It’s easier for kids to get drugs than alcohol! A new study has good news and bad news for parents of today’s teenagers. If you worry about your teenager drinking alcohol, then it is good news. Teenagers are not able to acquire alcohol or tobacco products very easily these days, and that has to do with the legalities on the sale of these products. These addictive products are legal and regulated.
However, teens are finding it easier to get other substances. At http://blog.norml.org/2009/08/28/study-says-its-easier-for-teens-to-buy-marijuana-than-beer/ one can find the statistics. A large majority of teens can get marijuana in less than a day. Many of these teens can also get prescription drugs as well.
Personally, I wouldn’t worry as much about the pot. The unstated fact is that teenagers can get illegal drugs easier than alcohol and tobacco. Cannabis is only one illegal drug–and one that is not physically addicting. The point is that, If your son or daughter can get pot, then they can get other (much more addicting) drugs as well. Crack cocaine and methamphetamines are drugs that have the potential of being physically addicting and truly life-ruining.
More and more states are now legalizing marijuana for medicinal usage because of the benefits. At one time in this country, marijuana was legal. The logging industry lobbied for it to be made illegal because they did not want the competition when it came to making paper. Now, one state at a time is changing that. However, our government is sticking with the sentiment that pot is as dangerous as other drugs. Yet the real war on drugs is continuing to go on-mostly with our youth.
It is good to know that our teens cannot just walk into the local liquor store and purchase alcohol. It is disheartening to know that it is far easier for them to get illegal drugs. With the economic woes of our time, one would think that our government might come to the point of recognizing that the legalization of marijuana could provide the money that is needed to continue to fight the war on life-destroying drugs. California is going to try for the full legalization of marijuana, and the administration fully expects this to be a huge cash cow for their economy. The legalization of marijuana on a national scale could be a way to help our economy and provide the money necessary to police other, far more dangerous substances.
In January of 1920, Prohibition went into effect. This was an effort to stop people from using alcohol, but the measure failed. Thirteen years later, prohibition was repealed with the passage of the 21st amendment. It was during the Prohibition years that organized crime got rich–by supplying a market demand. One failed experiment for our government, and still they have not learned from history.
good article, I have two articles to present down the line on this subject as well
Marijuana may not be physically addictive but it is psychologically addictive. Some users begin feeling uncomfortable when they are not high. From my experience this mental addiction can be worse than alcoholism.
If we legalize pot teenagers will not use it to rebel - they will begin with a harder drug instead. Its always about pushing the limits. I think intervention shows that illustrate the results of using hard drugs are better than cracking down on the manufacturing of hard drugs. If we do not have access to the people that know what they are doing we will have teens trying to make their own drugs in their basements. I would rather have teens getting their hands on clean drugs when they are in the experimental stage than making their own bad mixes which are more likely to result in death than clean drug overdose. I do not approve of the use of hard drugs but most people at least go through an experimental stage huh hmmm...
Drugs have been romanticized for far too long to think that we can keep teens away from them. They will always find a way.
I agree that it is something that the government could largely profit from, but that does not mean I think it is a good idea to legalize it.
It has also been proven that it reduces reaction time in a similar way to alcohol, and I do not think we can get people to avoid driving when they toke like people do when they have been drinking. This could result in a lot more car accidents.
The whole concept honestly scares me. I think pot in moderation is fine if you like but I would prefer not to have everyone smoking it all the time.
In Canada it does not make sense because it is hard on the body just like cigarettes are, and while the government would gain revenue from sales there would also be an increase in the usage of medical services that I do not think we can accommodate.
It has been proven that addiction rates go own with legalization-crime rates as well. Psychological addiction has not been proven-no more than some people are psychologically addicted to over-eating. In fact, some studies show that marijuana actually increases brain function http://factoidz.com/marijuana-doesnt-cause-brain-defects-or-mental-illness/. However, the number of people killed in alcohol related fatalities is not decreasing. Also, it is possible for someone to drink so much alcohol that they die. No one has ever overdose to the point of death with marijuana-it is physically impossible! The government would see great increases in revenue by legalizing and regulating pot, and with the economic woes of our time, it could very well be what we need to help our struggling economy. In countries that have legalized marijuana, addiction and crime rates have actually decreased. While smoking is the most common way of using the drug, the medical risks are not as high as cigarettes-not many people smoke the two substances the same way. Plus, there are other ways-like vaporizers and food adatives-that people use to consume marijuana. I think that the revenue generated from legalization and regulation far outweigh the health risks. Plus, if the government is regulating pot, then it would be more difficult for teens to obtain it-just like alcohol and tobacco.
Disclaimer: Material on this Website is provided for informational purposes only. Health-related information is not a substitute for medical care, rehabilitation, educational consultation, or legal advice. Information on this Website is general as it can not address each individual's situation and needs. Financial advice and information is not a substitute for professional financial or investment advice. Information on this Website is general as it can not address each individual's financial situation and needs.
[more]
Material on this Website is provided for informational purposes only.
Health advice and contentIt is not a substitute for medical care, rehabilitation, educational consultation, or legal advice. Information on this Website is general as it can not address each individual's situation and needs. This Website contains general information which may or may not apply to individuals. This Website can not and does not address each individualÕs situation and needs. We encourage all persons with brain injuries, their family members and concerned parties to seek professional advice for any specific questions and concerns. We have made every effort to ensure that content is accurate, correct and current and are not liable for any unintentional errors. Under no circumstances, shall the authors and publishers be liable under any theory of recovery for any damages arising out of or in any manner connected with the use of information, services, or documents from the site.
Financial advice and content We encourage you to seek advice from a licensed investment professional prior to making investment decisions. We have made every effort to ensure that content is accurate, correct and current and are not liable for any unintentional errors. Under no circumstances, shall the authors and publishers be liable under any theory of recovery for any damages arising out of or in any manner connected with the use of information, services, or documents from the site.
close
