For years, I was a fervent voice for broad marijuana legalization, influenced by my brother’s constant campaign to legalize this drug. It dominated every time I talked to him.

My own arguments were rooted in principles of individual liberty, the demonstrable failures of prohibition, and the sheer irrationality of criminalizing a substance seemingly less harmful than alcohol. I spoke about tax revenue, regulated markets, and ending the disproportionate impact of drug laws on certain communities. I believed in ending the “War on Drugs” and treating adults as capable of making their own choices.

However, a responsible advocate must always remain open to new evidence, even when it challenges deeply held positions. And the scientific landscape surrounding cannabis is not static. As research progresses, a more nuanced and, frankly, more concerning picture has emerged regarding the widespread, unregulated use of marijuana. This evolving understanding has led me to a significant re-evaluation, pushing me from a position of broader support to one that is now much more limited and cautious: medical marijuana for specific, severe conditions, primarily pain relief for cancer victims.

I saw this drug claim my brother’s mind and character after he came back from Afghanistan psychically injured from the war and all the blood and guts he saw as a critical care trauma nurse. But his veteran status doesn’t change what happened later or excuse him for his emotional violence. I don’t recognize this pleasure-seeking, family-abandoning person that heavy marijuana use has created. He betrayed me personally and I blame the “Captain Cannabis” that my brother became.

Let me be clear: this is not a retreat from compassion, but a necessary step towards greater responsibility. My previous arguments still hold some weight, but they are now tempered by what we are learning about the potential long-term harms of unfettered cannabis use and my personal familial experience with a heavy user who advocates total legalization.

Here’s why my perspective has shifted:

First, the addictive potential of marijuana is undeniable. While often downplayed, the science is increasingly clear that cannabis can be addictive, leading to “cannabis use disorder.” Studies indicate that approximately 1 in 10 people who use marijuana will develop an addiction, a figure that rises to about 1 in 6 for those who start using as teenagers. For daily users, the risk can be as high as 25% to 50%. This addiction manifests in behaviors like failing to fulfill responsibilities, giving up important activities, and continued use despite negative consequences. Withdrawal symptoms, while not as physically severe as opioids, can include irritability, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and cravings – a clear indication of dependence. This isn’t just about “getting high”; it’s about a substance capable of profoundly disrupting lives.

Second, and perhaps most alarmingly, emerging evidence suggests marijuana may damage DNA and induce negative personality changes. Recent research, particularly involving high-potency cannabis, indicates that it can leave a distinct mark on DNA, affecting how genes function. While more research is needed, these epigenetic changes are a serious concern, particularly regarding their potential link to increased risk of psychosis and other mental health issues, especially in vulnerable populations. Furthermore, anecdotal observations, increasingly supported by research, point to concerning personality shifts in heavy, chronic users – a lack of motivation (the “amotivational syndrome”), a tendency towards hedonism over productive engagement, and a general blunting of ambition. This isn’t just about a temporary “buzz”; it’s about the potential erosion of individual drive and character, a far cry from harmless recreation. My brother’s conversion to a hedonistic, pleasure-seeking persona who disregards other people’s emotions and pain just cements my view that marijuana is not a “safe drug” by any means. Its use needs to be under a doctor’s care and heavily regulated. When it is not needed for medical reasons, it should be stopped, like all other medications.

Third, and fundamentally, we must understand the difference between exogenous cannabinoids (like THC from the plant) and our body’s natural endocannabinoid system. Our bodies naturally produce endocannabinoids, which play a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis – regulating everything from mood and sleep to appetite and pain. This is a finely tuned system. Introducing large, unregulated doses of exogenous cannabinoids, particularly THC, from external sources isn’t “natural” to this system; it can overwhelm and disrupt it. It’s akin to flooding a delicate internal mechanism with an external force. While specific, measured doses of certain cannabinoids might modulate this system therapeutically, a constant deluge from recreational use can throw it out of whack, potentially leading to long-term imbalances and detrimental effects.

When I weigh the purported benefits of broad legalization against this mounting evidence of addiction, potential DNA damage, personality shifts, and the disruption of a vital natural bodily system, my conclusion becomes stark. The risks associated with widespread, unregulated access to marijuana are simply too significant to ignore.

My continued support for medical marijuana for specific, grave circumstances, under strict doctor’s supervision, is therefore not a contradiction, but a refinement. For a cancer patient suffering intractable pain, where the benefits clearly outweigh the risks, cannabis can be a compassionate tool for palliation. In these extreme cases, the goal is not recreational enjoyment and self-centered hedonism, but profound relief from agony, carefully managed by medical professionals who can weigh the precise benefits against potential harms, monitor for side effects, and ensure product quality and consistency.

My commitment to individual liberty remains, but it is now tempered by a deeper understanding of the potential costs to individual well-being and public health. It can change a person’s personality and ruin families. The full evidence picture demands a more cautious, responsible approach to marijuana, one that prioritizes genuine medical need over broad societal experimentation with a drug that is not inherently safe.