If you have been paying attention to recent developments in the USA, one issue which may have caught your eye is the growing movement to legalize marijuana. Yes sir, the push is on in many states to legalize both medical and recreational usage. At the time of this post fourteen states have already decriminalized the usage of cannabis, while two states, Colorado and Washington, have outright legalized it.
Maybe this isn’t an issue that would typically pop up on your radar. I know for the most part, depending on your age and/or worldview, you may be unfamiliar with the key arguments touted by the grassroots (pun intended) legalization lobby. I typically work with young people, so this issue tends to pop up in conversation more often than I would probably like. The one consistent argument I have to deal with is the “seemingly” harmless impact of cannabis usage. The old “No One is Getting Hurt” defense is never a satisfying argument in any debate. Thanks to Steven Crowder, who with his usual wit and insight, pokes holes in this, and many other standard arguments used to justify the legalization of marijuana. Check out his video below.
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I think the point that needs to be made is that there is a choice between evils here. Do we allow people to harm themselves by allowing THC based recreational drug use, or do we harm them orselves by taking the freedom to make that choice from them?
Given that or society does not have a problem with recreational use of alcohol, a mind altering substance that is known to do harm to both the mind and body (and one would assume the soul as well), it seems that in at least the case of alcohol, we know which evil is worse. Why is THC any different? Also, IMHO, any decision to restrict the choices of a person must be made very carefully, as telling someone what they can and cannot do will restrict their ability to learn from making those choices.
Don’t get me wrong, I thing that THC based sbstances are of limited value to society as a whole and to individuals as well… but I think that telling people they are not allowed to do it because you feel it to be stupid or harmful is worse.
Thanks for the comment Chris. I have no problem legalizing substances for medical use when they are useful. THC would be one such substance. However, should it be legalized for recreational use simply because there is a demand for it? The same logic presented to legalize recreational use of marijuana could also be used to argue legalizing the recreational use of morphine, after all a demand exists for opiates. However, we do not feel compelled to legalize its recreational use. We appear to make such distinctions all the time when it comes to judging between freedoms vs public good. Ultimately I believe the discourse should revolve around facts and values, and not feelings and leaky arguments.
Great timing! I just had a discussion about this yesterday.