Will More Marijuana Improve America?

For many who have witnessed the effects of drugs in cities like New York, Washington, D.C., or San Francisco, the answer might be a resounding no.

Yet, President Donald Trump is contemplating a change in the federal classification of marijuana, which could facilitate its sale and increase profitability.

The cannabis industry has been pouring funds into efforts to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule 1 to a Schedule 3 substance. Industry leaders had the chance to engage with Trump at a recent fundraising dinner, eager to learn about his plans.

It’s crucial for the president to overlook the heavily funded cannabis lobby and consider what more accessible marijuana means for everyday citizens.

Despite the evidence from earlier states, twenty-four states have now legalized recreational marijuana use.

In 2012, taking advantage of high voter turnout during President Barack Obama’s re-election, activists successfully pushed Colorado’s bill to legalize marijuana.

Although full legalization didn’t occur until 2014, by 2022, marijuana usage in Colorado and other legalized states was significantly higher—24% more—compared to states where it remained illegal.

A new study by Korean researcher Sunyoung Lee, published in an international law and economics journal, explored crime rates in U.S. states that legalized marijuana. Lee indicated that while the argument exists that prohibitions fuel crime, their legalization has not conclusively led to reduced crime rates. Instead, the data suggests a correlated increase in property crimes and possibly even violent crimes.

Supporters of marijuana often claim that it’s the prohibitions that create crime, not the substance itself. However, Lee’s findings present a challenge to that argument, indicating that legal marijuana could escalate crime.

In essence, by legalizing the crime in question, we could potentially reduce the profits of criminal organizations. If activities like bank robbery were legal, they wouldn’t require weapons. Similarly, if car theft were legal, it could eliminate the associated violence found in illegal markets—just as legal marijuana operates today.

Proponents for drug legalization might find that their stance echoes views held by some on the left who advocate against prosecuting property crimes. Both groups show a tendency to sympathize with those who disrupt the social order, possibly diminishing the responsibility to maintain public safety.

Just as there are costs involved in safeguarding personal property and ensuring citizens’ safety, the legalization of marijuana also carries its own drawbacks. Yet, if the alternative is to be passive in the face of challenges, these costs might be justifiable.

Initially, the push for marijuana legalization was framed around the idea of personal freedom: allowing individuals to use what they wish without disturbing others. However, many Americans have experienced the aftermath, dealing with the potent odors and the reality of addiction affecting their communities.

It’s not an extreme issue, but it’s certainly not insignificant either. Accepting this situation, even if it seems minor compared to serious crimes, can lead to a dangerous precedent where tolerance for less serious offenses paves the way for more significant societal issues.

Two encounters in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. solidified my belief that acceptance of marijuana has gone too far. One day, I witnessed an African American bus driver addressing two teenagers smoking joints—a surprising scene that made me question the environment we’re fostering.

Not long after, I observed a young mother walking with her daughter as they passed through an area filled with marijuana smoke—a disturbing image, especially considering how the industry markets its products to youthful audiences.

Our communities shouldn’t transform into outdoor drug markets. Trump should not cater to the cannabis lobby, as doing so could potentially make life worse for Americans.