This year, those lighting up to celebrate the pro-marijuana legalization movement holiday need to remember their actions carry more weight than they would in other years. Those hopeful for widespread marijuana legalization must make their case — by not being stupid.
April 20 has become a “holiday” for marijuana users, a day on which they light up to celebrate the pastime. While many are excited to enjoy their right (in few states) or their still illegal recreation (in most states), they should be mindful that their actions can alter the direction of widespread legalization.
People often oppose marijuana legalization because of its adverse effects on smokers and those around them. When marijuana users make news for irresponsible behavior, they arm those against legalization with examples of marijuana use gone wrong.
Many Americans might acknowledge the prospect of marijuana legalization isn’t so bad, if it was just smokers who had to endure any negative consequences. However, when people choose to drive under the influence, or harm people, their actions affect others and fuel the anti-legalization fire. This is much in the same way that personal alcohol abuse may not lead people to strengthen or create anti-alcohol laws, but when that abuse affects others — such as drunk driving — more may become sympathetic to such laws.
In 2014 alone, 11 states have proposed legislation that would legalize marijuana. Two of those and nine others are also considering legislation that would decriminalize marijuana. The best way to enable the success of these bills and encourage others to follow suit is to show that people can and will smoke responsibly. This is especially true for those in Colorado, where pot stores opened legally several months ago.
It is understandable that those wary of legalizing marijuana would prefer to see it work well in a small number of states before allowing it to be attempted nationwide. Trying out a new law in a small area is beneficial, as it allows kinks to be worked out, shows whether or not the law works and reveals any unintended consequences.
Thus far, the closely-watched Colorado experiment in legalization has proven largely beneficial for advocates of legalization. Their case has been strengthened by evidence that criminal and property crime has decreased in Colorado over the past year. While correlation does not necessarily equal causation, some researchers have found evidence that legalization may be to thank for the reduction in crime. They are unsure why this is the case, but at the very least, the legalization of marijuana hasn’t led to an increase is crime.
On the flip side, marijuana use has recently led to two deaths in Colorado. One man with no history of violence shot his wife after reportedly consuming marijuana candy, and a student jumped to his death after consuming six times the recommended amount of pot. Examples like these, while likely isolated, and, at least in one case, due to extensive overuse, feed the anti-legalization fire.
“It’s going to dispel the myth that there’s no downside, that there’s no side effect, to this drug,” Thornton police Sgt. Jim Gerhard said. “It’s sad that people are going to have to be convinced with the blood of Coloradans.”
Isolated incidents are no less significant, as these are issues of human life and health. Respect for health and safety are the real reasons any drug user should aim to use responsibly and why some are skeptical about legalizing marijuana use.
That is why it is important for marijuana users to actively work to minimize the drug’s negative impacts — especially in Colorado and especially on 4/20. More examples of marijuana use gone wrong give opponents more reason to oppose and those on the fence more reason to lean against legalization.
