We already have two substances, alcohol and tobacco, that are legal; but, they are also the cause of many challenges to teens and their parents. The fact is that the use, and certainly the abuse, of marijuana can seriously cause harm to the developing brain of any child or teenager. Legalizing it will almost certainly increase the risk of teens using it. Studies have shown that teens are twice as likely to use alcohol by 12th grade, than they are to try marijuana. Most likely this is only because alcohol is legal and marijuana is not.

We need to be concerned about more than just the chance of teens developing a bad and potentially harmful habit. We also need to realize that increased use of marijuana will also mean an increase in road accidents cause by drugged driving.

There is considerable debate about whether marijuana is addictive or not, and if it is, is it a physical or a psychological dependence? Firstly, it is important to understand that a psychological dependence is still a dependence and can be as difficult, and sometimes even more difficult to treat, than a physical dependence. The fact remains that marijuana is the number one drug abused among teens admitted for treatment today.

In addition to all of the above, marijuana, like other intoxicants, has been shown to damages relationship, affects the quality of work (academic or other) and limit the individual’s potential.