Recreational Marijuana Legalization

Eleven States and Canada have recently legalized marijuana for recreational use. With the recent decriminalization and availability of medical marijuana in Delaware, it’s not hard to imagine that recreational legalization is the next step. It seems that the majority of Delaware Tech staff and students have positive opinions of recreational marijuana.

Regardless of the general public’s approval of marijuana, the federal government has continued to label it as a schedule one narcotic along with heroin. However, according to the CDC, there has never been a death or overdose related to marijuana use, while there are 192 deaths a day attributed to drug overdoses. “It seems a little extreme to put it right next to heroin,” said Reina Carder, a University of Delaware Associate Arts Program student. “Especially since there haven’t been any deaths. I think they should move it to a new level."

This graph demonstrates overdose death rates in America. Marijuana is the only substance with a consistent death rate of zero. (Source: Business Insider)

From an economic standpoint, states that have legalized recreational marijuana have seen $8 billion in revenue and it's created 122,000 jobs. That is according to the United States Congress Joint Economic Committee. “I do think we need it in Delaware with the schools and the referendums,” said Lakeida Mumford, a Financial Aid Specialist at Delaware Tech. She said that she knows that it will need research done into it but that they could cut out some of the referendum bills and use the money from them to fix a lot of schools and build more.

This infographic presents the economic effects recreational cannabis has had in states that have legalized it. (Source: JEC)

Despite these positive economic effects, every poll, including this gallup poll, shows that Americans 55 and over are the least supportive of recreational marijuana. Perhaps this is due to the War on Drugs initiative led by Richard Nixon, former president of the United States. “Back in the day, so to speak, there was propaganda put out that marijuana was bad,” said Nathan Williams, a Nursing student at Delaware Tech. “That it caused craziness and dementia to try and rationalize outlawing marijuana. And a lot of people that age still hold onto those ideas even though that we’ve seen that they’re not really substantiated.”

This graph establishes support of marijuana legalization for all ages. Adults 55 and older have consistently lower support than younger people. (Source: Gallup)

While adults over 50 are unsupportive of marijuana, teens have been found to be much more supportive. In fact, the CDC says high schoolers use of alcohol and cigarettes has gone down while marijuana use has gone up. “It’s probably not the best thing that high school students are smoking marijuana because it definitely doesn’t help your brain,” said Cody Gibboney, a Criminal Justice student at Delaware Tech. “But I believe in free will so people are going to do what they want regardless.”

This graph shows high schooler use of marijuana, alcohol and tobacco. The use of alcohol and tobacco has consistently decreased while marijuana use is gradually rising. (Source: VOX)

While some people may be against recreational marijuana legalization, the truth is that popular opinion is generally positive and has been rising every year. ““I mean, I’m fine with recreational marijuana use,” said Christopher Friend, an Elementary Education student at Delaware Tech. “I feel as if people are going to do it anyway, so with it being legalized it just makes it more easier then having to sneak it and stuff like that.”