Legalization of marijuana

The legalization of marijuana has come up in the news recently with the declaration of Justin Trudeau. He admitted that he have smoked pot once and said that the legalization of marijuana will be in the Liberal electoral platform[1].

What is legalization? The possession, the use, the selling and the production become legal. Decriminalization permits only the use.[2]

Usually, the first argument against the legalization is that marijuana is unhealthy especially for teens. A study says ‘’that pot-smoking interferes with the healthy development of teens’ brains and puts them at risk for developing a dependence to the drug, as well as for mental health problems[3].’’ 17% to 32% of teens aged 12 to 18 years old use cannabis according to a Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse research[4]. 

In my opinion, marijuana should be legalized. First, it can be a source of money. The government spends a lot of money in a law that does not even work. By legalizing, this money can be used for other things. Even more, the government can make money by selling cannabis. Jobs can be make too for the production and it will reduce the profit of criminal organizations. Second, if the government sells it, the quality of marijuana will improve and the use can be regulated. Pot consumers do not know what is really in what they buy. Criminal organisations do not really care about the health of their clients, so they mix substances that are really strong with the cannabis. If the government sells it, consumers will be sure of the ‘’ingredients list’’.  Furthermore, the government can establish rules to regulate the use. They can set a minimum age like alcohol or gaming and a cap of amount by person like in Colorado and Washington states[5]. This way, consumers will be safer. Third, the argument that says that pot is unhealthy does not work. Alcohol is legal and it is unhealthy when consumed in excessive quantity. Gaming is legal and it is unhealthy when it is too often. Caffeine is legal and it is unhealthy when consumed in excessive quantity.  Greasy, sweet or salty food is legal and it is unhealthy. The cannabis is the same thing. It is unhealthy only when it is consumed excessively like everything in life. There comes a time where people make their own choices. The government cannot control everything. It is true that some people are more mentally affected then others by drugs, but it is no reason to forbid it for everyone. Fourthly, the law is completely useless. Nearly 40% of the population have consumed at least once in their life in 2011 according to Health Canada[6]. People are curious and they will try it, forbidden or not. People smoke marijuana since the 19th century in

North America[7].This practice will probably never end. What is the point to forbid it? Governments tried to forbid alcohol during the first half of the 20th century. Did that work? No. Prohibit something and you will be sure that people will do it.  

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[1] CBCNEWS. ''Trudeau's pot 'actions speak for themselves,' Harper says''. CBC, (August 23 2013). Online. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2013/08/22/pol-michel-justin-trudeau-marijuana-pot-huffington-post.html (Source read on September 12, 2013) 

[2] METRONEWS. ‘’ Cannabis : légaliser, dépénaliser, quelle différence?’’. Métro, (September 15 2012). Online. http://www.metronews.fr/info/cannabis-legaliser-depenaliser-quelle-difference/mljo!eOcbF61RCGtRo/ (Source read on September 12, 2013)

[3] MULHOLLAND, Angela. ‘’ Pot use presents long-term danger to teens' brains, study suggests’’. CTVNews, (August 29 2013). Online. http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/health-headlines/pot-use-presents-long-term-danger-to-teens-brains-study-suggests-1.1432167 (Source read on September 12, 2013)

[4] CANADIAN CENTRE ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE. Student alcohol and drug use. Ottawa, 2011. Online. http://www.ccsa.ca/2011%20CCSA%20Documents/2011_CCSA_CrossCanada_Report_on_Student_Alcohol_and_Drug_Use_Report_in_Short_en.pdf (Source read on September 12, 2013)

[5] TENCER, Daniel. ‘’ Marijuana Legalization Canada: Liberal Party Lays Out Detailed Economic Plan For Pot’’. The Huffington Post Canada, (10/28/2013). Online. http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/01/28/marijuana-legalization-liberal-party-canada_n_2567316.html (Source read on September 12, 2013)

[6] CANADA. HEALTH CANADA. Enquête de surveillance canadienne de la consommation de drogues. Ottawa, 2011. Online. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hc-ps/drugs-drogues/stat/_2011/summary-sommaire-fra.php#a3 (Source read on September 12 2013)

[7] SPICER, Leah. Utilisation historiques et cuturelles du cannabis et le débat sur la marijuana au Canada. Ottawa, Parlement du Canada, 2002. Online. http://www.parl.gc.ca/content/sen/committee/371/ille/library/spicer-f.htm#A. Histoire du cannabis en Amérique du Nord (Source read on September 12, 2013)