AntiLegalization Thesis Essay Research Paper Ben EvenchikLegalization — страница 3

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the keys and driving somewhere. In one study conducted in Memphis, TN, researchers found that, out of 150 reckless drivers who were tested for drugs at the arrest scene, 33 percent tested positive for marijuana, while 14 percent tested positive for both marijuana and alcohol (http://165.112.78.61/marijbroch/Marijteenstxt.html#1). In 1976, California experimented by decriminalizing marijuana. Within the first six months, arrests for driving under the influence of cannabis rose 46 percent for adults and 71.4 percent for juveniles (Rogues, 1995). Decriminalizing marijuana in Alaska and Oregon in the 1970s resulted in the doubling of use (Rogues, 1995). Though there is no evidence that legalizing drugs will reduce these misdeeds, there is evidence that suggests it would worsen the

problem. Also, data has shown that while smoking marijuana, people show the same lack of coordination on standard “drunk driver” tests as do people who have had too much to drink (http://165.112.78.61/marijbroch/Marijteenstxt.html#8). When students were asked about driving under the influence of marijuana, they responded by saying “Driving high feels good, but its really easy to lose track of whats going on. I always have to make myself concentrate but I can only do that for so long before my mind starts drifting away most of the close calls I’ve had driving were when I was stoned I don’t care what anyone else says, you drive worse high because your attention span decreases.” (2001) The reason there aren’t a great deal of accidents in Amsterdam lies in the fact that

most of the population either walks or bikes to their destination, with very few Amsterdamians actually owning a car (Leuw & Marshall, 1994). Other then the occasional stumble, there really is no danger in walking around town “high”. Because America is so spread out however, automobiles are an absolute necessity. Thus, it would be unfair to equate the legalization of marijuana in Amsterdam with the potential legalization of marijuana in America. Simply the fact that the layouts of the two regions are so extensively different and the fact that America is extremely auto-centric should be enough evidence against legalization in America. If, however, marijuana is legalized in America, the government would have to set up an organization (which would inevitably raise taxes)

that would closely monitor driving because there would undoubtedly be more accidents. Is it really worth paying more money and risking your own life for a simple “high”? Due to a lack of research, it is unknown, at least in the eyes of scientists, whether or not marijuana is truly physically addictive (http://www.csus.edu/hlth/adc/marhealth.html). There have been, however, documented reports and accounts of people having trouble quitting (Leuw & Marshall, 1994). This promotes the idea that marijuana could be psychologically addictive. According to one study, marijuana use by teenagers who have had serious antisocial problems can quickly lead to dependence on the drug (http://165.112.78.61/MarijBroch/parentref.html#4). From interviews, users found that quitting is

“fuckin hard as hell its not so much that I’m physically dependent on it, but that I just love the feeling it gives me so much, its hard to force yourself not to want to be high.” (2001). While not everyone who uses marijuana becomes addicted, it is quite common that a user, at some time or another, will begin to seek out and take the drug compulsively. That person is then said to be dependent on the drug or addicted to it (Tonry & Wilson, 1990). In 1995, 165,000 people entering drug treatment programs reported marijuana as their primary drug of abuse, showing they needed help to stop using (Tonry & Wilson, 1990). Some heavy users of marijuana have even shown signs of physical dependence, although it is “still unknown whether or not [it] is actually physically

addictive” (Tonry & Wilson, 1990). It has been observed that when they do not use the drug, they develop a variety of withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, loss of appetite, insomnia, weight loss, and shaky hands (http://www.iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/students/Marques/PROHIB.HTM). Clearly, more research must be done in order to concretely prove that marijuana is indeed physically addictive. Prolonged usage of marijuana can result in a state called “burn-out” where young people who have smoked marijuana over long periods become dull, slow moving and inattentive (http://www.csus.edu/hlth/adc/marhealth.html). This state of “burn-out” not only increases the risk of poor academic performance, but also has been proven to breed apathy and decreased motivation. Research