Although marijuana has be shown to be safer than other substances and have numerous health benefits, many people do not agree with the legalization. Many believe that marijuana is addictive and is a gateway drug, but a lot of these thoughts are actually myths about marijuana. These myths are reasons people argue that marijuana should not be legalized. Marijuana has always been considered a gateways drug, but noted by Bubbins, 2017, author of "Tackling Marijuana Myths" published in University Wire, this is not true. The hypothesis about gateway drugs is that the use of a supposedly safe drug can influence the use of harder, more serious drugs. Studies show that if a person abuses one drug, he or she is more likely to abuse a drug that is chemically …show more content…
Marijuana does have short-term affects that are similar to other legal substances, but if used correctly as prescribed and carefully, it brings millions of people relief from different health problems every day. Another concern about marijuana legalization is that it will increase teenage drug use. Noted by "Speaking Out Against Drug Legalization", 1995, if marijuana wide spread and available rates of use will increase. Legalizing drugs would send a message that drug use is acceptable and encourage the use of it (Speaking Out Against Drug Legalization, 1995). Although, marijuana would be more available, teenagers would still get their hands-on marijuana if it remained illegal. Legalizing marijuana would insure that teens are not buying and using marijuana that could be laced with other dangerous drugs. Legal marijuana would be safer for teen consumption. No matter if marijuana is legalized or not, teenagers are going to use it. Underage drinking is a huge deal in today's society, yet alcohol has not been made illegal. Not legalizing marijuana will not stop teenagers from using but marijuana legalized will make a very