How legalizing cannabis has gone wrong

As a child of the 1990s, Drug Abuse Resistance Education (also known as D.A.R.E.) was a central focus of my public school education. The most common drug for a middle schooler to encounter was marijuana, and the path to legalization was still firmly rejected by most people at the time.

More than two decades later, public opinion has dramatically shifted. Nearly half the country has legalized recreational use, and the receipts are rolling in. As even more states weigh legalization, new studies warn that cannabis use may raise cancer risks and pass genetic damage on to future generations.

This latest revelation is another reason some are concerned about how legalization affects families and society. In the last 10 years, cannabis has ballooned into a $33 billion industry. According to a Columbia University epidemiologist, cannabis use disorder now affects up to 18 million Americans, an additional 5 million in the last decade.

Further negative consequences, including rising cases of severe anxiety and cannabis-induced psychosis, underscore the need to rethink marijuana legalization. History is our greatest ally in assessing substances—and there’s a reason cocaine, heroin, and morphine are no longer sold in your local drugstore. Marijuana is often viewed as a “gateway drug” to more damaging substances, an accurate characterization for a large number of problematic drug users, according to an article published in the International Journal of Drug Policy. That hasn’t changed since the term gained popularity decades ago.

While most Americans support legalization, data shows that our youngest citizens are some of the most negatively affected. When cannabis legalization expands, so do rates of emergency room visits for children from newborns to age 14, often due to unintentional ingestion.

Rises in addiction also correlate with legalized locations. Without any negative constraints or messaging surrounding marijuana, people are led to believe it’s perfectly safe. But a casual view of marijuana means even more children and young people are left at risk of long-term damage. In New York City, schools reported a 17% increase in incidents with drugs in the 2022-2023 school year.

What’s worse, the potency of today’s marijuana products is considerably greater than people realize. In the last 25 years, the amount of THC in cannabis has increased from 5% to 16%. That would be like replacing a bottle of beer or glass of wine with a triple shot of hard liquor, quickly increasing the risk of dependency and overconsumption. As with most substances, cannabis may affect everyone differently depending on potency, biology, method of ingestion, and other factors.

We know now that previous anti-marijuana campaigns didn’t ultimately stop teens from using drugs, but the opposite approach has also gone awry. Though rare, marijuana-related deaths highlight a more considerable risk. Early use increases the likelihood of addiction to marijuana or other substances later in life. Adolescents are also more sensitive to some of the worst effects of marijuana use, including extreme cognitive impairment and risk for psychosis, which means hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and other irrational behaviors. Few would say minors should have legal access to the drug, but those ages 18 to 25 are also in this high-risk category. And the more available it is to adults, the more widely distributed it is to minors. Another effect is the expanding use of other, more addictive drugs because of marijuana’s “gateway” effect.

Many people support the legalization of marijuana under the banner of individual liberty, but evaluating the real-world implications of such quickly expanding policy changes across the country is essential. When you do, you’ll find reason for concern. Unlicensed dispensaries often bypass safety laws and regulations, putting buyers at risk without their knowledge. Folks may think they’re purchasing “safe” or low-potency cannabis, but they could be wrong.

Cannabis can be an effective medicine for those facing deeper health issues like cancer or epilepsy. Christians may reasonably disagree on how it can be used in these scenarios. But for state governments to treat this drug like a pack of Skittles trivializes its dangers and harms American society.

As Christians and citizens of the United States, we are responsible for voting for politicians and policies that best support the flourishing of individuals—especially those with no voice. The children affected by legalized marijuana are not considered in the conversation, nor are the long-term health effects or weights on the health system.

Given the rapid compiling of evidence showcasing the negative effects of cannabis legalization, a fresh conversation about the next steps should be a top priority.