The decriminalization and legalization of marijuana is spreading throughout the United States. So far 18 states have decriminalized it and five have legalized it.

Washington D.C. has recently legalized marijuana to citizens 21 years of age or older, they are allowed to possess and or grow marijuana to a certain degree.

Of course there are many pros and cons to the legalization of this drug. The biggest con is that many people may start smoking it now that didn’t before it was legalized.

“One of the cons of legalizing marijuana is that it’s considered a gateway drug,” junior Adrian Salinas said.

Legalizing marijuana may make teenagers think that it isn’t as harmful since it’s legal in multiple states now and this is a problem because so many teenagers can get access to it.

“Legalization might make society think it’s okay for marijuana to be consumed in any area or locations, even though others around them can be affected by this drug,” junior Kadijah Sesay adds.

Although there is definitely a negative outlook on marijuana legalization in the U.S., states that have legalized the drug have experienced boosts in their economy as a result of it. Colorado raised millions in the first month of legalizing marijuana and spent it all on education.

“I think legalizing marijuana is a good thing because it can raise a lot of money,” senior Rodrigo Coimbra said.

Legalizing marijuana could also be seen as a solution for patients struggling with certain medical problems. Marijuana being used for medicinal purposes has been used to ease pain for patients suffering from cancers, diseases, or long-term health conditions.

“It could also reduce the amount of people smoking tobacco which causes cancer,” Coimbra said.

Although many states have decided to legalize or decriminalize marijuana, in Virginia it is still illegal to possess weed. The first time you get caught with it you could have either a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail, a fine of five hundred dollars, the loss of your driving privileges or a combination of these punishments.

At AHS many precautions are taken to prevent the possession and use of marijuana on and off of school grounds.

“To ensure our rules are followed we have teachers, administrations, and adults monitoring the hallways keeping on eye on the students,” assistant principal Jamie Cariyannis said.

Although for some students it may be surprising to hear that students would come to class under the influence, it is not unheard of for administration to find students who have used drugs before coming to school.

“Teachers will email us saying they’ve got a kid in their class who looks like they might be under the influence,” Cariyannis said.

This year, administration seized two students because of their possession of marijuana as opposed to the previous year when there was six students. According to Cariyannis, the first step they take is to advise the student to attend a three day drug-alcohol seminar in order to learn more about the substances they are abusing.

“We’re educators; we want to teach, we want to educate,” Cariyannis said.

The punishments under school administration can range from “anything from putting them on behavior contract and leaving them here at school, all the way up to suspension and a recommendation to the division superintendent.”

Out of the states where marijuana is legalized, Virginia is not one of them. Therefore students who are in the possession of marijuana will receive the consequences, under school rules as well as state legislation, that they deserve for the decisions and actions that they make.