Will more marijuana really make America a better place? It’s a question people are asking, especially those who have witnessed the effects of drugs in cities like New York or San Francisco.
Now, President Trump seems to be contemplating a change in the federal classification of marijuana, potentially making it easier to buy and sell, and in turn, more profitable.
The marijuana industry has poured significant resources into pushing for a reassignment from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3 status. At a Trump fundraising dinner recently, industry leaders were excited to hear what the president might be planning.
However, it’s crucial that the president looks beyond the interests of the cannabis lobby. What does more accessible marijuana mean for the average American?
Currently, twenty-four states have legalized recreational marijuana, which raises questions since the earlier adopters of this policy have faced various consequences. The push for Colorado’s marijuana law back in 2012 was fueled by a high Democratic turnout in President Obama’s re-election year, though the law didn’t go into effect until two years later. Fast forward to 2022, and marijuana use in Colorado and other legalized states was about 24% higher than in states where it remained illegal.
In a recent study by Korean scholar Sunyoung Lee, crime rates in states where marijuana was legalized are examined. Lee argues that, rather than decreasing crime, legalization may actually correlate with an increase in property and potentially violent crimes.
Marijuana advocates often claim that it’s the bans, not the drug itself, that foster crime. Yet, without evidence like Lee’s study suggesting legalized marijuana might exacerbate crime, this argument falls flat. Legalizing the drug seems to undercut illegal operations, but not always effectively.
If something like bank robbery were made legal, the criminal element wouldn’t then need to be violent. Similarly, if auto theft were permissible, the underground chop shops would lose their required danger, assuming those operations mirror today’s marijuana market.
Some libertarians see drug legalization as a way to curb violence. Ironically, this puts them closer in ideology to left-wing extremists who advocate against prosecuting property crimes.
This mindset shows a lack of understanding for both personal and collective safety. There are indeed costs associated with protecting property and ensuring public safety, particularly in how marijuana laws play out in communities.
Initially, legalization was framed as a means to allow individual freedom in personal consumption, but many Americans are left grappling with the reality of legalized marijuana. The pervasive odor and visible signs of addiction can be overwhelming in some neighborhoods.
There’s a sense that these issues shouldn’t be trivialized. It’s not the worst thing one can experience, but it’s not harmless, either. Accepting such behavior can lead to further tolerance of more severe issues.
My own experience in the suburbs of DC drives this point home. I once watched an African American bus driver express frustration over teenagers smoking joints around him. He represented the working-class, and it seemed everyone had a stake in how we address such matters.
Not long after, I noticed a young mother walking with her little girl while passing a pot shop. It dawned on me that the billion-dollar marijuana industry was now targeting even the youngest in our communities.
Our neighborhoods shouldn’t become havens for drug use. President Trump should consider the potential implications of yielding to the marijuana lobby, as it could lead to negative outcomes for many Americans.
