Marijuana Legalization

Here in Canada, the legalization of  Marijuana for recreational use has been a long debated topic. In fact, it had also been a key promise Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had made before he had been elected as Prime Minister. It is only a matter of time before he fulfils as the government has already been finding ways of making money off of it. I, as a citizen of this fine nation, do not believe that Marijuana should be legalized for recreational usage, as it's a harmful drug that can destroy lives of innocents. Teens can get convinced or even forced into using it which can definitely put their future into jeopardy, using it at a young age can lower their IQ as compared to others, and smoking it not only puts your life at risk but everyone’s around you. Right now, at the time when smoking Marijuana is illegal, you wouldn’t have someone come right up to you and admit to their bad habits, nor would they try forcing you into it as they are afraid of getting exposed and facing serious consequences.

If Marijuana was to get legalized, it will become very easily accessible to all. Due to the legalization, there will be competition among suppliers, therefore lowering prices. It will become inexpensive to grow eventually making it cheaper, more affordable and easily accessible for all, especially teens. This can destroy lives of youth because, now kids our age, who had never even thought about drugs, who are looking to do something with their life can get caught in this trap. The legalization will attract more new users as mentioned by just the name of an article by the Global News, “Canada will see 900,000 new pot smokers under legalization, poll implies” and it is believed to be that most of them are young Canadians (teenagers). Teenagers, knowing their attitude towards the world as it already is, will be smoking everywhere, on school property, in classrooms, not to mention all the second-hand smoke the other student will become victims of. “Research has shown that marijuana’s negative effects on attention, memory, and learning can last for days or weeks after the acute effects of the drug wear off.” according to The National Institute of Drug Abuse. Since Marijuana is a depressant smoking it will lead to students being high in class and unable to cope with daily studies. They might as well not come to school at all. Not only that but according to the Globe and Mail, in a 2012 report, researchers from Duke University analysed data from Dunedin and found that the earlier and more frequently a person smoked pot, the greater the loss of their intelligence was by the age of 38.

Furthermore, the article also mentions that “Teens who smoke pot daily are 60 percent less likely to finish high school or get a university degree than their weed-free peers.” And if a person (student) does end up addicted, it could practically end their life. When they go for a job interview, if their play any kind sports (professionally / recreational), it will all be denied to them all because of that one stupid mistake they made in high school. We have the opportunity to limit the number of victims, yet are choosing to throw people just like us into the mouth of the devil knowing the consequences. Shame on us for considering such a possibility. In conclusion, I believe marijuana should not be legalized as it’s positive contributions toward the society are very little compared to its potential negative impacts on it. Also, Marijuana not being the most harmful substance out there shouldn’t be used as an excuse.