TOW 26

Here's an updated tally of all the people who have died from a marijuana overdose by Nick Wang on The Huffington Post is a satircal take on the effects of marijuana. The piece itself is a response to the reaction from the satirical story stating that 37 had died from a marijuana overdose in Colorado due to its legalization. This story was to prove the point that marijuana itself is harmless and cannot result in an overdose in a plausible way but rather one that is nearly impossible to achieve. Through the use of satire, statistical evidence, and realism Wang creates an effective response showing the harmless and beneficial effects of the legalization of marijuana. The amount needed to be ingested in order to overdose is one so great there is no record of anyone using this age old "herb" over dosing. The satirical story posted by The Daily Currant is almost a mockery of the opposers to the legalization of marijuana in Colorado and America period. The Huffington Post took another shot at those confused by the piece by titling their response 'an updated tally of the people who have died from an overdose', the title being a mockery itself. The legalization of recreational marijuana use brought forth the pursuit of legalization in many other states which enraged police groups because it abandoned the current "failed war on drugs" (Wang). A letter written to the Attorney General law enforcements warned that his decision to not intervene at the legalization would lead to crime, violence, and even death. The police groups also made a number of additional controversial claims that marijuana use itself leads to violent behavior, suicidal thoughts and interest in harder drugs. Scientific studies have not been able to prove this causation conclusively, however, and research has also suggested that THC has significant therapeutic value to patients suffering from cancer, AIDS or glaucoma. None of this is to say that the nation doesn't struggle with broader issues of drug and alcohol abuse and overdose. Drug policy reformers and activists gathered around the world last year to discuss the overdose epidemic. In 2010, overdoses were responsible for 38,329 deaths. Sixty percent of those were related to prescription drugs. In the same year, a total of 25,692 persons died of alcohol-induced causes, including accidental poisoning and disease from dependent use. However, these statistics do not include marijuana, which in comparison is virtually harmless. Overall the positives of the legalization seem to outweigh the negatives and those opposed, law enforcement, are also some of the largest profiters from its illegality. This ultimately proves as a fallacy which along with the lack of evidence of this claim further deters the resistance against legalization.