(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
new york times In a new editorial, he believes it’s time to “acknowledge reality” and “acknowledge” that America has a “marijuana problem,” acknowledging that legalizing marijuana in most states has had a variety of adverse consequences.
“This editorial board has long supported marijuana legalization. In 2014, we published a six-part series comparing federal marijuana prohibition to alcohol prohibition and arguing for repeal. Much of what we wrote at the time was valid, but not all of it.” era. “At the time, supporters of legalization predicted it would have few negative consequences. In our editorial, we described marijuana addiction and dependence as a “relatively minor problem.” Many advocates went further, claiming marijuana was a harmless drug and might even have net health benefits. They also said legalization might not lead to increased use.”
“It is now clear that many of these predictions were wrong. Legalization has led to more use. Surveys show that in recent years, about 18 million people in the United States have smoked marijuana almost daily (or about five times a week). That’s up from about 6 million people in 2012 and less than 1 million in 1992. More Americans now smoke marijuana every day than drink alcohol,” the report acknowledges. “This wider use has led to an increase in addiction and other problems. Each year, nearly 2.8 million people in the United States suffer from cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, which causes severe vomiting and stomach pain. Many more people are also hospitalized for marijuana-related paranoia and chronic psychosis. Bystanders are also harmed, including people who drive under the influence of marijuana.”
Ms Gray stopped short of calling for a blanket ban on the sale and use of the drug, instead advocating for a policy of “grudging tolerance” that could upset the “big weeds”, who she said had a “financial incentive to mislead the public about the products they are selling”.
“The biggest winners from Mr. Trump’s decision to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III are marijuana companies, not regular smokers. This change will increase the profits of these businesses by making the tax code treat them more favorably. This is not grudging tolerance,” it noted before concluding: “The unfortunate truth is that the relaxation of marijuana policy—especially the decision to legalize marijuana without adequate regulation—has led to worse outcomes than for many Americans. It’s time to acknowledge reality and change course.”
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