Recently the House of Representatives passed a bill that approves the legalization of medical marijuana in Pennsylvania. This has been an ongoing debate between members of our government as well as everyday people. The question then becomes: Is this going to be a step forward or a step backward?

There are a lot of people who have been fighting for this to be passed for a long time. Parents, especially those with children who are terminally ill or suffer from severe seizures, seem to be a big fraction of those who support the controversial issue.

According to www.legis.state.pa.us, the bill was originally directed toward children who suffer from severe seizures. However, now the legislation states others who are “deemed fit” for the drug will be prescribed it as well. There are also three prohibitions within the legislation which only touch on the idea that an individual is limited to what they can and cannot do if they took medical marijuana. For example, also according to www.legis.state.pa.us, an individual may not operate a vehicle if they have more than 10 nanograms of THC in their system.

The legislation seems to have very loose restrictions, which could cause a plethora of problems if taken advantage of by the wrong people. Though it is great that this could help children in pain from horrible seizures or the terminally ill, what happens when everyday people begin to take advantage of the drug?

As mentioned before, the legislation does not have very many restrictions as to whom and for what this can be prescribed. Yes, it was originally for sick children, but it has since changed to “anyone who is deemed fit.” So what are the qualifications of being considered “deemed fit” to use this drug legally?

Is it a backache? Not being able to sleep? Migraines? If so, one can easily go to the doctor and claim to have those medical issues, simply to obtain the drug they have legalized for “medical purposes.”

Though it might be a good idea, I think there needs to be more restrictions put into place than there is at this point on the legislation. As it is right now, it would be way too easy for someone to go into the doctor’s office, tell their doctor they have migraines and get a prescription simply to get high with their friends.

We have seen these kinds of things happen with all kinds of drugs. There are many abused painkillers, such as oxycodone, which is commonly given after a simple procedure, such as getting your wisdom teeth out. Once prescribed, it is then abused more times than not. What would be so different with medical marijuana?

My answer is absolutely nothing. Though the drug is “not addictive,” people still seem to make their lives revolve around it. It will be abused and it will become just as big of a problem as any other drug prescribed by the doctor that gives people a high.

Our government really needs to think through this one before we have an even bigger problem on our hands. The reality is, though, due to the taxes that will be placed on each dose of medical marijuana that is given out, our state will be making money off of it. So will it care if it gets out of hand? Probably not.

The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the writer and are not representative of The Slate or its staff as a whole.

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