What are the consequences of marijuana legalization? Some states are legalizing marijuana, while others are decriminalizing it. Are there social and medical costs that many legislators are not considering?

Kevin Sabet takes on the seven myths about marijuana in his book, Reefer Sanity. He has served under Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama at the White House Office of National Drug Policy. He was on my program to give a counter argument to those who are convinced that legalizing marijuana is good public policy.

The first myth in his book addresses the commonly held idea that marijuana is harmless and non-addictive. His book has pages of studies demonstrating the health risks. And while it is true that marijuana is not as addictive as tobacco or heroin, there is a noticeable addiction rate.

Another myth is that smoked or eaten marijuana is medicine. Some proponents of marijuana legalization have admitted that the use of medical marijuana was used as a first step in the process of legalization. He also reminds us that people don’t have to smoke opium to derive the medical benefits of morphine.

He also takes on some of the public policy issues associated with marijuana legalization. Some argue that too many people are behind bars simply for smoking marijuana. Others argue that the legality of alcohol and tobacco strengthen the case for legal marijuana. He shows in his book that both of these arguments are myths.

He also deals with some of the economic arguments for legalizing marijuana. Proponents argue that it will solve the government’s budgetary problems. Others point to the supposed success of legalization in European countries. He also shows that these are myths.

Finally, he deals with the slogan that the war on drugs and drug treatment is a failure. Many argue that prevention, intervention, and treatment are doomed to fail. He disagrees and provides evidence to the contrary.

Before state legislatures move ahead to legalize marijuana, they should read his book.