The legalization of marijuana for recreational use has been a growing debate around the nation, heightening since its legalization in the state of Colorado, and coming to the forefront of conversation in many states on the upcoming election day.

Massachusetts is set to vote on this hot button topic of legalization, and in my opinion, the choice is a no brainer for the Commonwealth: a “no” vote creates a safer, healthier community.

The first reason citizens should vote to strike down this proposal is the legal introduction of previously illicit drugs in our communities.

Many will argue that the so called “war on ‘harmless’ drugs” was created by the federal government to make money. That concept may be accurate, but is not relevant in the argument for or against legal marijuana.

What a voter must look at is the effects of marijuana on the human brain overtime. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, short term effects of marijuana include changes in ability to perceive time or senses, as well as impaired body movements. These effects can impede one’s ability to operate machines such as a vehicle, or make safe life decisions.

However, the long term effects of the drug are also alarming. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) notes that consistent use of marijuana can stunt mental growth over time, as well as create lung issues similar to those that cigarette smokers face. The most serious long term side effects include lower quality of life and poor mental health in general, according to NIDA.

With these effects in mind, it should be clear to the voter that we should never legalize drugs in a first world nation that can create such havoc and damage in a person’s life.

Furthermore, the New York Times once wrote that since the legal drugs of alcohol and tobacco lead in the causation of preventable death, adding a so called “alcohol like” drug to the equation will not reduce these numbers, and will most likely add to the problem as a whole.

Earlier facts show us that weed affects people in similar ways to those of alcohol, and some advocates of legalization even use this as a defense for their position. However, the CDC reports that 1,370 people died over a nine year period as a result of drunk driving accidents in Massachusetts.

Marijuana has the ability to produce the same effects alcohol, which could cause similar accidents. Therefore, to avoid these numbers rising, we should not add another factor to the equation.

Also, the legal use of marijuana has a higher chance of adding to the opioid epidemic facing the US. According to the New York Times, those who find themselves addicted to marijuana are three times more likely to become hooked on heroin, which is considered one of the more dangerous drugs in the world.

Beyond the simple facts of marijuana and its effects on its users, there is new information that claims that the process to grow marijuana can be harmful to the environment.

Since the drug would need to be grown indoors in Massachusetts due to its climate, there would be a rise in these types of facilities. However, in California, the Huffington Post reported that these types of facilities account for $6 billion in energy costs per year. Furthermore, the pollution by carbon dioxide from these farms is that of around 3 million cars.

Pollution is already considered a major problem in America, and adding to such a problem would be a step back in our more progressive society.

With these facts in mind, this reporter urges the voting public of Massachusetts to consider a no vote to Question 4. This question may decide the health and safety of you and your children, even if you never consume the drug, as evidenced. The overall effects on life in our state and our nation will be brought down, and this great nation should never bring down its quality of living in favor of an illicit drug being legalized.