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Health Policy: Marijuana Legalization

Analysis of Current Policy:

The current laws regarding marijuana is a heavy debate, which needs to be addressed. The federal law regarding marijuana possession and sale is regulated by the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970. The possession of marijuana is considered a misdemeanor offense which may be punishable for a first offense of $5,000 and 1 year of prison.1 It also classifies any cannabimimetic agents as a schedule I drug.2 This law is ridiculous for a number of reasons. As defined by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) “Schedule I drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse”. 3  Marijuana contains the active ingredients tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD). Marijuana does have medical use, and in fact the FDA approved a CBD medication Epidiolex to treat Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. The FDA also approved Dronabinol and nabilone, which both contain THC. THC mediations may reduce inflammation, nausea and pain. Outside of the United States Nabiximol which contains both THC and CBD is used to treat muscle problems from multiple scleoris.4 Nicotine is not even a controlled substance and can be bought over the counter without a prescription. Nicotine has a lethal dose of 30 – 60 mg.5 The average cigar contains 100 – 200 mg of nicotine. 6 Although a cigar has enough nicotine to easily kill someone, the full amount of nicotine is not absorbed.7  It is highly unlikely to die from marijuana alone. The DEA states one would have to consume 20,000 to 40,000 times the amount of THC in a joint before someone would risk death from marijuana. 15 Cannabidiol is one of the active ingredients in marijuana, and it is considered a cannabimimetic agent, as such it is schedule I. It has not been shown to be abused or cause dependence, as such it doesn’t fit the classification of schedule I.8

Federal policies regarding marijuana are not enforced. Marijuana is the second most common psychotropic drug used in the United States.9 As a result, people develop a sense that it is okay to break the law. Since it is completely illegal, laws regulating how and when it can be used, can’t be made (e.g. driving after marijuana use). Additionally, many states have legalized marijuana. Marijuana is legal in 33 states and the District of Columbia. 11 of these states and D.C. legalized recreational marijuana.10

Recommendation for Future Policy:

Many bills have been created to change the legal status of marijuana. The H.R. 171, Legitimate Use of Medicinal Marijuana Act aims to change the schedule of marijuana from schedule I to schedule II.11  Some bills propose to change the schedule of marijuana, but this is not enough. Marijuana should not be a controlled substance and it should be regulated similarly to alcohol. The Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act aims to remove cannabis from being a controlled substance. It would also allow states to make their own laws regarding marijuana, which is the current case already. 12

              Marijuana, more specifically THC, affects judgment, motor coordination and reaction times. As such it is necessary to regulate it. Regulations should include who can use it, recreational use, medical use, and when it can be used. Marijuana is the most common drug found in the blood of drivers involved in motor vehicle accidents.13 Laws should be put in place banning driving post use of marijuana. The research on marijuana and its affects on the brain, especially the young brain is unclear. More research is needed. Current research shows marijuana can have negative effects on the brains of teenagers.14 Marijuana should still be illegal for people below the age of 21.

              Marijuana is currently federally illegally, yet ironically many states allow it. Future legislation should remove the federal control of marijuana. States should  legalize and regulate the possession and use of marijuana.

References:

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK217602/
  2. https://legcounsel.house.gov/Comps/91-513.pdf
  3. https://www.dea.gov/drug-scheduling
  4. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana-medicine
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3880486/
  6. https://www.verywellmind.com/facts-about-cigar-smoking-2824739
  7. https://ascpt.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/cpt1978232143
  8. https://thecannabisindustry.org/press-conference-the-ending-federal-marijuana-prohibition-act/
  9. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
  10. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana
  11. https://www.governing.com/gov-data/safety-justice/state-marijuana-laws-map-medical-recreational.html
  12. https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/171/all-info
  13. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/does-marijuana-use-affect-driving
  14. https://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/adolescent-development/substance-use/marijuana/risks/index.html
  15. https://www.promises.com/about-promises-treatment-centers/addiction-treatment-resources/many-people-died-weed/