My opinion, which I recognize is not likely a popular view these days, but here it is. I think it should be legalized, mainly bc I’m so sick of this argument and I realize that the arguments against legalization are pretty easily refuted when comparing it to alcohol and hard drugs. But that said, I hate it. Not meaning its effects on me (although I’ve never enjoyed it), but because of the harm I’ve seen it cause. It is (for some people) addictive, not just psychologically but physically. Anyone who denies that now is not being honest or drank too much of the Kool-Aid we’ve been fed. Data overwhelmingly proves it, particularly for those who start as adolescents. I’ve seen it firsthand. Go to an adolescent rehab - most kids are there for marijuana. But that’s not enough to say it shouldn’t be legal because alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco are all addictive too. I think the legalization push has created more of a problem with underage use. Kids are continually hearing how it should be legal and is less harmful than alcohol, so more are willing to experiment with it. And to many of those kids, it’s a gateway drug that leads them to try harder stuff - again, go to an adolescent rehab if you don’t believe me. Unfortunately, some of those kids will OD on drugs tainted with fentanyl. Even fentanyl-laced marijuana is being found.
So generally I’m disgusted with the legalization effort because of the denial of all the negative effects it’s had, while at the same time I think it’s time to just make it legal. If for no other reason, then to keep people from buying it on the street and risking their lives. And skip the “medical legalization” stage, that’s pure BS. There is no legitimate medical use for it, other than possibly treatment of chronic pain and anorexia in cancer patients. Just make it legal, regulate it, tax it, and shut up about it.
