The risk of legalizing marijuana as a recreational drug in North America

doi:10.15406/mojamt.2017.03.00043

MOJ

eISSN: 2573-2935

Addiction Medicine & Therapy

Mini Review Volume 3 Issue 4

The risk of legalizing marijuana as a recreational drug in North America

Edith Samuel

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Crandall University, Canada

Correspondence: Edith Samuel, Associate Professor of Psychology, Crandall University, 36 Chateau Drive Moncton NB, Canada, E1G 5N7, Tel 506 204 5922

Received: March 31, 2017 | Published: May 18, 2017

Citation: Samuel E. The risk of legalizing marijuana as a recreational drug in North America. MOJ Addict Med Ther. 2017;3(4):105-106. DOI: 10.15406/mojamt.2017.03.00043

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Introduction

The risk factors in legalizing marijuana as a recreational drug in North America are especially high as their impact leads to impairing mental health in early and continued users of recreational marijuana. Studies suggest that persistent marijuana possession, use, and distribution can precede and herald criminal and illicit activities; detention and incarceration then become possibilities. North America needs to revisit policies regarding legalizing marijuana for recreational use. The Canadian government is moving to dramatically change the laws governing marijuana use.

Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould has announced that the Trudeau government is resolute to propagate legislation to decriminalize and normalize the recreational use of marijuana in Canada during the Spring of 2017. The Liberal government is trying to make sense of the US policy on this matter taking into consideration the views of President Donald Trump.¹

Justice Minister Wilson-Raybould has stated that the Liberal government is in the process of presenting a task force report on the issue at the end of last year. “Among more than 80 recommendations, the panel suggested Canadians 18 and older should be allowed to buy recreational cannabis through storefront and mail-order sales. The world is watching Canada as it moves to green light recreational pot because no other major western country, with the exception of Uruguay, has fully legalized the drug”.¹ In light of the above statement, there is a need for more consideration of the potential impact of legalizing marijuana for recreational use.

Discussions are underway with Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale and with U.S. counterparts about any potential impacts of the Canadian government’s plans. There are concerns that initiating marijuana legislation in Canada could produce complications with the U.S. government.¹ In the following sections we will discuss the gateway theory, current data on adverse effects of marijuana use, and conclude with our thoughts on what the Canadian government should be doing.

Gateway theory

The gateway hypothesis² deals with the sequencing, association, and causation questions. Sequencing refers to the usage of alcohol and cigarettes before the use of marijuana. The association aspect alludes to marijuana smoking being positively correlated with other illicit drugs at a later date. The causation feature explicates the notion that marijuana use induces pleasurable feelings that stimulate an urge to expend and consume more potent illicit substances and drug use.²

Current data on adverse effects of marijuana

Studies indicate that legalizing marijuana as a recreational drug will most likely result in deficits in self-control and increased disinhibited behavior.^3,4 Psychosocial risk factors are associated with consequences such as heavy alcohol use, enhanced sexual behaviours, and dangerous driving behaviours.

Research has further validated the premise that chronic marijuana use during adolescence results in mental health problems in later adulthood.⁵ Physiological symptoms emerge in young men such as metabolic, cardiac and respiratory setbacks as well as psychological problems namely psychosis, anxiety, and depression.⁶ Since marijuana is the third most regularly used drug in North America, it is necessary that users are informed about the prospects of later depressive and anxiety issues that may emerge with continued use.

There have been associations of recreational marijuana use with PTSD and trauma in a sample of participants.⁷ This study focused on a sample of 34,396 participants who had a life-time of cannabis use, and were trauma-exposed cannabis users. Individuals distressed with cannabis use disorders, abuse and dependence are at risk of developing major anxiety disorders, generalized anxiety disorders, panic disorders, social anxiety disorders, personality disorders, major depression, and possibly alcohol dependence.⁷

Adolescents and youth in Norway are prone to coming into contact with the law as a result of continued cannabis use.⁸ Such a scenario poses to be a concerning trend. Immigrant groups associated with cannabis growing are related to illicit activities and crime.⁹

Conclusion

The risk factors, therefore, are especially high as they lead to exacerbating and worsening mental health problems in early and continued users of recreational marijuana. As well, continued marijuana possession, use, and distribution can precede and herald criminal and illicit activities with detention and incarceration becoming a reality. Taking into account the above studies, it is imperative that Canada along with the US revisit their policies on legalizing marijuana for recreational use.