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Molly Odell

Sanders

EWRC Period 4

3 June 2019

Forbidden Fruit: Refuting The Generalization of Soft Drugs in Modern America

For the past 50 years, the prohibition on drugs has placed the market for illegal drugs into

the hands of organized criminals. According to the Center For American Progress, following

1971, the war on drugs cost the United States around $1 trillion (Pearl). $1 trillion that could

have been used for education, the arts, public services, military, and countless other federally-

funded programs and services. Legalizing soft drugs will provide innovation in medicine,

financial welfare, and better social prerogatives in our criminal system.

The contrast between soft and hard drugs is significant when discussing the legalization

of drugs. Soft drugs (cannabis, LSD, ayahuasca, psilocybin, mescaline, iboga, and DMT) don’t

commonly cause physical addiction. Despite not causing physical addiction, usage of soft drugs

may lead to ‘psychological dependence’ (Marsh P. et al). According to Urban Dictionary, “A

soft drug is a psychoactive substance that is less addictive or dangerous than 'hard drugs' such as

methamphetamines, cocaine, heroin, and opioids.” In fact, religious events involving ingestion of

these "sacred mushrooms" were practiced in the Valley of Mexico, which researchers estimate

are at least 3,500 years old (Blaszczak-Boxe). It shouldn't come as a surprise when after 3,500

years, humans are still curious and eager to study and experiment with what all of these

substances have to offer. As a matter of fact, Research has shown that soft drug trials have

helped thousands with significant diseases, disorders, and side effects of chemotherapy.
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Soft drugs, such as marijuana, MDMA, and psilocybin, help lessen significant symptoms

and effects in multiple mental or physical disorders (Gasser et al). By legalizing soft drugs, we

have more access to test strains in marijuana, psilocybin, DMT, and other substances which can

be very beneficial in scientific research. A report titled “LSD- Assisted Psychotherapy for

Anxiety Associated with a Life-Threatening Disease: a Qualitative Study of Acute and Sustained

Subjective Effects” provides evidence that soft drug usage, in research about effects on mental

and physical health, can be successful and beneficial (Gasser et al). In this study, Gasser,

Kirchner, and Passie studied long-term effects on depression and anxiety. They also explored

‘subjective experiences’ and the drug’s lasting psychological changes on their patients.

LSD induces a dreamlike alteration of consciousness with increased affectivity and

enhanced production of inner stimuli. Without any clouding of consciousness, the dream-

like altered state is experienced with full awareness of the self and good memory of the

experience. Hypermnesia and enhanced memory processes typically occur. Ego

identification and ego boundaries are weakened (Gasser et al)

LSD broadens the brain’s association and interpretation of the meanings in relationships and

objects; this allows insight to hidden feelings, associations, thoughts, and pathways. Because of

this, all of the participants reacted almost identically to the effects:

The patients initially were confronted with aspects of their situation related to ‘negative’

emotions such as anxiety, depression, hopelessness and their experience transformed into

a much more positive basic emotional tone. The patients described this as an intensity

that never was experienced before and that gave them ‘a new baseline’ for how to feel in

their life situation (Gasser et al)

However, the most significant finding was that nobody participating reported any negative

lasting effects from the LSD (Gasser et al). Several authors dispute that acid-like substances

create ‘peak or mystical experiences’ and these experiences have “an inherent potential to
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change the psychological makeup of the person” (Gasser et al). Roland R. Griffiths, a prominent

researcher on the behavioral effects of mood-altering drugs, recommends that psilocybin be

legalized for medical use, which will pave the way for psychotherapy depression treatments and

possibly help quit dangerous smoking habits (Pollon). However, Depression and anxiety aren’t

the only mental and physical illnesses that can benefit from psilocybin, MDMA, and medical

marijuana psychotherapy. One man, Alyx, who participated in his own structured experiment

with psilocybin discusses how he, like many others, is used shrooms in a medical study to lessen

the harsh and extreme side effects of autism. In his own research, Alyx found out about an

MDMA trial that was extremely successful with autistic symptoms (Noakes). After participating

in his own led psilocybin experiment, using 45 grams, Alyx’s supervisor, Claire, highlights that,

“[Alyx] didn't understand emotion at all, and so he didn't have the language to express what he

was thinking and feeling...but the psilocybin somehow gave him the skills to do it—he was

suddenly able to empathize with other people, and have full conversations.” (Noakes). This was

a significant breakthrough for not only Alyx but fellow autistic adults who are looking for a way

to make daily life significantly better. Medically, soft drugs can be extremely beneficial,

however, the legalization of soft drugs can positively affect other aspects of the average

American citizen’s lives without having to even go near the substances.

The war on drugs was sprung into effect in the ‘80s and its public service has entered

each American home for decades. However, the criminalization of these drugs has actually

prevented us from receiving the benefits of the legalization. Financially, legalization of soft

drugs would create a surplus of funding for the police and criminal resources from tax revenue.

This gives police time and resources to direct attention on more important crimes

(drugpolicy.org). Subsequently, with federal and state involvement, cannabis dispensaries would

be registered within the state and would be safely taxed and regulated. (Franciosi). Tax revenue

collected off of marijuana sales in 2015 surpassed $135 million. “That money can be used to fix
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roads, fund public projects, improve schools, hire more police and firefighters, etc” (Franciosi).

Billions of dollars annually would be saved by removing criminal charges for use and possession

of drugs; funds which can be directed to aid in providing efficient health care. Nevertheless,

many are concerned with the black market and what role that would play in the distribution.

However, federal and even state involvement cuts off the market completely; growers and sellers

come straight to federal agencies for business and benefits (Armstrong). The Associate Professor

of Operations Research at Goodman School of Business, Michael J. Armstrong, emphasizes that

“legal cannabis might eventually undercut illegal weed. Mass production is already reducing per-

gram growing costs below $0.75 and is heading for $0.20. Moving production to countries with

lower wages and warmer climates could drop that to $0.05.” (Armstrong). Black markets will

become virtually useless if we get control of the drug market and regulate it on our own federal

terms. Additionally, federal involvement and distribution guarantees better education on safe and

responsible usage of the legalization and how it can benefit American citizens of legal age, who

are eligible for medical use or research (Armstrong)

No conversation about drugs can merely wash over one important effect of the war on

drugs: fraudulent criminalization. According to the FBI’s most recent Uniform Crime Report,

1.63 million arrests were made for drug law violations in 2017 (Rajagopalan). More than 85% of

these arrests were just for drug possession. However, this has left no lasting effect nor decreases

the attainability of drugs nor the harms caused. “What we’re doing doesn’t work – and actually

makes things worse.” (Davies). On any given night, roughly 133,000 people are in U.S prisons

and jails for drug possession, which is an excess of time and resources for the prisons and the

ones behind bars. Legalization of these minor drugs decreases the amount of people arrested and

incarcerated which allows families and communities to avert the lifelong burdens of a criminal

record (drugpolicy.org). Refraining from criminalizing drug possession also strengthens

communities’ relationships with law enforcement and raises levels of trust in local police. I
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believe this will benefit the justice system by decreasing administrative pressure on police,

prosecutors, and courts. Another essential point is that drug prohibitions fuel mass deportations.

For noncitizens, even legal permanent residents, possession of any drug leads to detention and

expulsion from the country, often without the possibility of return. Our criminal system would

improve significantly with the legalization of soft drugs, however, that does not guarantees zero

crime nor a perfect peaceful society.

As more states and countries moved to legalize soft medical and recreational drugs, The

debate on the moral, social, and legal implications of drugs will increase- along with more

research. Typically, opponents of soft drug legalization argue that legalization will increase

marijuana usage among teens and young adults because it will produce marijuana available at a

cheaper price (Hall). However, The National Academy of Sciences asserts that "There is little

evidence that decriminalization of marijuana use necessarily leads to a substantial increase in

marijuana use." Interestingly, several reports found that the majority of states with legalized

medical marijuana, the usage among youth has decreased (Drug Policy Alliance). On the Drug

Policy Alliance website, it claims that this is because of the “forbidden fruit” effect. However,

legalization brings reduced availability to marijuana as it relocated from the unregulated streets

to licensed dispensaries (Drug Policy Alliance). Essentially, if you tell a three-year-old to never

touch something- that's the one thing they’re going to want to do. Another main point about

criminalization of soft drugs is that drugs make people more violent, aggressive, and dangerous.

A report called “Couples' Marijuana Use Is Inversely Related to Their Intimate Partner Violence

over the First 9 Years of Marriage.”, published in the Journal of the Society of Psychologists in

Addictive Behaviors discusses fascinating behavior studies and the relationship between

marijuana and rates of intimate partner violence.

“ In fully adjusted models, we found that more frequent marijuana use by husbands and

wives predicted less frequent Intimate Partner Violence perpetration by husbands.

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Husbands' marijuana use also predicted less frequent IPV perpetration by wives.

Moderation analyses demonstrated that couples in which both spouses used marijuana

frequently reported the least frequent IPV perpetration” (Smith)

Smith’s findings are just one example of decreased violence and crimes in association with

marijuana. In Washington State, “the number of low-level court filings for marijuana fell by 98%

between 2012 and 2013 and the number of adults convicted for misdemeanor possession fell as

well” (Aclu of Washington). Moreover, A study discovered that opioid overdoses were a quarter

lower in areas that had implemented legalization and the decrease was larger the longer the

legalization was implemented (Bachhuber). We can see that even with more access to eligible

participants, the rate of illegal usage and crime has decreased. Another point many anti-

legalization groups claims is that marijuana is a ‘gateway drug’. Among most drug users, weed is

actually an endpoint in drug use rather than a starting drug (Drug Policy Alliance). New evidence

suggests that marijuana can actually work as an “exit drug,” and helps addicts decrease and

eliminate their use of harmful drugs (DPA). For the concern of second-hand smoke, simple

parameters can be set up in place for marijuana users. Just like cigarette laws, many states are

implementing similar laws which require designated smoking areas, and no smoking near public

properties like hospitals or schools. I believe the legalization of soft drugs will not affect our

society as much as people assume. Most of the negative theories of future decriminalization are

based on fear or lack of understanding of the drugs and how they will actually affect our laws,

cities, and citizens.

Legalizing soft drugs will provide our country with resources and financial security,

social freedom, and innovative medical research. Let's be the front of this race and stop

criminalizing substances that have been and should be used to help people of all sexes, race, and

ages (over the legal limit). From this evidence, we can see that legalization will reduce racial

discrimination in drug law enforcement, creates an environment where problematic drug abusers
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have an incentive to seek treatment, and makes our communities safer and healthier.

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