The use, sale and cultivation of cannabis/marijuana are prohibited in Australia and all other countries that have signed the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. The prohibition of the drug is justified on the grounds that drug use presents a serious danger to health. Despite the prohibition of the drug, cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Australia. The question of whether it should remain illegal or become legalized remains open for discussion. Hence, this report explores the advantages and disadvantages of cannabis use throughout society, through the following messages; the alternative use for medicinal purposes, the negative affects the drug has on the individual, and their possible harm to community concluding with the …show more content…
Although, recent studies confirm that even after short-term but high exposure to cannabis smoke, significant changes occur in the lung function. Symptoms of cough and sputum production occur in approximately 20–25% of cannabis smokers. Wheeze, exercise-related dyspnoea and nocturnal symptoms occur more frequently than in non-users. (Sears 2000). The debatable question of whether smoking cannabis is linked with causing psychosis is a further example of the consequences of cannabis. Numerous studies have shown psychotic patients use cannabis from the population that they are compared against. Andreasson examined almost 50,000 male conscripts by the time they reached conscription, and found that they had double the risk of schizophrenia in the next 15 years. In addition, they found that men who had smoked cannabis on at least 50 occasions were six times more likely to later receive a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Andreasson (1987) Allebeck (2002) therefore provided sufficient data and studies to show that cannabis has negative effects, not only short term but in the long term spectrum …show more content…
In terms of the positive effects of legalizing cannabis, this will allow an economic advantage as it could help the government cut the deficit by billions as they cut the cost of policing, criminal justice and drug treatment. Although the government may be able to save billions in the long run funding the legalization of cannabis, licensing the drug could raise millions in tax revenues. If the government were to license the drug, it would need a regulation system and a good way to precede the practise would include giving an early warning of large increase in demand for the drug, particularly amongst young groups. Those who are against legalizing argue that legalisation would not in fact simply save millions as there would be a requirement for new as there would have to be new regulations instituted to ensure its safety as the likelihood of DUI’s with marijuana would increase (Dennis & White 1999). The disadvantages of legalizing cannabis in Australia for medicinal purposes, include the health hazards the drug has on the population, there is a possibility that although the drug may be prescribed to an individual and can be easily accessible to other individuals. The consequences of marijuana can be damaging on an individual’s health resulting in an increase for healthcare needs causing another burden on society as a whole (Taylor & Hall 2003).