Marijuana is becoming socially accepted, especially since it is slowly being legalized within the United States. This is the third drug available to adults, in addition to tobacco and alcohol. What most people don’t know is that these substances are also the two most common causes to cases of preventable  death from motor vehicle accidents, to various types of fatal cancers. Though marijuana cannot scientifically be addictive, it is highly argued that it is a ‘gateway’ to other harmful, powerful and addictive drugs. So is it a good idea to add marijuana to the list of legal substances? Is there really any harm?

Antioch Community High School junior Kenzie Scott stands firm on the idea that even recreational marijuana should be legalized and is beneficial for not only the people, but the government in addition.

“I think marijuana should be legalized for many reasons. One reason in particular is the country would make 13.7 billion dollars per year if weed was taxed on. People will smoke either way if it is illegal or legal, so why not make profit from it? Weed doesn’t create horrible scenarios, people do,” said Scott. “Marijuana isn’t a gateway drug and you have 0 percent chance of overdosing or dying from weed. The people overpower the plant.”

It’s true you can’t overdose from weed. However, how far does one go for the “high”? If one were to become a regular smoker, a tolerance builds up, the intensity dwindles, and people will set out to look for a stronger high. This can lead to dangerous drugs.

ACHS science teacher Howard Citron, shares his thoughts on the dangers of making recreational marijuana legal.

“Marijuana is a slippery slope. It is a gateway drug. I know a lot of people tell you it’s not. But especially when you’re younger, it is a gateway drug because it’s generally the first drug that people would try,” said Citron. “And it is the reason that opens that door to other things that then take you to that next level.”

Despite that, Citron has a different idea on medical marijuana usage.

“Medically, there’s benefits. I would tell you that somebody who has cancer, it is an excellent way to get them hungry. As somebody who went through chemo, you’re not hungry, and you just start to wither away. Before starting chemo, I weighed 240 lbs. and six months into chemo I went down to 108.”

The controversial topic of whether or not to legalize marijuana has been a long, ongoing debate.