Paul Armentano On Marijuana Summary

Paul Armentano and the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) have very different viewpoints on marijuana. Armentano believes marijuana can be used for good because of the therapeutic effects it possesses, while ASAM believes it will only mean more illicit drug use. Prior to 1937, marijuana was considered less dangerous, but after the marijuana tax act, it became highly controversial. Armentano takes the position that it should be legalized nationwide and used for medical purposes. ASAM argues “if marijuana were legalized in any state, there would likely be changes in price, taxes, and marketing within that state and in surrounding states.” However also shows that they value the economy and society more highly than the health benefits on people.

Paul Armentano author of “Marijuana Has Been Used for Centuries and Is Relatively Safe”, explains uses of cannabis and its positive effects. Many know what it does and that it is shown in society as a positive mood enhancer. The other uses aren’t as well known. Certain types of cannabis, and some parts of the plant like the seeds and the stalk, contain no psychoactive properties. Cannabis seeds can be used as nutritional supplement and the stalk of the plant can be harvested for its high fiber content and

They recognize that alcohol and tobacco use is much higher than marijuana use. The nonmedical use of prescription drugs is now the fastest growing drug problem in the United States. ASAM says that these legal drugs provide evidence that drug use itself is a national public health threat. With legalization will come increased use. The more use of illicit drugs the higher the health costs than those of tobacco and alcohol if their legal status were