Marijuana Legalization

How can we get through a Texas course without talking about Texas’s marijuana policy? Position of Marijuana is still a crime in Texas.  But, at the local level over the past few years we’ve seen local government implement their own policy, for example, much of Harris county practices a diversion program (https://abc13.com/kim-ogg-marijuana-in-harris-county-houston-news-pot/1757801/.  The decriminalization and legalization has been a hot topic in the US over the past few years with many states changing their policy and some legalizing it for recreational use.  

Marijuana though is still illegal federally which makes it tough on businesses that legally produce either medical or recreational marijuana with their state. Take for example finding banks to give you loans, adequately insure your business, or the process of paying federal taxes. Then there is the issue about public health. Despite having a safer “reputation” than alcohol (very few studies have been done to actually test this), there are plenty of dangers marijuana use poses on young people. And if marijuana is legalized, wouldn’t teen use likely increase? After all, how easy was (or is) it for you to get alcohol when you were underage? Would marijuana also eventually be that easily accessible for young people? With all that said, are we at a tipping point that marijuana use has gotten so socially acceptable, and prosecution of marijuana offenses, has caused such a strain on our criminal justice system (not to mention the embedded racial bias in many of our current drug laws) that it is time to legalize it, negative consequences and all? These are some questions to ponder, and there are plenty more not listed. 

So what are you thoughts?  Should the marijuana laws in Texas be changed?  If yes, how so and why?  If no, then why not?

Additional resources:

https://www.texastribune.org/2020/01/28/texas-marijuana-laws-2020-what-you-need-know/ (Links to an external site.)

https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/experts-say-marijuana-legalization-could-alleviate-texas-economic-losses-from-shutdown (Links to an external site.)

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/19/how-the-covid-19-crisis-may-impact-cannabis-legalization.html (Links to an external site.)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-teens-marijuana-laws/legalizing-pot-tied-to-less-teen-marijuana-use-idUSKCN1U32HL (Links to an external site.)

A health blog on the impact of marijuana on teens:

https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Marijuana-and-Teens-106.aspx