Legalization of Cannabis

LEGALIZATION OF CANNABIS LEGALIZATION OF CANNABIS

By Conrad Cheng | Illustration by Michelle Qiu | Layout by Adelaide Ng

摘要：無可否認，毒品對於年輕⼈潛 在許多健康風險。但是，近年來，美 國數個州份將娛樂性⼤麻合法化，到 底這個具有爭議性的舉動背後有什麼 原因，⼜會對社會法律平等和經濟帶 來什麼影響呢？

In an “Ask Me Anything” session on Reddit in 2012, California rapper Snoop Dogg claimed that he smokes 81 blunts (hollow cigars filled with cannabis) a day. At that time, while it was legal to possess cannabis for medical purposes in California, recreational cannabis was yet to be legalized. Though Snoop Dogg most likely had a prescription from a doctor, it is unlikely that any medical professional would recommend smoking once every twelve minutes, nor is it physically possible to smoke such a large amount on a regular basis. If anything, this statement is a testament to the detrimental effects cannabis has on our cognitive ability. However, following California’s legalization of recreational cannabis in 2016,

Snoop Dogg has been able to legally purchase cannabis from a registered dispensary an ounce at a time.

Since 2016, 11 more states have legalized recreational cannabis, taking the tally to 16 out of 50. Another 14 states have decriminalized recreational cannabis, meaning that criminal sanctions are no longer applied to the possession of cannabis under a certain threshold. To most Xiao Hua readers who call

Hong Kong home, legalizing this illicit drug may feel like an abyss of the mind, causing some of the motives and potential benefits behind this policy to be overlooked. 52 ISSUE 24 XIAO HUA

“Cannabis” is a psychoactive drug (a substance that affects one’s mental In an “Ask Me Anything” session on Reddit in 2012, California rapper Snoop Dogg claimed that he processes) from the Cannabis Sativa plant. It smokes 81 blunts (hollow cigars filled with cannabis) a day. At that time, while it was legal to possess contains two main compounds, THC cannabis for medical purposes in California, recreational cannabis was yet to be legalized. Though Snoop (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD Dogg most likely had a prescription from a doctor, it is unlikely that any medical professional would (Cannabidiol), with THC being the main recommend smoking once every twelve minutes, nor is it physically possible to smoke such a large psychoactive compound that makes us feel “high”. While cannabis may help reduce amount on a regular basis. If anything, this statement is a testament to the detrimental effects cannabis has on our cognitive ability. However, following California’s legalization of recreational cannabis in 2016, Snoop Dogg has been able to legally purchase cannabis from a registered dispensary an ounce at a time. anxiety, pain and increase appetite, evidence suggests that it does come with negative Since 2016, 11 more states have legalized recreational cannabis, taking the tally to 16 out of 50. Another 14 health effects, particularly on brain health. In states have decriminalized recreational cannabis, meaning that criminal sanctions are no longer applied the short run, chronic cannabis use impacts to the possession of cannabis under a certain threshold. To most Xiao Hua readers who call Hong Kong our memory, attention, and ability to learn. home, legalizing this illicit drug may feel like an abyss of the mind, causing some of the motives and potential benefits behind this policy to be overlooked. These short-term effects may also carry on into the long term, especially among teenage users, as cannabis hinders brain development “Cannabis” is a psychoactive drug (a substance that affects one’s mental processes) from the Cannabis directly affecting their academic performance Sativa plant. It contains two main compounds, THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (Cannabidiol), with in school. THC being the main psychoactive compound that makes us feel “high”. While cannabis may help reduce anxiety, pain and increase appetite, evidence suggests that it does come with negative health effects, particularly on brain health. In the short run, chronic cannabis use impacts our memory, attention, and

In addition to this, teenage users are more ability to learn. These short-term effects may also carry on into the long term, especially among teenage prone to addiction, as evidence from the CDC users, as cannabis hinders brain development directly affecting their academic performance in school. suggests that 1 in 6 cannabis users below the age of 18 suffer from addiction, while only 1 in 10 adult users are addicted. A poll conducted In addition to this, teenage users are more prone to addiction, as evidence from the CDC suggests that 1 in 6 cannabis users below the age of 18 suffer from addiction, while only 1 in 10 adult users are addicted. A poll conducted by Gallup found that around 12% of adults in the United States have used cannabis in the past year. Among them, 18-29 year olds are twice as likely to use cannabis than 30-49 year olds, with by Gallup found that around 12% of adults in 22% of young adults claiming to be users of the drug. The use of drugs among teens is also on the rise, the United States have used cannabis in the topping the list of the most commonly abused drugs among high school seniors in the United States at 35% past year. Among them, 18-29 year olds are twice as likely to use cannabis than 30-49 year olds, with 22% of young adults claiming Despite these potential negative health impacts, some argue that to be users of the drug. The use of drugs they are less adverse and cause less social harm than legal among teens is also on the rise, topping the substances such as alcohol and tobacco, pushing the legalization list of the most commonly abused drugs of cannabis into mainstream discourse. With public support among high school seniors in the United of this policy at an all-time high, many countries and

States at 35%.in regions around the world have initiated cannabis decriminalization/legalization bills, mainly supported by three

Despite these potential negative health arguments: racial equity, economic, and safety. This article will impacts, some argue that they are less examine these arguments in the context of the United States. adverse and cause less social harm than legal substances such as alcohol and tobacco, pushing the legalization of cannabis into Cannabis was prohibited in 1937 following the Marihuana Tax Act, a policy that originated from racist roots. Harry J. Anslinger, the head of the Bureau of Narcotics, spearheaded the prohibition of cannabis, mainstream discourse. With public support of through a campaign that capitalized on bigotry and stoked hatred this policy at an all-time high, many countries towards minorities. Anslinger first portrayed cannabis as a drug that and in regions around the world have initiated induced violent behavior, such as murder and rape, then linked it to cannabis decriminalization/legalization bills, African Americans and Mexicans, whom he referred to as “degenerate races”. mainly supported by three arguments: racial 52 ISSUE 24 XIAO HUA equity, economic, and safety. This article will examine these arguments in the context of the

In order to further incite racial bigotry and hatred, Anslinger claimed that cannabis threatened the supremacy of white people and white virtues, stating that it “makes darkies think they’re as good as white men”, and even suggested that it caused white women to have sex with black men. The discriminatory nature of the bill did not end after its enactment, but also intensified racial bias in the enforcement of cannabis-related laws, disproportionately affecting minority groups. Though the Marihuana Tax Act was ruled unconstitutional in 1969, its discriminatory legacy lives on until this day. According to the ACLU, African Americans are four times more likely to be arrested for cannabis-related offenses despite using and selling the drug at similar rates as white Americans. The impacts are far-reaching as around 700,000 cannabis-related arrests are made per year, potentially ripping families apart and affecting employment opportunities and housing opportunities, if found guilty. Hence, proponents argue that the legalization of recreational cannabis is an important step towards combating discriminatory practices and racial bias in the criminal justice system, as well as recognizing the hardships minority groups have faced due to the criminalization of cannabis.

Due to the large number of cannabis-related arrests per year, enforcement is often costly. In a report published by the ACLU in 2013, $3.6 billion USD is spent on enforcing and monitoring cannabis laws. Putting this sum into context, the Los Angeles Police Department’s annual budget stands at around $3.6 billion annually. If cannabis were to be legalized, the regional government budget will likely drop substantially. Apart from reducing government expenditure on enacting enforcement, proponents argue that legalization will also bring upon increased tax revenue and create employment opportunities. According to a study by New Frontier Data, “national legalization in the United States would result in $128.8 billion in tax revenue, and an estimated 1.6 million new jobs.” Despite cannabis being illegal federally and fully legalized in less than 20 states, around 250,000 people are currently employed by the cannabis industry as of January 2020, trumping the number of coal industry workers by 4 times. With unemployment at an all-time high in recent years, some argue that legalization is a plausible remedy for boosting employment in the short-term.

Besides economic benefits, legalization of the black market to light, resulting in higher states where cannabis is illicit, consumers

cannabis industry means bringing the product safety and transparency. In have no choice but to turn to the black market. In a black market, products are not properly regulated and often lack transparency in its origin, content, and potency. According to the American Addiction Centers, lacing is a common practice in the black market, as producers often combine other substances, such as lead and embalming fluid in order to achieve maximum profitability. The potency of cannabis is also on the rise, with the average THC (main psychoactive compound) content of cannabis increasing from around 3.7% in the 1990s to 9.6% in 2013, where more people are likely to get “high” than they were 2 decades ago. Government regulation not only ensures the quality of cannabis on the market, but also allows consumers to make informed decisions, especially on potency when purchasing.

However, regulation of the industry is often challenging, as a POLITICO magazine article puts it “underfunded law enforcement officers and slow-moving regulators are having trouble building a legal regime fast enough to contain a high-demand product that already has a large existing criminal network to supply it.” In some cases, legalization has inadvertently fueled the black market. Unlicensed dealerships are prevalent among licensed dispensaries in Los Angeles, while states bordering states with legalized cannabis are experiencing a growing influx of illegal weed. It is evident that the enforcement of regulations is in need of refinement, in order for the original intent of legalization to be achieved.

Regardless of how successful legalization has been, it is without a question that this policy is a growing trend globally. With more than two-thirds of Americans supporting it, many no longer see cannabis as a dangerous drug, instead view it as a soft drug that is safer than alcohol. While some propose regulating cannabis akin to alcohol, many fear that the destigmatization that comes with legalization only enhances long-term use and addiction. Whereas, others are concerned about the “slippery slope” scenario, as the legalization of one drug leads to the legalization of another. Now cannabis, what’s next? With mixed opinions among the scientific community, how do we discern between a drug that should stay illicit and a “safer” drug that should be legalized? Ultimately, science may not even be the determining factor at all.