Legalizing Marijuana Nationally: Is it Worth It? Marijuana, also known as "Cannabis" or "Weed", is a highly addictive drug created by the leaves of the hemp plant. The use of this has been around for decades, but has only recently come to the attention of the people of our nation as this once illegal drug has already been legalized in some form in twenty-three states in the United States, with Colorado being the only state where marijuana is completely legal (Harkinson, 2014). The debate on whether it is a good idea to legalize this drug or to not legalize this drug is still ongoing as the remaining states decide whether or not to legalize marijuana. Many argue that marijuana may be the only thing that actually helps a patient (Mirman, 2014), while others argue that the legalization of marijuana and the drug's side effects will ultimately put the nation in danger. …show more content…
Many people want to experience the medicinal effects of cannabis, but they do not want to break the law. Patients diagnosed with epilepsy or AIDS, and even people that are experiencing nausea caused by chemotherapy agree that marijuana is the only substance that has initially cured their side effects rather than any other drug that has been prescribed to them (Poindexter, 2014). Doctors around the world prescribe addictive drugs to a patient every day, but these drugs that are being prescribed do not initially help. As the production of marijuana is fairly easy and requires little to no technology, researchers Jon Gettman and Michael Kennedy argue that this is actually a legitimate reason as to why marijuana should be legalized (Gettman & Kennedy,
This subject has been debated numerous times over the past few years. People’s points of view and researches about the topic have varied greatly. Some people believe that marijuana should be legalized, while the rest feel should stay prohibited. Proponents of marijuana argue that there are numerous medical benefits and that the drug is not more harmful than tobacco or alcohol. On the other hand, opponents argue that marijuana is too dangerous; its legalization would increase the chances of the drug falling into the hands of teens and that marijuana use often progresses to the use of more dangerous drugs like heroin and cocaine.
The Costs of Criminalization Over the last 18 years, 23 state governments have legalized marijuana, taxonomically known as cannabis sativa, for medicinal use. Voters in these states have declared that the federal government has scheduled marijuana inaccurately, in that cannabis has many medical uses. Medical professionals in these states prescribe marijuana as a treatment for ailments ranging from insomnia and muscle pain, to post traumatic stress and epilepsy. But recently, we have seen a shift in marijuana reformation movements throughout the country.
There are many people who argue that marijuana should be legal for medical purposes. In fact, a growing number of states have legalized marijuana for medical use. Marijuana contains delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main ingredient in marijuana that makes people ‘high’, that may help treat a range of illnesses and symptoms such as increasing one’s appetite and reducing nausea. It can also decrease pain, inflammation, and muscle control problems (Abuse, National Institute on Drug). Furthermore, the chemical cannabidiol (CBD), another ingredient in marijuana, but it does not get people ‘high’, could potentially help reduce pain and inflammation, control epileptic seizures, and possibly treat mental illness and
But, did you know that all of these issues can be fixed if marijuana was legalized in all 50 states? Although many people think that marijuana is a horrible drug, there any many benefits that we as American’s can receive from marijuana. Whether it be from taking the drug yourself, or just supporting it in general. First of all, marijuana has been proven in many, many different medical lab studies to help those who suffer from cancer, seizures, everyday pain, and even anxiety. There are different forms of marijuana and also many different ways that the drug can be used, from smoking to an oil.
Cannabis Prohibition: The Beginning of the End It is understandable that most Americans question the benefits and drawbacks associated with the legalization of marijuana for recreational use. Federally, marijuana has been considered a Schedule I substance since 1970; it is classified amongst the most dangerous of drugs and is said to induce psychological and physical dependence or addiction. Regardless of its DEA classification, twenty-three states have legalized the medical use of marijuana to date.
Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia currently have laws legalizing marijuana in some form. Each of these states’ laws on pot differ. If marijuana is legalized in the United States, it would reduce the incarceration rate and help patients with epilepsy however, the effects of marijuana can have positive and negative effects depending on how you use it. Even though everyone has access to marijuana in the United States, it is still illegal in many states. If marijuana is legalized as medical use then the government can regulate the weed being sold.
Today the demands are changing in different states. In States such as Colorado and Washington, marijuana has been legalized for recreational use. This move raised several questions as far as decriminalization of marijuana is concerned. Besides portraying the US in a bad light, legalization of marijuana for recreation increases the risk of developing mental problems, increases government expenditure on public health, jeopardizes the future of children, and is a gateway to other dangerous drugs. Increased health problems and public health expenditure-
In the last decade, the United States has seen a lot of political debates, and one of the biggest is marijuana legalization. Around twenty seven states have either passed a law allowing medical marijuana or legalizing it over all. With so many states doing it, the main question is why not legalize it federally? Well because of the republicans. According to business insider, fifty five percent of republicans oppose it, as compared to the sixty six percent of democrats who want it legalized.
Imagine going to the doctor and being told that he recommends you smoke your medicine. In the last ten years we have been seeing more and more states make the move to legalize medical marijuana. An important aspect of making a decision as to whether this is a good or bad move is understanding what medical marijuana is in the first place. Like most topics as controversial as this, there is more to it than initially meets the eye.
Marijuana is a substance that is both beneficial and harmful to your body. However, despite the many cons of legalizing marijuana, the pros overlook the downfalls of it. Marijuana could be argued that it’s physically unhealthy for your body, but is actually a very effective medical source. In the United States Marijuana legalization has been debated nonstop since the drug's existence. Marijuana has been proven and tested to be a positive impact on our American society.
Bill Murray once said “I find it quite ironic that the most dangerous thing about weed is getting caught with it.” The reason this quote is here is because the meaning behind it is quite powerful. There are many people in this world that think marijuana legalization is not a good decision to make due to society's preconception that marijuana is bad (D'Alimonte). A preconception that if teens smoke marijuana now, then when they enter adulthood they will have cognitive impairment or that smoking marijuana can develop chronic bronchitis which are two things that has never happened; although, the view on marijuana has changed slowly over the years due to the evidence that is provided (D'Alimonte). The legalization of marijuana without a medical
Debate on Marijuana Legalization The talk on whether marijuana should be legalized in the United States is as high as it has ever been, but I feel the country should keep its current laws on the drug. Medical research on marijuana has recently proven it to kill brain cells that are essential for growth. When used on a regular basis, your mind starts to react to everyday events at a much slower pace.
A big debate is going on in some states across America. The debate is weather to legalize marijuana for medical and recreational use or keep the drug illegal. Some states such as Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and the District of Columbia. These states have seen an economic boom ever since marijuana has become legal in their state. Marijuana has been perceived as a harmful plant that can endanger lives and cause nothing but harm on people.
The legalization of marijuana is a topic of discussion not only of years or decades, but of centuries. In fact, regulations on the sale of marijuana began back in the sixteenth century and it is still undecidable today. For years, marijuana has been used by doctors with the purpose of helping people with serious health problems, especially for cancer patients. Therefore, marijuana should be legalized all around United States.
Many believe there is little future for benefit from smoked marijuana as a medically approved medication. As one can see, there have been many debates over the legalization of marijuana. These debates are likely to continue. In many different cultures, marijuana has been used through the years to treat various medical conditions.