she made in her editorial. I feel as though the majority of the population believing in some form of marijuana legalization is astounding. I believe that marijuana legalization for medical purposes only is justifiable and is the right balance for the drug among the public.

There really should not be any other usage for marijuana other than for medical uses such as patients suffering from cancer and other painful diseases and paralysis. Having it legal in small amounts for any purpose is somewhat of a danger in that people will begin to abuse it, maybe not suddenly, but steadily. Having it legal in any amounts for any purpose is beyond  unwise. Putting a THC-composed-of drug on the streets, in local convenience stores, and gas stations to be taxed and regulated like alcohol and tobacco is somewhat of a major risk. What if marijuana does not transition in so smoothly as tobacco or alcohol in society? What if the rate of automobile fatalities and unemployment go up? What if a marijuana epidemic sweeps the nation causing chaos in high and junior high schools across the country and resulting in a lot of kids wasting their money on marijuana and the U.S. raising a whole new generation of lazy and money-hungry kids who will stop at nothing to feed their expensive drug habits. What if marijuana leads some of our kids into experimenting with harder drugs, in search of a "stronger" or "better" high? What if kids get into other drugs wanting a more long-lasting sensation that stays with them longer than marijuana, making true the statement that marijuana is a "gateway drug". It might be true that the fighting and killing amongst the cartels and the government on the border may lessen, but not considerably, still due to the existence and profitability of the illegal crack, cocaine, heroin, crystal meth, and ecstasy.

But all in all, I agree with the author's position that medical marijuana should be legalized, as opposed to not at all, due to the benefits it can bring the ill and the help it can provide in lessening pain, without the side effects or inability to function of other prescribed drugs.