Expansive Social Effects of Marijuana.
Marijuana is a personal health problem as well as a societal one that affects families, schools, work-places, and communities. With increased visibility of cannabis, which is being brought out of the shadows with legalization and acceptance by the culture, the effects go way beyond the individual users. Marijuana presents opportunities and challenges to the society at large as far as it is concerned with molding the behavior of the youth, influence in crime rates and performance in the workplace.
Marijuana and Youth
The most worrying social problem that might arise because of marijuana use is perhaps the use among teenagers and the youths. Research has continuously indicated that exposure to cannabis at an early age can influence the development of the brain, future academic performance, and future success.
Academic effects
Repeated use of marijuana has been associated with low grades, lack of motivation, increase in dropout rates.
Social influence
The youth are more vulnerable to experimentation as a result of peer pressure and the image of marijuana being harmless that is promoted in the popular culture.
Legal implications
In places where marijuana is illegal, young users are exposed to fines, arrests and a criminal record that may impact on future work and education prospects.
It is important to educate the youth on these dangers so as to reduce the adverse impact of marijuana on the future generations.
Marijuana in the Workplace
Marijuana use also impacts on the safety and productivity in the workplace. Employers are struggling with the right to employees on the one hand and the safe, productive working conditions on the other.
Safety-sensitive occupations
Marijuana use may elevate accident risk in such industries as construction, transportation, or health because of the reduced coordination and reaction time.
Productivity issues
Chronic users might face problems with focus, motivation and attendance.
Attention to drug testing issues: With the rise of legalization, there are challenges related to medical and recreational use, which makes it different in some areas, challenging employers on their policies and fairness.
Marijuana and Crime
The association between marijuana and crime is not simple.
Decriminalization and legalization in most areas has decreased arrests associated with the possession of marijuana to alleviate the pressure on the courts.
Nevertheless, there are still black markets, particularly in places where prohibitive taxation or restricting measures compel certain users to rogue dealers.
The production and sale of marijuana has remained profitable to some groups of organized crime in some regions.
Although the legalization has minimized certain pressures related to crimes, it has not eradicated the social justice and enforcement concerns related to cannabis.
Public Health Implications
The ease of access to marijuana has a number of public health issues:
Impaired driving The fact that there are increasing road accidents that are associated with the use of cannabis is of growing concern in the areas where marijuana has been legalized.
Exposure of secondary smoke As with tobacco, marijuana can also impact on non users especially children.
Healthcare demand When used more frequently, this may result in more emergency room visits as a result of accidental overconsumption, particularly of edibles.
Meanwhile, legal markets have been shown to enhance safety through offering laboratory tested products with no toxic contaminants present in illegal cannabis.