Marijuana Prohibition: A Loss of Freedom

The Ninth Amendment of the United States Constitution states, "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people." Simply put, this means that, although limited in its scope of rights and privileges, any particular right, even if not mentioned specifically in the Constitution, cannot be taken away from the American people. Yet, the chosen lifestyles of one particular group of people are violated almost every day: marijuana smokers. Victims of social stigmatization and harsh penalties, marijuana smokers must suffer because of the innumerable falsities and fallacies held by many people, including lawmakers, concerning marijuana. However, when an educated mind disregards the misconceptions about marijuana and analyzes the factual information, the relative personal and societal harm caused by marijuana usage does not warrant its overwhelmingly harsh punishment, nor does it merit the economic strain caused by the enforcement of radical prohibition laws.

What Is It?

Marijuana is part of the cannabis family. Considered to be a mild hallucinogen, it produces feelings of euphoria and well-being, a loss of inhibition, an altered sense of time, heightened senses, and, upon high dosage, slight hallucinations. Its active chemical is a cannabinoid called Delta-9 tetrahyrocannabinol, or THC. Research has shown that the human body naturally produces a cannabinoid-like endorphine called anandamine, and that, upon entering the brain, THC locks onto the same receptor cells as does anandamine. THC affects the cerebellum, which coordinates movement and balance; the hippocampus, which dictates thinking and memory; and the rostral ventromedial medulla, in which the pain response is moderated (Booth 12-13).

Damaging and Addictive?

The subject of marijuana's addictive and damaging properties is a hotly debated topic. According to many opponents of marijuana, it is a highly addictive substance. Recent statistics report that 150,000 individuals enter treatment each year for marijuana addiction. Marijuana "addicts," according to many experts, experience a decrease in social, occupational or recreational activities; are unable to discontinue their marijuana usage; experience a tolerance buildup and must consume more marijuana for the desired effect; and continue marijuana usage despite the knowledge it can cause severe psychological problems. Claiming marijuana to be emotionally and mentally addictive, experts contend that marijuana addicts allow marijuana to develop into who they believe themselves to be (Marijuana Addiction 1).

However, the question still remains as to whether these circumstances are entirely true, and, if so, warrant the criminalization of marijuana. Compared to studies done on food addiction, the patterns of addiction are very similar. Not only is the intensified pleasure of consuming unhealthy foods psychologically addictive, consumption of large quantities of sugar, salt, caffeine, or fried foods disturbs the body's homeostatic balance. Subverting natural hunger, a food addict will experience powerful cravings for these products, and ceasing consumption can cause actual physical withdrawal symptoms, including nausea and discomfort (McGregor 1). Yet, despite exhibiting equally and sometimes more severe addictive properties than marijuana, in no way is the sale of unhealthy foods moderated, prohibited, or punishable by law. But, according to government-sanctioned studies, the number of people considered obese by Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements is above 44 million (Prevalence of Obesity 1). Eating disorders affect 5 to 10 million people in the United States. Although many consider the US to have an "epidemic of obesity," there are no laws limiting the consumption of food (Eating Disorder Awareness 1).

A study commissioned by President Nixon, which performed extensive studies on regular marijuana users, discovered that "[no] significant physical, biochemical, or mental abnormalities could be attributed solely to their marihuana smoking." Upon abruptly ceasing usage, extremely heavy users experienced common non-specific psychological withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia; however, no specific form of abstinence syndrome occurred, and physical dependence has not been found in either man or animal. Additionally, although marijuana consumption caused short-term memory loss during intoxication, there was no link between marijuana and the recollection of previous memories (Marijuana Use 1).

Relatively Harmless?

Estimated U.S. Deaths Per Year

Cigarette Smoking 390,000

Alcohol 80,000

Cocaine 2,200

Heroin 2,000

Aspirin 2,000

Marijuana 0

(Rosenthal & Kubby 56)

When compared to the mortality statistics of other substances, marijuana seems relatively harmless. In experiments performed on mice, scientists discovered that the ratio of THC needed to produce intoxication compared to the amount needed for overdose was 40,000 to one; comparatively, the ratio for alcohol was between four and ten to one. Because of this striking statistic, there is absolutely no risk of overdose whatsoever. Additionally, marijuana is so harmless that it only received mention in 0.02% of the 86 million emergency room visits in 1994 (Rosenthal & Kubby 55). In fact, it has been estimated that it would take roughly 800 joints to kill a human being, and death would come from carbon monoxide as opposed to cannabinoid poisoning. Comparatively, it only takes 300 mL of vodka or 60 mg of nicotine to cause death (Booth 13). And despite containing many of the same cancer-causing chemicals as cigarettes, marijuana does not contain as many harmful chemicals as cigarettes, and, in many cases, contains significantly less amounts of these chemicals (O'Brien 49). Many opponents of marijuana legalization blame marijuana intoxication for driving accidents; however, in a 1996 study performed by the National Highway Transport Safety Administration, the effects of marijuana on driving were found to be "in no way unusual compared to many medicinal drugs." Although marijuana was found to have some effect on driving, it was found to be "not profoundly impairing" (Rosenthal and Kubby 58). Yet alcohol and cigarettes are both legal and available virtually anywhere. Marijuana's opponents express concern about deaths related to marijuana usage, but the fact remains that there have