Earlier this week, the New York Times published an op-ed declaring that the legalization of marijuana was a big mistake. The legalization of marijuana was always a bad idea but, it was shocking, to say the least, that the New York Times and its history of advancing politically left-wing opinions and narratives would have such an article. Nevertheless, it's almost evidence of just how wrong proponents of weed legalization were – especially if such an opinion was being advanced by the New York Times.
In his article, Ross Douthat listed the reasons why everyone should be against marijuana legalization. He acknowledged that calling to overturn this would be extremely unpopular and undoubtedly take a long time. He discussed many of the newly discovered problems associated with marijuana use and emphasized how it was essentially a calamity to even legalize it at all.
WHAT THE GOP WORK REQUIREMENT PROPOSAL WOULD REALLY DO
“As support for legalization has climbed, commanding a two-thirds majority in recent polling, any contrary argument has come to feel a bit futile, and even modest cavils are couched in an apologetic and defensive style,” Douthat wrote. “All of this means that it will take a long time for conventional wisdom to acknowledge the truth that seems readily apparent to squares like me: Marijuana legalization as we’ve done it so far has been a policy failure, a potential social disaster, a clear and evident mistake.”
Douthat discussed the recent admission of the link between marijuana and schizophrenia. That was to be expected, given the magnitude of that revelation and its recency. He also provided data that debunked many left-wing claims of a correlation between marijuana and “mass incarceration and racial justice” issues. But one of the more surprising claims he used was related to the opioid crisis plaguing the country. He mentioned that proponents of legalization claimed that marijuana could be a “substitute for opioid use.” However, data have shown the exact opposite, revealing that legal marijuana has contributed to “higher opioid mortality.”
Moreover, other studies have shown why Douthat is correct. Consider the devastating consequences the legalization of marijuana has had on children. Research has shown that young people who smoked marijuana heavily before the age of 18 suffered an average loss of eight IQ points, a fairly significant decline compared to those who didn't use marijuana. Other studies have revealed that having access to marijuana and using it earlier in life has reduced educational outcomes compared to those who did not use it.
Furthermore, the legalization of weed has evolved into manufacturing marijuana-infused products that have been marketed and packaged to appeal to young children. It's an awful combination that has led to a boom in the commercial marijuana industry and an increase in pediatric poisonings from these products. This is even more dangerous when such products contain the dangerous delta-8 psychoactive agent.
The FDA had previously warned about children's access to delta-8 unknowingly because companies advertise it to younger people. Most notably, this has come in forms as candy products, gummies, cookies, brownies, or other marijuana edibles. They look safe based on the labeling but have contents that could poison children requiring hospital visits. These products can be easily obtained without adult approval at retail locations, convenience stores, gas stations, or online. Unsurprisingly, there was a 1,375% increase in accidental exposures to these enticing snack items involving children under six.
Also, from January 1, 2021, to July 31, 2021, there were 660 delta-8 exposure cases at poison control centers. Most of these cases involved young children, with 77% being children under 18 years old and 41% involving unintentional exposure. Additionally, 18% were hospitalized, including children admitted to intensive care units, as studies have shown.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
“I expect legalization to advance much further before either of these alternatives builds significant support,” Douthat wrote in the penultimate paragraph of his New York Times piece. “But eventually the culture will recognize that under the banner of personal choice, we’re running a general experiment in exploitation — addicting our more vulnerable neighbors to myriad pleasant-seeming vices, handing our children over to the social media dopamine machine and spreading degradation wherever casinos spring up and weed shops flourish.”
Marijuana is a dangerous drug and not the whimsical herb many pretend it is. Hedonistic pursuits were prioritized over individual responsibilities when considering the legalization of weed. Unfortunately, that’s a sin that will haunt the country for a long time before people realize the error of those ways. Hopefully, Douthat’s revelation will come sooner rather than later.