In an effort "to prevent harm to [drug] users and those around them" the Netherlands has implemented controversial drug laws which legalize certain types of drug use and trafficking. To implement these drug laws in the United States, in my opinion, would be detrimental to the country society.
             Highly debated, soft drug use can indeed be rationalized. There are some legitimate medical uses for schedule II and even some schedule I drugs, including marijuana. For certain cancer and seizure patients, it can be an excellent way to increase appetite, prevent vomiting and seizures. In some eye patients, glaucoma can also be helped. However, there are some physiological risks as well. Marijuana can cause motor impairment, much like alcohol, and more seriously has been known to be a carcinogen, causing cancer in the lungs. The drug causes vasodilation which increases heart rate, and for some patients can create a huge risk. Marijuana, although not highly addicting, is still a drug. It alters the brain's chemistry and can cause negative effects.
             Considering that 48% of high school seniors have experimented with marijuana at least once, it demonstrates that there is an increasing amount of drug usage in the United States, and that it is easily attainable. To legalize the usage and possession of marijuana would only increase possession and usage, because now the government is saying that it is "OK."
             In the category of hard drug usage, there is still some legitimate medical uses. Cocaine, for example, can be used as a local anesthetic and is also used during nose and throat surgery to prevent bleeding. However, cocaine blocks dopamine reuptake, severely increasing dopamine levels in the brain. This drug makes the users feel euphoric and "high" and is very addicting. Also, when cocaine is in the process of being made into a smokeable form, a substance known as ether is present in cocaine and i...