Arguments Against Legalizing Marijuana

In the United States, legalizing marijuana has been a topic of varying discussions and beliefs. On one hand, adults advocate legalization of marijuana. Whereas, the other hand is against any access to marijuana. Specifically, youth in the United States are the focal point of attention. Since most adults are able to either receive marijuana for personal or medical use, more than one in four youth are in connection with adults that have used marijuana. In saying that, CRC Health, a drug rehabilitation treatment service, states that “youths were also 9 times more likely to have used marijuana in the past month if they knew any adults who used marijuana” (CRC Health). Basically, in order to prevent the youth from having access, they have to be

A California-based political action committee, Citizens Against Legalizing Marijuana (CALM), asserts that “marijuana adversely affects memory, maturation, motivation, and can cause irreversible impact on young brains that are not fully developed…” (CALM Youth). CALM makes this claim to establish the connection between the use of the drug and school attendance. In a study done by the Department of Primary Care and General Practice in the United Kingdom, they “identified 48 relevant studies, of which 16 were of higher quality and provided the most robust evidence. Fairly consistent associations were noted between cannabis use and both lower educational attainment and increased reported use of other illicit drugs” (Macleod 1579). In asserting this, when access to marijuana is available, not only does marijuana affect the youth’s ability to develop, but it also forces them to drop-out of high school. This is due to the lack of educational attainment and reduced chance to graduate. In a recent study done by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), “Parents should recognize—and help their children understand—that playing with marijuana is like playing with fire” (CASA Prevention in Teens). In making this claim, CASA hopes to educate the youth about their choices and how it not only affects their development but also the people that are

One organization that can help foster the youth, is The Center for Communities That Care (CTC). The CTC “is part of the Social Development Research Group, an internationally recognized, interdisciplinary team of researchers and practitioners united in a common mission to understand and promote healthy behaviors and positive social development among children, adolescents and young adults” (About CTC). Basically, the CTC connects the youth with social opportunities to develop their maturity and strengthen their mind, body, and soul. In doing so, the youth become better bonded with their peers, family members, and the community. These better bonds lead to healthy behavior and a bright future as a smart, responsibility seeking