Marijuana Culture

The recent liberalization of marijuana laws has come with mixed responses. Not being a smoker myself, the fears I have as a parent are that potential increase in availability encourages a broader use of the drug. Additionally that marijuana use can potentially be a gate way drug to more illicit drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine use which we all know to be very dangerous and addictive. Marijuana use is the highest drug used behind alcohol (not including cigarettes) when it comes to drug use. Past statistics have not shown a significant increase in marijuana use associated with the ability of high school aged teenagers ability to gain access to it (Hart, Ksir. 2008). The media also tends to create a perception of topics both good and bad. The idea that if your college age son or daughter might sit around and eat cereal while watching cartoons instead of attending class if they use marijuana can often be the fear. Or that they will be completely unmotivated and living in your garage asking for hot pockets at age 35 is a parental nightmare. The reality is that many people use pot much the way normal drinkers have alcohol. In moderation and not to the point that it inhibits their lives and normal daily function. I for one am not motivated to support marijuana use for economic reasons (taxes) which many are. The secondary concern is the impact it may or may not have on crime and organized gangs which have used the drug trade as their financial cash cow. If it comes down to legalizing marijuana and the term "this bud is for you" takes on a new meaning however dismantles the street drug trade, it will be choosing the lesser of two evils.