Marijuana Should NOT Be Legalized

I, too, would like to request that potential voters choose the winner based on the strength, and persuasiveness of their argument, rather than their personal position on the subject matter. I realize that far more people are for legalization than against it. With regard to the argument that Marinol is an inferior drug by comparison, I think it is worth pointing out that the Food and Drug Administration determined Marinol to be safe, effective, and therapeutically beneficial for use as a treatment for nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy, and as a treatment of weight loss in patients with AIDS. This is not to say it is more effective, but that it is most importantly safe, as well as suiting its purpose. According to the FDA: "These products [Marinol and Cesamet] have been through FDA's rigorous approval process and have been determined to be safe and effective for their respective indications. It is only through the FDA drug approval process that solid clinical data can be obtained and a scientifically based assessment of the risks and benefits of an investigational drug is made. Upon FDA approval for marketing, consumers who need the medication can have confidence that the approved medication will be safe and effective." Marinol contains active ingredients that are present in botanical marijuana. Marinol also contains the active ingredient dronabinol, a synthetic delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is considered the psychoactive component of marijuana. However, the FDA have determined Marinol, through their "rigorous approval process," to be safer in the respect that Marinol does not produce the harmful health effects associated with smoking marijuana. Marijuana also has been recommended by advocates of legalization for the treatment of conditions such as glaucoma as well. However, according to the Institute of Medicine, there are six classes of drugs and multiple surgical techniques that are available to treat glaucoma that effectively slow the progression of disease by reducing high intraocular pressure. In 1999, the Institute of Medicine conducted a comprehensive study to assess the potential health benefits of marijuana. They concluded that smoking marijuana is not recommended for treatment of any disease condition. The Institute of Medicine further concluded that there is little future in smoked marijuana as a medically approved medication. Smoked marijuana can also affect the immune system by impairing the ability of T-cells to fight off infections. This demonstrates the simple fact that marijuana can do more harm than good in people with already compromised immune systems. A Columbia University study found that a control group that smoked a single marijuana cigarette every other day had a white blood cell count that was 39 percent lower than the norm. This impedes the immune systems capability of fighting infection, thus making the user far more susceptible to infection and illness, which certainly isn't a good idea for critically ill patients trying to fight debilitating diseases. According to the National Institutes of Health, studies show that someone who smokes five joints per week may be taking in as many cancer-causing chemicals as someone who smokes a full pack of cigarettes a day. Additionally, Harvard University researchers report that the risk of a heart attack is five times higher than usual in the hour after smoking marijuana. This is particularly dangerous to people with high blood pressure, as marijuana raises blood pressure. From 1993 through 2000, the number of emergency room marijuana mentions more than tripled. Another important thing to consider is the rise in potency of marijuana over the past few decades. According to data from the Potency Monitoring Project at the University of Mississippi, the THC content of commercial-grade marijuana rose from 3.71% in 1985 to an average of 5.57% in 1998. The average THC content of U.S.-produced sinsemilla also increased, from 3.2% in 1977 to 12.8% in 1997. When compared to the average cigarette, smoking one marijuana cigarette deposits about four times more tar into the lungs than a filtered tobacco cigarette. Marijuana also contains more than 400 chemicals that include most of the harmful substances found in tobacco smoke. The American Medical Association recommends that marijuana remain a Schedule I controlled substance. Marijuana IS a gateway drug. One might have their own opinion on the matter, but statistics don't lie. Marijuana, according to studies, plays a role in leading to the use of other illegal drugs like heroin and cocaine. According to these longterm studies, very few people use other illegal drugs without first trying marijuana. Certainly, not all marijuana users go on to experiment with other illegal drugs, but using marijuana sometimes lowers inhibitions about drug use and exposes users to a culture that encourages drug use. This is one of the major detriments of the advocacy of legalization to begin with. In the 1980s, illicit drug use was reduced by 50 percent. This was due in part to the combined and concerted efforts of law enforcement and prevention and treatment professionals. However, now that a more tolerant view of marijuana is prevalent in our society, drug use has gone up again. Substance abuse always seems to rise whenever public attitude is more tolerant towards drugs. This is particularly detrimental to the susceptible youth of America and should be considered an area of eminent concern. Marijuana IS an addictive drug, contrary to the popularly promoted notions of pro-legalization advocates. In 1999, more than 200,000 Americans entered substance abuse treatment primarily for marijuana abuse and dependency. The youth of America in particularly are suffering the greatest from marijuana abuse. More teens are in treatment for marijuana use than for any other drug or alcohol. The percentage of adolescent admissions to substance abuse facilities for marijuana addiction grew from 43% in 1994 to 60% in 1999. Why should we not allow legalization for recreational use? Public safety. As I am sure you are aware, marijuana affects many skills required for safe driving, alertness, the ability to concentrate, coordination, and reaction time. Other inhibitory effects that influence such activity include memory loss, distorted perception, trouble with thinking and problem solving, loss of motor skills, decrease in muscle strength, increased heart rate, and anxiety. These associated affects can last up to 24 hours after smoking marijuana. Use of marijuana can also make it difficult to judge distances and react to signals and signs in the road. In one study, out of the total amount of drivers stopped for reckless driving, one-third of them were found to be under the influence of marijuana. In a 1990 report, the National Transportation Safety Board studied 182 fatal truck accidents, and found that just as many of the incidents were caused by drivers using marijuana as were caused by alcohol -- 12.5 percent in each case. Another concern of public safety is the evocation of violent and criminal thinking while under the influence of marijuana. According to statistical review, there seems to be a connection; marijuana contributes to crime. A large percentage of those arrested for crimes test positive for marijuana. Nationwide, 40 percent of adult males tested positive for marijuana at the time of their arrest. In short, not only is the health of marijuana users of concern, either for medicinal or recreational purposes, but public safety is of concern as well. P.S. -- I apologize, I was unable to squeeze in my assessment of your arguments and to answer your questions, I will attempt to squeeze them into my round 3 argument.