Open topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Open topic - Essay Example Opponents of marijuana use have offered diversified arguments to support the current laws that limit application of the drug. One of the arguments identifies the intoxicating effect of the drug and notes that legalizing it will have adverse effects on physical activities. Using the work environment as an example, the opponents explain that when people get stoned after using the drug, they are not able to concentrate on their work. Inefficiency at work and mistakes that can lead to accidents will therefore be on the rise with adverse effects on the economy at both macro and microeconomic levels. Loss of focus is also feared among drivers should they drive under significant influence of marijuana because this is likely to increase incidences of road accidents. This is because marijuana affects people’s rationale and reduces ability to make instantaneous responses. It is also argued that smoking marijuana is immoral because of its effect on the society. Legalizing the drug is lik ely to increase its exposure and young people will be more vulnerable to using it. At the same time, the drug has adverse effects such as damaging users’ bodies and mind. Significance of these effects has been used to support current laws (Steve 48). Habits develop gradually and this offers another argument against legalization of marijuana. The proponents of the status quo on illegality of marijuana argue that marijuana will act as a stepping-stone to consumption of stronger drugs. Making marijuana legal will expose many people to use and dependence on drugs and the victims, after a period of consumption, will seek drugs that can offer greater stimulating effects. Disadvantages of the hard drugs such as adverse effects on people’s bodies develop fears that legalization of marijuana will have serious secondary effects. Effects of smoking on other people are another offered reason for opposing legalization of marijuana. While a smoker has intentions to expose self to sm oke and chemicals in marijuana, such smoking exposes other people to the factors. This only favors smokers and it endangers their lives at no benefit at all. The government however has the responsibility for protecting the public through such arms and formulation of policies that limits such usage and strict implementation of the policies ensures that people do not suffer because of effects of secondary smoking. It is also believed that legalization of marijuana could set a bad precedent towards calls for an eventual legalization of harder drugs. This will however be detrimental to the society because of the more adverse effects of the hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin (Balanced Politics 1). Analysis of these opponent arguments however exposes a number of weaknesses because the fears can be managed or may not be real. Considering the proposed adverse effects of marijuana legalization on safety on roads or at workplaces, legalizing the drug may increase its accessibility but that does not mean that the other drugs are safe. Alcohol, for example, is legal and have similar effects as the proposed effects of marijuana. Developed measures such as laws that regulate driving while intoxicated and work environment’s codes of conduct have regulated alcohol consumption and can be used to regulate consumption of marijuana at places