Public opinion on marijuana is at an all-time high. So much so that Illinois State Representative Kelly Cassidy recently proposed an amendment to the Cannabis Control Act that would legalize recreational cannabis consumption for adults 21 and older in the state, essentially treating marijuana the same as alcohol. This proposed amendment is part of an ongoing trend across the United States normalizing the recreational use of cannabis, and if passed, would function similarly to policies enacted in Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.
Obviously, the benefits of passing this amendment are enormous for our broke and budgetless state. It would increase tax revenue (according to the Colorado Department of Revenue, cannabis earned the state over $135 million in 2015 and it is estimated that nearly $200 million more was earned last year), fewer tax dollars would be pointlessly wasted housing non-violent criminals (despite recent relaxations on cannabis regulation in Illinois, as of June 2015 over 500 inmates were imprisoned for violations of the Cannabis Control Act and an additional 655 were on parole according to the Illinois Department of Corrections 2015 Fiscal Year Report), and state tourism would likely see a significant increase (one study commissioned by Colorado’s tourism committee suggests that 49 percent of the state’s tourism is attracted by their legal weed laws). Not to mention that according to a survey done by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, nearly 70 percent of Illinoisans support legalization. Clearly, the case for passing the amendment is strong. Unfortunately, it is up to our state’s incompetent lawmakers from here.
But despite the possible lift on the prohibition of devil’s lettuce, you should think twice before you light up that broccoli.
Any ganja guru will be quick to point out the many reported benefits of smoking the greenery: it kills cancer cells, has the potential to treat a variety of physical and mental ailments, is not physically addictive and unlike most other recreational drugs, including alcohol, it is impossible to overdose on tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in marijuana commonly referred to as THC. Yet despite the increasing popularity of the pro-pot movement, there are actually a number of potential pitfalls to smoking herb that no one seems to want to talk about.
Though marijuana is not physically addictive, studies and testimonies of numerous long-term habitual grass smokers have indicated that a mental dependence to reefer can occur. Anyone can name at least one person they know that seemingly cannot go a day without smoking bud, and according to The National Institute of Drug Abuse, this behavior may not be without long term side effects: anxiety, depression, short-term memory loss, and attention deficiencies are all symptoms associated with habitual cannabis use, especially among those who began smoking as teenagers. Worsening symptoms of preexisting mental disorders like schizophrenia have also been linked.
Though some handle the effects of cannabis better than others, very few recreational smokers truly benefit from smoking. As a friend once pointed out to me, bud’s appeal is also its biggest flaw: it makes you okay with doing nothing. We all want to be our best selves and make the world a better place for future generations, but if you coast through life in a haze of smoke it may be difficult achieve these goals. As with all things, moderation is key, and marijuana is not for everyone.
If Illinois has the sense to finally end cannabis prohibition, nothing will stop you from smoking all the sticky icky your heart desires. Just keep in mind that, like any other substance, if you let marijuana become an essential part of your routine, you may be letting it become a problem.