The Urban and Economic Impacts of Cannabis
Over the past few decades, the discussion of whether or not to make marijuana legal has ramped up; as there are many differing opinions on the subject. Marijuana is really just a slang term for its true name, Cannabis Sativa. There are two active ingredients in Cannabis Sativa which are THC (Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol), and CBD (Cannabinol). The main ingredient in Marijuana, however is THC. This ingredient is what produces the “high” feeling that users experience. CBD, however, does not produce a high, rather it is more associated with pain relief and clinical benefits. Recently, several states have made the controversial decision to officially legalize weed in their state. In this analysis, there is an in-depth look into the common facts, history, and the pros and cons of Marijuana in the US. With this being said, the legalization of marijuana has had profound negative, as well as positive ramifications and impacts on the cities of states that have legalized it. There has been both strong support and strong opposition towards the decriminalization of Marijuana, furthermore, there are many factors that have influenced differing views on the matter. Before we discuss the legalization movement, here are the origins of marijuana and the United States
Marijuana is a drug that is created from the parts of a plant called Cannabis Sativa. It is the most common illicit drug in the United States (Drugfacts, 2016). Often called pot, weed, reefer, ganja or bud, marijuana has a huge economic impact on the modern world. Marijuana is the final product of refinement of the Cannabis Sativa plant parts. Hidden in the biology of the fibers of this plant, Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the active ingredient in marijuana. THC is the distinguishing component that sets Cannabis Sativa apart from regular plants. Although there are multiple ways to extract THC from the plant parts, the most common way to consume THC is by burning the refined parts of the plant. In the incineration of the leaf parts, THC is released into the smoke of the burned plant. Once inhaled, this active ingredient enters the body and creates the “high feeling”. The short-term effects of consuming THC stems from the brain. The most common short-term side effects of THC on the brain are as follows: Altered senses, altered sense of time, changes in mood, impaired body movement difficulty with thinking and a more complexed train of thought and finally, a significantly impaired memory.
First there is evidence that shows the long-term effects on the human brain, it is generally thought that marijuana stunts brain development. Stated on the Drug Fact website, marijuana has direct effects on brain development. Once smoked at early ages, marijuana use may reduce thinking, memory, and learning functions, often affecting the brain for a long term or possibly even permanently. (Drugfacts, 2016). Due to governmental actions and media portrayal, marijuana use has a generally negative stigma associated with the drug use.
Relatively recent medical practices have brought marijuana to medical applications. Over the past few decades, several states have legalized marijuana for medicinal use. Facts about medicinal marijuana and the possible health benefits of its use are discussed further in the paper.
Cannabis Sativa has been used for various things in the United States since the colonization of North America. In the beginning, Cannabis Sativa has mostly used for clothing and related manufacturing (i.e. rope and sails). This remains true well into the 1900’s. The years of the Great Depression began the recreational drug use of Cannabis Sativa. Stated on the PBS history time: “By 1931, 29 states had outlawed marijuana.” (PBS, 2014). The recreational use of marijuana would remain illegal for the 80 years. It was not until the year 1996 until marijuana saw its first medical application. California was the first states to legalize medicinal marijuana with the Proposition 215. Twenty states and the District of Columbia now have legal medical marijuana. In the 20 years between 1996 and 2016, marijuana legalization has become a hot issue. There have been many advocates for the legalization, research into the medicinal uses of marijuana, and mass marijuana sittings. All of this culminated to the modern day of the legalize marijuana movement. In 2014, Colorado became the first state to allow recreational pot use. After Colorado, a 4 states and the District of Columbia have joined in on the legalization movement. Shortly after Colorado’s legalization, Washington followed suit. One year later, Alaska and Oregon also decriminalized Marijuana. In light of these states legalizing recreational weed as well as the continuing number of medical marijuana states, it is likely an inevitability until weed is completely legal. In a poll CBS conducted, “67% of young adults between 18 and 29 years of age support legalization…” (CBS, 2013)
The potential benefits of marijuana can range from health benefits like helping with cancer or arthritis, to economic benefits such as increases in taxes going to the government. The most known benefit of marijuana is by way of the medical uses of marijuana. For cancer patients, medical marijuana helps relieve chronic pain. Aside from relieving pain, THC can help reduce nausea, inflammation, and can act as an antioxidant. Cannabidiol can also help reduce seizures, anxiety, and paranoia. Because cancer chemotherapy causes a lot of nausea and vomiting, studies show that smoking marijuana can help reduce these symptoms. A few studies have also found that it can help treat neuropathic pain caused by cancer as well. There are two drugs that have already been approved in the United States for the use of medical marijuana, those being Dronabinol and Nabilone. Dronabinol is a capsule containing THC and is given to people with nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy and weight loss and loss of appetite caused by AIDS.With all of the benefits that weed has towards people themselves as well as cities, the massive industry the weed has created very justified.
The weed industry is was worth approximately $1.53 billion dollars in 2013. One year later, it grew 74% and in 2014, it was worth $2.7 billion dollars. The weed industry is growing so fast that it is believed that is all 50 states legalize weed, then the weed industry could grow to become worth more than the organic food industry. In five years it is estimated that the weed industry will be worth over $10 billion. This industry brings in a lot of income especially to urban areas. The money that is gained from the marijuana industry is then put directly back in schools in places like Denver, Colorado. The industry is worth so much because of the tax revenue it brings. In Colorado alone, in the first two months of weed legalization for recreational use, $6.17 million was collected in tax revenue.
While money is being racked in because of the industry that marijuana has created for itself, operations, like schools, are vastly affected by the industry too. In many urban areas, the public school systems are failing. The tax revenue collected from marijuana sales are able to significantly aid in funding the public school systems. The tax revenue helps rebuild schools in urban areas that are currently, or about to fail. The revenue also goes towards drug prevention programs and scholarships, and for Denver's urban youth, the revenue generated from the legalization of marijuana goes towards bettering their lives and their futures.
Despite the support for the decriminalization of Marijuana in some of the state's, cities across the US have seen the negatives that Marijuana potentially poses. One major issue that Marijuana poses is the abuse factor of its decriminalization. In cities like Seattle, crimes rates have increased after some lenient legislation had been passed. The new legislation made it so possessing an ounce or less of Marijuana was legal. From 2012 to 2015 property crimes which include burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft, jumped from 32.000 to around 40,666. (Williams 2015). Furthermore, cities like Denver saw an even bigger crime rate increase. In the same time frame, the number of crimes jumped from 56,522 to 83,730, which is about a 44% percent increase. Property crimes were not the only crimes to increase in these major cities however. The number of violent crimes also saw a significant increase shortly after the passage of legislation to legalize marijuana. In 2012 Seattle saw about 3,500 violent related crimes. 3 years after the passing of the legislation violent crimes rose by 300 incidences, most of which were robberies. (Rayne 2015). These incidences of crime are affecting the neighborhoods of Seattle.
The increase in crime rates affect the neighboring areas which draws speculation to the value in legalizing marijuana by many city legislatures in those certain cities. In addition to the crime rate increase there is also a correlation between the crime rate and the number of users being admitted into treatment. In 2004 a study showed that the among the total number of users being admitted into treatment just 3 years into use of several drugs, Marijuana admissions were among the highest. The admissions were categorized by common drugs such as Cocaine, Heroin and Amphetamines, and Marijuana. The study showed that 35% of the users who entered treatment used Marijuana (Epidemiologic Trends 2005).
Driving under the influence is a big deal in this country, and many major cities such as Memphis, and Chicago have strict laws against DUI’s. Many think that it may only pertain to alcohol, but it also pertains to other drugs such as Marijuana. Due to its decriminalization in these cities, strict laws were put into effect to control the substance. For example, a roadside study conducted in Memphis, Tennessee found that in 2004, 45% of DUI charges tested positive for Marijuana. (Pot Politics 2007). Along with increased roadside effects of Marijuana, there is also a large concern with the arrest rate and incarceration rate that is linked to Marijuana. A study in Chicago from 2000-2003 showed that among male arrestees, about there was about a 6% increase up from 45% in testing positive for marijuana (Epidemiologic Trends 2005).
In conclusion, there are many aspects in which marijuana impacts not only the people who use it, but there is an enormous impact of the economy and the cities and states who have adopted and legalized it.The legalization of marijuana has had profound negative, as well as positive ramifications and impacts on the cities and the states that have legalized. This can be seen in the facts about Cannabis itself, the history of weed, and both the negatives and the positives when it comes to legalizing weed. In the way of positive impact, marijuana is being tested and used for cancer research. Conversely though, crime rates in Seattle, specifically, have risen since the legalization of marijuana in the city. Example scenarios, such as that in Seattle, Washington, but also the potential for cancer treatment country-wide, are great influences into the direction that cities will go in the future in regards to the legalization of marijuana.
Whether Marijuana is used for its positive potential, or whether its negative effects are highlighted, there are many aspects in which marijuana affects not only users, and the community, but also in which it affects the economy . It can be difficult to determine whether Marijuana’s **** are more beneficial or more harmful. Its subjectivity between different subjects who use it is something to take into account, since it affects people differently. A study at the Colorado Center of Antisocial Drug Dependence (CADD), located at the University of Colorado in Boulder, showed positive and negative symptoms of Marijuana on 14 subjects. The experiment asked the subjects to say if they felt certain side effects of smoking marijuana. Among the highest positive effects on a standard deviation scale were relaxation (.87), creativity(.54) and sociability(.51), and among the highest scoring negative effects were laziness(.70), inability to concentrate(.47) and drowsiness(.57) (Elsevier 2010).
