Friday, January 16, 2009

Mr. Gupta, tear down this wall... of legislation against marijuana use

This article by Dr. Sanjay Gupta about why he would keep marijuana illegal (hat tip: Jacob) is worrisome and an excellent example of narrow thinking regarding the subject. As a doctor, he naturally focuses on the health risks rather than the social effects, which hampers his article more as its the flimsier argument.

Off the bat, Dr. Gupta writes, "The first is that marijuana isn't really very good for you." Well no shit, Sherlock. The number of people who use marijuana for its health benefits (beyond simple relaxation) are few. I could say the same for alcohol.

I'll respond to Dr. Gupta's other points more tersely:

"Frequent marijuana use can seriously affect your short-term memory." Alcohol.

"It can impair your cognitive ability... and lead to long-lasting depression or anxiety." Alcohol.

"While many people smoke marijuana to relax, it can have the opposite effect on frequent users." Alcohol.

"Smoking anything, whether it's tobacco or marijuana, can seriously damage your lung tissue." Granted. But...

(Mike takes a deep breath)

Cigarettes are completely legal and come with a warning from the surgeon general (that will be you soon) indicating they aren't exactly Mama's Homegrown Clean Lung Elixir. And getting back to alcohol, well sir, that's also completely legal. And, to address your concluding point, getting behind the wheel of a car after having too much alcohol is in fact illegal. Very few people are arguing that it should be any different with pot.

I'm sorry, Dr. Gupta, but your article offers absolutely no compelling reason to keep marijuana illegal. While I appreciate your concern for the health and well-being of marijuana users, that doesn't trump the fact that it should be their right to decide for themselves.

"Can't get caught in the endless circle
Ring of stupidity
Out for my own, out to be free"
- Metallica, Escape

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