In Steven Crowder’s latest mini-documentary he attempts to weed out the bad arguments for marijuana legalization by traveling to Ann Arbor, Mich., where the use of medical marijuana was legalized in 2004, to interview college students, high school students and experts about marijuana use.
After listening to the various arguments in favor of of marijuana legalization, Crowder attempts to dismantle four leading common man arguments with cold, hard facts.
“Listen, at the end of the day I can understand someone saying, ‘OK marijuana’s harmful, legalizing it will likely result in increased usage, and have possibly some negative societal ramifications here in the United States, but the federal government does not have the authority and has been largely ineffective in waging the War on Drugs.’ That’s a completely legitimate argument and there can be arguments made on both sides,” Crowder says in the video. “What I have a problem with, however, is a discussion being based upon a premise that is a lie.”
Crowder bemoans that not a single “man on the street” interviewed for the short film even mentions the Constitutional arguments against federal prohibition.
Amazingly, every student questioned by Crowder supported efforts to ban “Big Gulp” sugary drinks while opposing criminalization of marijuana use. Faced with his hypocrisy on the issue of being able to do what you want with your body, one student even tells Crowder, “Touche.”
Crowder provides evidence in the video that marijuana use often severely damages health. In fact, according to one expert interviewed by Crowder, marijuana may lead to early onset of schizophrenia in those genetically predisposed to the disorder. In addition, the same expert explained that marijuana use may also lead to other psychotic disorders.
Crowder also provided evidence that decriminalization would fail to significantly allow the incarceration system to reorient resources to serious offenders. According to data supplies by Crowder, only 1.4 percent of state prisoner are serving time for only marijuana related violations. In addition, Crowder supplies evidence from Los Angeles DEA that legalization actually increases other types of crime.
What about the argument that drug legalization results in diminished use? Crowder counters with several examples of higher rates of usage in localities with decriminalization policies versus localities with more strict enforcement. Unfortunately, this increased prevalence of marijuana use often impacts teenagers by negatively affecting brain development during the crucial period of adolescence.
Like many who advocate for a limited federal government, individual liberty, and personal responsibility, Crowder acknowledges the strong, Constitutional arguments opposing federal marijuana regulations. However, make the point that many leading advocates of marijuana legalization risk their credibility — and the chances of a more limited federal role in this issue — by distorting the facts.
