Cannabis should be legalized

Why We Shouldn't Legalize CannabisI am going to explain my views and illustrate my arguments on why we should not legalize cannabis (marijuana). I will assume that my opponent is talking about the U.S. since the majority of the debaters on this website are American, legalization has been a highly controversial issue in America, and my opponent has not made known otherwise. First off, I am going to say that marijuana, no matter how mild, is still a drug, and drug overuse can potentially harm any human being. I will provide evidence that despite what many drug-users say, cannabis can lead to death. I don't see how legalizing this drug will positively affect our nation and its citizens, and believe that it will push our country in the wrong direction. However, I am open to new facts and evidence and will consider my opponent's argument, but as for the time being I am against the legalization of this drug.Teen UseEven if we do legalize marijuana throughout the U.S., it will only be legal for adults 21 and over, just like alcohol is. This means that no matter what, it will still be illegal for teenagers to smoke it. Recently my school newspaper reported that an excessive amount of students have gotten caught this school year, following the legalization of marijuana in my state. This means that more students will be getting caught, suspended, or even expelled, varying on the school. What I can conclude from this research is that because of more marijuana use among adults, teenagers will be more exposed to it and it will become more common among students. This will greatly affect our newest generation, who will be the ones that will lead our country. If these young people are dropping out of school because of increasing marijuana use, we will have less educated youth, leading to less jobs taken in our economy and an increasing unemployment rate. The long term effects of marijuana use have physical, mental, behavioral, and social consequences[1]. It is not surprising that these are the traits that will be needed for leading and supporting our country.Increasing RisksMarijuana use has proved to have a negative effect on driving[1][2][3][4]. As we know, drivers must be alert and well to not make any fatal mistakes. But drivers under the influence of weed are more likely to crash, and potentially, die. "In all seriousness, marijuana affects your reflexes, hindering your motor skills. So marijuana-related car fatalities are not unheard of."[2] In all seriousness, marijuana affects your reflexes, hindering your motor skills. So marijuana-related car fatalities are not unheard of. And one study found marijuana users have a 4.8-fold increase in risk of a heart attack during the first hour after smoking because of the drug's effect on your heart rate. Read more at http://www.ksl.com... In all seriousness, marijuana affects your reflexes, hindering your motor skills. So marijuana-related car fatalities are not unheard of. And one study found marijuana users have a 4.8-fold increase in risk of a heart attack during the first hour after smoking because of the drug's effect on your heart rate. Read more at http://www.ksl.com... Within three hours of cannabis consumption, drivers are nearly twice as likely to cause a vehicle collision as those who aren't under the influence of alcohol or drugs[1][4].But this isn't all. In fact, "...one study found marijuana users have a 4.8-fold increase in risk of a heart attack during the first hour after smoking because of the drug's effect on your heart rate."[2] Some of the short-term effects of marijuana are increased heart rate, fluctuations in blood pressure, and dilation of blood vessels[1], so we can safely assume that a heart attack can come the consumption of weed.The evidence has been laid out, and I have shown that marijuana use can cause death. Also, innocent people can be affected, perhaps killed, in a vehicle collision if they are hit by a driver under the influence of weed. By legalizing it, the number of car collisions and fatalities by it will increase, and the number of deaths from drugs may also increase, provided the evidence I have shown.Second Hand SmokingAs I said earlier, innocent people can be affected. This is true for more than just driving. "Second hand marijuana smoke has the same potentially deadly consequence as the cigarette has."[5] Just by being in the same room with someone who is smoking weed can be harmful. If we legalize it, people who choose not to smoke will be at risk as well. Public smoking is not yet legal in Washington or Colorado, so inside effects are even more of a danger. People who have been near marijuana smokers have shown the same symptoms as the smokers themselves. So why exactly should we go to the trouble of putting more people at risk? By legalizing it we would have to implement more second hand smoke laws (if the public calls for it), when really we could avoid the entire situation. I don't believe this will help anyone's health, the smokers' or the people near them. In all seriousness, marijuana affects your reflexes, hindering your motor skills. So marijuana-related car fatalities are not unheard of. Read more at http://www.ksl.com... In all seriousness, marijuana affects your reflexes, hindering your motor skills. So marijuana-related car fatalities are not unheard of. And one study found marijuana users have a 4.8-fold increase in risk of a heart attack during the first hour after smoking because of the drug's effect on your heart rate. Read more at http://www.ksl.com... In all seriousness, marijuana affects your reflexes, hindering your motor skills. So marijuana-related car fatalities are not unheard of. And one study found marijuana users have a 4.8-fold increase in risk of a heart attack during the first hour after smoking because of the drug's effect on your heart rate. Read more at http://www.ksl.com... In all seriousness, marijuana affects your reflexes, hindering your motor skills. So marijuana-related car fatalities are not unheard of. And one study found marijuana users have a 4.8-fold increase in risk of a heart attack during the first hour after smoking because of the drug's effect on your heart rate. Read more at http://www.ksl.com... In all seriousness, marijuana affects your reflexes, hindering your motor skills. So marijuana-related car fatalities are not unheard of. And one study found marijuana users have a 4.8-fold increase in risk of a heart attack during the first hour after smoking because of the drug's effect on your heart rate. Read more at http://www.ksl.com... By legalizing, we will be increasing the harmful risks of marijuana, changing the way our youth are raised, and affecting others as well. I have more arguments to make and plan on rebutting my opponent's argument.Sources1. http://en.wikipedia.org...2. http://www.ksl.com...3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...4. http://www.bmj.com...5. http://secondhandmarijuanasmoke.com...