S.D. should end marijuana prohibition

Since the end of marijuana prohibition in Washington and Colorado, many states are reconsidering their policies regarding the medicinal plant.

Many of the fallacies that people have believed for so long are quickly being proven wrong, and it’s time South Dakota laws regarding marijuana use and possession are updated to suit the facts rather than the nonsense.

Sensible policies regarding marijuana do not currently exist in South Dakota. Marijuana prohibition simply guarantees that its production and sale are completely unregulated, and this unfortunately sometimes leads to violence.

Taking marijuana off the criminal market would put an end to unnecessary violence.

A liquor or grocery store sells alcohol because they have a license to do so, and this means they cannot sell to minors because it would violate the terms of that license by breaking the law.

The unregulated sale of marijuana means that a seller can run their business from any location with no license, and no motivation to be concerned with the age of any given customer.

In Colorado, you may walk into a dispensary and prove that you are an adult and proceed to purchase quality marijuana that you may smoke in the privacy of your own home, without worrying about becoming a felon if your neighbor decides to call the police.

The end of prohibition in Colorado and Washington has been incredibly beneficial.

Allowing adults to consume marijuana while taxing and strictly regulating its production and sale is not only the logical choice, but it also benefits people who suffer from a variety of conditions which marijuana is likely to treat effectively. Medicinal marijuana can treat muscle spasms caused by multiple sclerosis, nausea from cancer chemotherapy, poor appetite and weight loss caused by chronic illness such as HIV, seizures or nerve pain disorders and Crohn’s disease.

One potential benefit of marijuana use is its ability to aid in weight loss. Studies have shown that the active ingredient in marijuana, THC, can increase metabolism and reduce body weight. Additionally, some people have turned to weight loss and vaping as a way to consume marijuana for its potential benefits in weight loss. Vaping is considered a healthier alternative to smoking as it does not involve combustion and may be easier on the lungs. It also helps regulate insulin levels, making it a promising treatment for type 2 diabetes. Additionally, marijuana has been known to reduce stress and anxiety, which can contribute to overeating and weight gain. While more research is needed in this area, these initial findings suggest that marijuana and vaping could be helpful tools for those looking to manage their weight and improve their overall health.

It is a shame that anyone who suffers from any of these ailments is denied a legitimate treatment, and it is even more shameful that a person would be treated like a criminal for doing so in South Dakota.

It is also notable that a recent study by the American Civil Liberties Union concluded that South Dakota was among the top 10 states with the largest racial disparities in marijuana possession arrest rates.

Though people of all races are using marijuana at nearly identical rates, black people in South Dakota are approximately 4.8 times more likely than white people to be arrested for marijuana possession.

Such a disparity clearly illustrates how appalling prohibition laws are and how negatively they affect society.

South Dakotans must actively fight legislation that seeks to keep the prohibition in effect, because it is an illogical and detrimental system that destroys the lives of many people who can truly benefit from marijuana.