Really, they are just trying to get the things they want and need to survive that they probably would otherwise have if they did not begin using marijuana. Edmund Hartnett, deputy chief and executive officer of the narcotics division in the New York Police Department stated, "Opponents to legalization obviously do not see legalization as a panacea that will make crime go away. They see a clear connection between drug use and crime and, perhaps more importantly, between drug use and violence"" (Hartnett 2). Reports from the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) have shown that six times as many homicides happen by people under the influence of drugs than the people looking for money to buy them. Also, they found that most people arrested for violent crimes test positive for drugs at the time of arrest.
Everybody wants success, but not everybody is setting himself or herself up to get there. It is really sad to walk through New York City and see the people walking the streets in bed sheets, holding signs that say "need money for weed. " Yes, this may be the lowest of lows. But it is true. Then there are the people that are going to school. They show up. They participate in class. They are smart students, but they do not pull their end when it comes to homework. Justin Worland from Time said, "The number of teenagers who smoke marijuana is on the upswing, and those who do smoke pot may face a decline in brain functioning"" (Worland 2). This is a real concern. These days, schooling is very important. Completing high school or at least getting your G.E.D. is a definite must for almost every job that can allow you to support yourself. Worland also talked about how 6.5 percent of high school seniors smoke marijuana daily, which has increased by 4.1 since the year 1993. Worland's point about brain functioning plays a huge roll in this because your brain is your main tool to get you through. Using drugs is going to put a damper on that.
