Has Marijuana Ever Been an Epidemic?

Drug epidemics have contributed greatly to marijuana prohibition. Illegal drugs are usually all grouped together in one category, and when one drug in particular generates negative public opinion, other illegal drugs suffer the same negative stigma. Take the crack epidemic of the 1980s for example, because of this national epidemic public outcry to pursue all illegal drugs rose significantly. This gave way to anti drug movements like the “Just Say No” campaign. If we separate marijuana from other illicit drugs and show that it is not nearly as harmful, we will be able to ease a lot of the negative stigma marijuana acquirers. After all I have never seen or heard of a marijuana epidemic. Have you?

                There has never been a marijuana epidemic in this country or anywhere in the world for that matter. Think about it. When was the last time you saw people shaking and twitching in alley ways from marijuana withdrawal? When was the last time you saw dead bodies removed from the streets because the user overdosed on marijuana? And who can tell me about anybody who squandered their whole lives away on marijuana, living only to support their habit? You really have to do some serious digging around to find examples like these if you can find any at all. There has to be a separation between the drugs that cause extreme physical harm and marijuana. All too often illegal drugs are grouped together as deadly life shattering substances when in actuality there are many differences between them all. Some can be extremely dangerous while others carry the negative stigmas associated with all illicit drugs. The fear of drugs like crack and heroin has caused the general public to become paranoid over marijuana. The public needs to be made aware of what marijuana actually is and how it differs from hard drug use. We need to always point out that marijuana has been unfairly targeted in the greater war against drugs.

                It’s time to start thinking logically about what marijuana actually is. For much too long we have let our fear and emotions get in the way of the right decision. We need to look harder at the statistics and start making educated decisions in the marijuana argument. Only until we conquer are fears will we be free from the slave like chains they confine us in.