New Zealand is, and should be preserved as a clean and beautiful
country with minimal crime rates and drug use. There have been on-going debates as to whether the use of
marijuana should be decriminalised, and I believe that it should not be
legalised in New Zealand. Detriment to
health, societal consequences which arise due to the drug and the problems that
society already faces due to legal substances such as alcohol are the reasons
why marijuana should not be decriminalised.
Firstly, there is no safe level of drug use. Marijuana has no
positive effects on one’s health. “Previous studies…suggest that there may be risks to both mental and physical
health from using cannabis.” (Van Ours and Williams, 2012) According to Van Ours and Williams
(2011), there is a higher possibility of forming mental health problems, with
the probability of experiencing mental distress with the use of cannabis.
Williams and Skeels (2006) found that the probability of being in good or
excellent condition was 8% lower for those who had used cannabis in the past
year, and 18% lower for those who were reported to use the substance weekly.
Such research supports the notion that the use of marijuana lowers the level of
health. It decreases psychological wellbeing for men especially. Although these
risks are small, it is very significant. If marijuana becomes decriminalised in New Zealand,
the use of it will no doubt increase, it may become easier for young adults and
adolescents to access the drug, perhaps by means of second-hand smoke as is
often the case with tobacco. The thought of children being exposed to cannabis
is disturbing; it should not be used in public places, if at all.
Not only is health affected, but are there also societal
consequences. Long term effects such as impaired concentration, memory and
learning ability all contribute to the person’s ability to perform certain
tasks which are required in everyday life, whether they are in university or in occupations. In general, if
cannabis was to be legalised, with the increased use of the drug would be the
increased rate of these long term effects. This will inevitably be harmful towards society, with
a net loss of skills and ability throughout the population. Not only this, but
if the overall health rates decrease, then the health of future generations’ is
also at risk in New Zealand. Other
social problems such as disagreements and frustration over the drug use could
cause family arguments and also affect relationships, another phenomenon which
is bound to increase with increased use. Although studies suggest the drug does
not have a high rate of addiction; “Most people use
cannabis without becoming addicted,” (Van Ours and Williams, 2012),
rates of addiction are also likely to rise with increased use. If marijuana was
to be legalised in New Zealand, there would likely be a larger number of people
having to struggle with addiction, withdrawal and intoxication associated with
marijuana use which is definitely not the best for the economy, society or the
country in general.
Marijuana can be compared with legal substances such as cigarettes or
alcohol. Marijuana has similar effects as alcohol, and studies suggest that many
people think it is less harmful than alcohol or cigarettes. “In New Zealand…cannabis
is by far the most widely used and purchased illegal drug.” (Wilkins and
Sweetsur, 2006) and the widespread use of marijuana “reflects the common belief that cannabis is not a particularly
harmful drug”. (Van Ours and
Williams, 2012). One could optimistically say that if the drug was to become
legal, those who wish to smoke it would use it with responsibility. However,
this theory is difficult to accept, as legal mind-altering substances such as
alcohol are already being abused. What makes one think that people won’t abuse
marijuana? The prices of cigarettes, not only in New Zealand, but around the
world, are rising slowly but surely as a means of persuading smokers to quit.
With the decriminalisation of cannabis, common problems which arise with the
use of mind-altering drugs would also increase. Driving after using the drug
can cause side effects such as distorted perception, impaired coordination and
sleepiness. There are already more than enough accidents associated with
driving while; an increase for accidents associated with the use of cannabis
following legalisation would a truly unfortunate. Injuries and death associated
with intoxication, as well as the possibility of increased crime rates due to
decreased impulse control all could be a by-product of the legalisation of
marijuana.
Marijuana should not
be decriminalised in New Zealand as doing this would not yield any benefits for
the country. Marijuana poses harm not only to health, but it also has a detrimental
effect on society. Diseases such as respiratory disorders, cancer and perhaps
psychotic disorders are associated with long-term heavy use of marijuana
despite public perception of it as a ‘safe drug.’ The risk of increasing the
rate of people with substance abuse and crime related to the use of marijuana
is also a reasonable concern. On balance, the detrimental effects of legalising
marijuana mean that this is an issue which requires on-going discussion with
all invested parties in order to create effective legislation, it is certainly
not an issue to be dealt with lightly.
References:
Drug facts: Marijuana. (2010, November). Retrieved October 5, 2012 from the
World Wide Web: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana.
How Drugs
Affect You: Cannabis. (2012, January 25). Melbourne: Australian Drug Foundation.
Retrieved October 5, 2012 from the World Wide Web: http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/drug-facts/cannabis?gclid=CMbPsfD45rICFQXhQgodzxkATA#effects
Van Ours,
J.C., Williams, J. (2012) The effects of cannabis use on physical and mental
health. Journal of Health Economics, 31
(4), 564-577.
Wilkins, C., Sweetsur, P. (2006). Exploring the structure of the illegal
market for cannabis. New Zealand: Springer.
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