#Marijuana is a topic of major contention in American society. The issue came about after scientists acknowledged the medicinal qualities of cannabis. Many have since suggested the decriminalization of marijuana, thereby opening it for further research in the medical field. Those who are opposed say that legalizing recreational cannabis will only worsen the country’s addiction problem, escalating the issue of drug abuse; but are these fears based in fact?

Studies show that death rates associated with alcohol and tobacco abuse are far higher in comparison to deaths caused by cannabis. Cannabis, or marijuana, requires a large amount of ingestion before it has the potential to become fatal, resulting in significantly lower mortality rates from its use.

There is a consensus in the medical field that highlights the medicinal benefits of cannabis and how it can help in effective pain management, as well as treatments for serious diseases such as cancer. Clearly, the benefits of legalizing marijuana outweigh any claimed detrimental effects. 

With this in mind, the government must be prepared to deal, not with marijuana itself, but the effects of when it is abused. If we examine statistical evidence, there are far more cases of deaths due to alcohol and tobacco each year compared to cannabis, as the latter must be ingested in a large amount before it becomes dangerous or fatal. There are more than 80,000 deaths linked to alcohol per year, in contrast to the almost miniscule cases of marijuana overdose. Comparatively, what is the danger of legalizing marijuana, which is clearly less harmful? If marijuana remains banned due to the potential deaths that could be linked to it, alcohol and tobacco should be banned as well. However, we know from history that banning alcohol doesn’t work. Americans will continue to find and use all of these products; the government might as well legalize marijuana as well so that they can safely regulate its distribution.

Addiction is a risk posed by many legal medicines that can be obtained in any pharmacy. The law should represent the earnest desire of the government to safeguard the security and welfare of the state. Laws are set in place to ensure peace and order in a community, and should not deprive the public access to anything that will be beneficial to their lives. Tobacco, a plant that contains nicotine, is massively abused by people, resulting in the development of cancer and severe respiratory diseases. Yet no laws are passed to prevent the abuse of this deadly carcinogen.

Cannabis has fewer cases of mortality, less cases of fatal abuse, and has a massive potential for medicinal use; why not give it the same level of tolerance? South Dakota should legalize marijuana and allow private pharmaceuticals access to this drug for the development of cannabis-based medicines that will help treat cancers and severe illnesses.