Legalization of Illegal Drugs (Essay Sample)

LEGALIZING LIGHT DRUGS: PROS AND CONS
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The debate about whether or not to legalize illegal light drugs has been going on for a long time now. The complexity of this debate is brought about by the fact that there are numerous pros and cons involved. Even though some light drugs such as marijuana remain illegal in most parts of the world, other light drugs like alcohol and tobacco are legally produced and consumed. It is on such trends that proponents of legalization of light drugs base their arguments. However, illegal light drugs have been found to contain harmful substances and properties. In the middle of all this, some countries such as Jamaica and Uruguay have gone ahead and legalized the consumption of marijuana, among other light drugs. Similarly, marijuana is prescribed for medical purposes in most of the states in North America. Legalizing illegal light drugs poses adverse risks to the economy, culture and health of society.
Light drugs that have already been legalized are covered and protected by laws and regulations. In this regard, there are standard production and retail procedures which ensure that certain thresholds are upheld. The success of alcohol and tobacco products in the consumer markets has been used as leverage in the campaign for legalization of marijuana. The logic here is that marijuana, among other illegal light drugs, can be provided to consumers at regulated and standardized amounts. In the current situation where the use of marijuana is not regulated, there are many cases of overdosing and deaths. Deaths and medical cases caused by illegal light drugs can be avoided by legalizing and regulating the drugs.
If legalized, light drugs can stimulate the economy by providing a steady flow of revenue to the government. Government policies around the world have a tendency of imposing heavy taxes on luxurious products, including drugs. Therefore, legalizing marijuana would ensure that all activities involving the drug are taxed and hence increase in government revenue. Furthermore, legalization would also ensure that proper health warnings are displayed to provide information to the consumers. The order imposed by the regulation would also ensure that criminal activities associated with illegal drugs are eliminated from society. For example, cases of turf wars between drug barons, as well as assassinations would decrease once light drugs are legalized.
The health risks caused by illegal drugs are too obvious to ignore. For example, marijuana is associated with schizophrenia and death among its users. Therefore, the government has an obligation to protect its citizens from substances that would harm their health. The moral obligation of the government stands against any reason to legalize a drug that has been proven to cause mental health problems, as well as death. Furthermore, light drugs have a high addictive property that hooks its users within a short period. This means that consumption of light drugs leads to drug dependency, a conditions where the body cannot function without the drug. Consequently, drug users become non-productive citizens causing stagnation of the economy.
In conclusion, light drugs have taken center stage in discussions about drug use and policy. The discussion about legalizing light drugs has been extended by the presence of contrasting pros and cons. Even though some light drugs have already been legalized in most parts of the world, marijuana, among other popular light drugs, remain illegal. The adverse health effects caused by the drugs, coupled ...