Quote:
Originally Posted by Frequitude
Which academic studies show that legalization/decriminalization leads to lower use among the general population, lower use among youths, and lower instances of marijuana related DUIs?
|
To be honest, all of these things are likely to increase as a result of legalization. I don't think anyone is saying that these things will decrease. It's more that people are going use it anyway, we waste a terrible amount of money trying to fight it which can be reclaimed, and can gain tax revenue from it while opening up more studies into it's effects both negative and positive (many places are not even allowed to do tests on the positive because of it's illegality).
The problem with that in this debate is that a lot of that may be superficial; meaning the reported use increases, that doesn't mean actual use increases.
You will always have an increase in rec use. Whether that's people who didn't do it because it was illegal, or didn't because they can't smoke but edibles are available, or whatever. More people will use it, and I think most places show a very moderate increase in rec use after legalization.
However, it will also increase how readily someone admits to using it. If you did a survey of how many people consume alcohol and how many consume pot as it stands now, the people answering "no" to using alcohol are likely telling the truth. The people answering "no" to using MJ have legitimate reasons to lie. Just like do if they go to a doctors office. My doctor asks if I'm a smoker, I conveniently let myself think he is referring to cigarettes and so I say no. But that's not true, because I smoke MJ. I don't think he's ever asked me if I smoke weed. If he did I would say yes and there would be a statistic on that. But if I was afraid of what it may mean if I say yes, I might say no, which is the avenue many take when using illegal substances.