Should America Be Going Green: The Pros & Cons of the Legalization of Marijuana

Brace yourselves; Corn on the Job is getting political.

Brace yourselves again; we’re talking about weed.

You may be wondering why this topic is appearing here on Corn on the Job and the answer to that is actually quite simple. You see, the legalization of pot has only complicated things for employers.   With laws and regulations varying from state to state, it’s tough for employers to know what they can and can’t do and how/when they should be testing employees for drug use. As a job seeker or happily employed human, these complications affect you as well.

Employers and employees are clearly torn and fall on both sides of the issue. This isn’t simply a situation where every employee wanting to be able to use marijuana when they want, and the employer fighting back. As far as employers are concerned, many feel that each individual company should have the right to build policy around what’s acceptable and not acceptable surrounding marijuana use for employees. One example of that is Richard Matteucci, of USA Mobile Drug Testing of of Denver who says, “I don’t agree with, but can accept the fact the some employers have no problem if their employees consume marijuana off the clock. It’s their right to operate their own business how they see fit as long as those employees do not have a safety-sensitive job, like transportation or operating heavy machinery, but I also support an employer’s right to only hire employees who do not use drugs. Marijuana may be legal, but that doesn’t mean an employer has to hire or retain drug users. If an employee doesn’t like the fact that their drug use is a disqualifying factor, they have the right to go start their own company and hire all the drug users they want.”

Just because we may one day see legalization of marijuana nation-wide, that certainly doesn’t mean it’s acceptable in every industry and company culture. USA Mobile Drug Testing, a company that specializes in providing 24/7 on-site drug testing, has built a business around helping employers keep substance abuse out of the workplace. This service will only be more important as more states legalize pot.

And to make this perfectly clear, I’m pretty unbiased when it comes to the issue. Do I touch the stuff? No. Do I know awesome people who do? Certainly. I do however feel that monitoring substance abuse at each company is important. Do I want my pilots toking up in their free time? No. 100% no. And the issues go far beyond just marijuana use. Injuries can lead to employees abusing heroin, starting with pain killers.

My point of view here is that I believe almost anything moderation is OK. That goes for drinking, smoking cigars, gambling…you get the point. However, where some potentially harmless fun becomes catastrophic to your career is when it leads to lost opportunities or terminations.

So, how many Americans are going green? The short answer is a lot, but here are a couple stats to prove that.

• Numerous studies have shown that 75% of illegal drug users (12.9 million people) are employed.
• Over 94 million Americans have admitted to using marijuana.

Clearly, this topic isn’t going anywhere. With so many Americans using, and so many employers employing those who use, it’s sticky, interesting, and complicated.

If you’re somewhere in the middle like me then maybe a look at the pros and cons will help sort it all out for you.

The Pros of Legalizing Marijuana

• Increased Revenue: Isn’t it always about money? Tax on Marijuana in Colorado alone could bring up to $22 million annually. That money could go to road/bridge repairs, new parks, who knows, the world is our oyster.

• Safety Controls: I assume purchasing drugs on the street is what one would call…risky. Who knows what that stuff could be laced with and causing greater danger to the user.

• Easier Access for Medicinal Use:There’s a great wide range of health conditions that could be treated to an extent with marijuana. Legalizing will allow those who need it greater access. For more information about vaping marijuana you can pick-up some inputs through whatsyourvapetemp.com.

• Increased Effectiveness for Law Enforcement: Simply put, if Marijuana was illegal, the cops could spend more time tracking down the violent and dangerous crimes, and spend less time undercover at concerts sniffing out the drug.

The Cons of Legalizing Marijuana

• It IS Additive: I was always told/heard that it wasn’t addictive, but research shows that as many as 10% of users develop dependence over time. 

• It’s Really Not Healthy: Your brain, your heart, your lungs, and your mental health are all affected.   Blood vessels in your brain are restricted for a month after use. Smoking can increase your chance for heart conditions, including heart attacks. The carcinogen levels of marijuana are 50-70% higher than tobacco smoke, leading to an increased chance of lung cancer. And it’s been found that marijuana can lead to mental illnesses, like depression and schizophrenia. So, the risks are there.

• It’s a Gateway Drug: Not only do addiction treatment specialists believe using marijuana could lead to cocaine and heroin use, but using has shown that young adults are 2-3 more times likely to abuse prescription drugs.

• How About the Children: Does legalizing pot send the message to children that drug use is acceptable? Whose parent hasn’t slipped them a sip of beer or a small glass of wine at the family dinner table? Does legalization lead to family board game and puff puff pass night?

If you’re like me, seeing the pros and cons might not be swaying you to either side. Personally, I’m not thrilled with the many health factors mentioned of marijuana use, but I’m also terrified of what people may be using when they buy on the street.

The big issue here is that companies do need to set individual policies on what’s acceptable in their culture and in the industry. If using marijuana is something you enjoy, then maybe you steer clear of the companies that you know will be testing and/or ban employees who use. At the end of the day, we all have a decision to make, and that goes for employers as well.

Where do you stand? Are you hoping for the legalization of marijuana nation-wide? Tell us why or why not in the comments below!