Making marijuana legal would open Pandora’s Box of problems

Making marijuana legal would open Pandora’s Box of problems

There has been a lot of talk and even legislation put forth for the legalization of marijuana. One point was brought up about people with epilepsy (for whom no other medical treatment has worked). My question is this. How about people with epilepsy or seizure disorders that are controlled or managed well who would have “breakthrough seizures” from breathing in that substance?

What about all the people out there on prescribed medications of any kind? Marijuana and/or its byproducts such as secondhand smoke could interfere with the efficacy of these medications, which already have a litany of side effects. Marijuana has not been FDA tested for use as a prescription or FDA tested for side effects with other prescription medications and is a Pandora’s box. No where does it say how this currently illegal substance will affect these legal medicines. Who’s going to foot that medical bill and the lawsuits that will follow from any horrible drug-interactions or falls or lung cancers?

What about people who have to be free of this drug (even if it’s legalized) to keep their jobs? Or people who want to be free of this drug? What about people who live in apartments? There are many people in apartment living or condo living where ventilation is shared or shared interior hallways have to be passed through where innocent people and children will be subject to breathing in that smoke. There are many people in these buildings who when they would go for random urine tests or blood work would have false positives for this drug in their system and would lose their jobs.

My other issue with this is people believing legalization would get rid of the drug problem. That people would be somehow able to possess and use it legally, thus not ending up in jail for minor infractions. Are you kidding me?

If the FDA finds there is any medicinal quality to marijuana, then before legalizing it, our representatives need to be sure they are protecting the non-using populace, especially in their homes where they and their children have the right to be drug-free. Would we even be talking legalization if it were only for “recreation?” Or must we ride the sick man’s back to get it even on the table for a vote to use it as a legal recreation? How low will we stoop?

Lisa Beth Moore, Youngstown