It is imperative to mention that the number of supporters of medical marijuana in the United States has been increasing, and numerous studies suggest that it has many benefits that should not be overlooked. The problem is that many individuals are against the legislation because they are too worried about such aspects as cannabis addiction and others. The biggest problem that is currently present in that the population is misinformed about the harmful effects of the drug, and it has been promoted as a dangerous drug. However, it is simply not true, and most of the stereotypes are not reasonable. The primary goal of this paper is to draw attention to this problem and discuss some of the most significant advantages of cannabis.
One of the reasons the legalization is beneficial is that it has been proven that this drug is incredibly useful in healthcare. The fact that it can be used as a recreational drug also should not be disregarded, and people can use it to relax and alter the state of mind. It is believed that it is quite similar to alcohol and tobacco, and should not be compared to illegal drugs like heroin. Positive effects that are related to the usage of cannabis are euphoria, lowered anxiety, and others. It affects particular areas of the brain and alters the way individuals feel pain (Greenwell, 2012). However, it is still regarded as dangerous for adolescents, and adults should be careful because it may lead to severe consequences.
It has been proven that its use is beneficial for patients that suffer from nausea because of chemotherapy (Nierengarten, 2016). It is important to understand that it has other potential uses. For instance, it may boost appetite, and this effect can be quite helpful for many individuals. Scientists have also found that it could be possible to treat some autoimmune conditions and reduce inflammation (Volkow, 2015). Results of one of the studies suggest that it can be viewed as a vital part of multiple sclerosis therapies, and further research is needed (Nelson, 2015). Furthermore, legalization is necessary because it would be much easier for health care professionals to conduct studies and improve the understanding of its effects, and how they may be utilized.
The fact that it helps to reduce crime rates also needs to be highlighted. The most significant problems that many individuals had to deal with are responsible for drug trade and possession of marijuana. Most marijuana users are not violent, and the punishment does not seem proportional. Furthermore, people will no longer have to participate in criminal activities and risk their well-being if they want to access marijuana. Moreover, one of the press releases indicates that the number of crimes in Colorado has decreased significantly from 2013 to 2014. The percentage of people that were arrested because they cultivated cannabis has reduced dramatically, and it is lower by ninety percents A judicial system was able to save enormous amounts of money, and it does not have to be wasted on arrests and other procedures (Drug Policy Alliance, 2015). Another factor that needs to be highlighted is that individuals are more likely to use marijuana rationally when it is prescribed by doctors, and it helps to avoid possible consequences of the overdose. A reduction of accidents on the road is also worth noting, and it signifies that people are more likely to drive without being dangerous to others if they are provided with guidelines on how to use cannabis responsibly.
The economic benefits of legalization are truly astounding. The government was able to collect close to forty-one millions of dollars over the short period of ten months and decided to hire health care professionals with the use of generated funds (Drug Policy Alliance, 2015). Enormous shortages in this area were present, and legislation has helped to resolve them. The fact that new jobs are being created is also worth mentioning, and the number of unemployed individuals has reduced in Colorado. The economy of the country would likely grow at rapid rates if marijuana is legalized in more states. It is much easier for the government to regulate the market when it is legal, and taxation of businesses could lead to significant profits. The industry is expanding in the states that have already legalized the drug, and many individuals are incredibly interested in licenses. Another aspect that needs to be highlighted is that the United States spends billions of dollars on prohibition. It is possible to state that this approach seems unreasonable because such funds can be utilized to promote the health and well-being of the population once cannabis is legal.
In conclusion, it is hard to argue with the fact that medical marijuana is beneficial from both economic and health care perspectives. It is necessary to study the experience of states that have already legalized the drug to identify its advantages. Moreover, the fact that a particular system has already been established is crucial, and it would be much easier to introduce such policies in other regions if it is necessary. The most attention should be devoted to the promotion of benefits of marijuana and studies in this area. Understandably, many individuals would not be satisfied with legalization, but the evidence that supports the advantages of cannabis is undeniable. All of the benefits of this drug are still not explored, but the available evidence is sufficient to justify legalization and decriminalization. Many misconceptions about it have been addressed, and it is not dangerous at all if users are responsible. Overall, it is paramount to note that the legislation would improve the health and well-being of the population, would help to reduce the percentage of crimes, and the economic growth associated with medical marijuana is also enormous.
References
Drug Policy Alliance. (2015). Status report: Marijuana legalization in Colorado after one year of retail sales and two years of decriminalization [Press release]. Web.
Greenwell, G. T. (2012). Medical marijuana use for chronic pain: risks and benefits. Journal Of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy, 26(1), 68-69.
Nelson, B. (2015). Medical marijuana: hints of headway? Despite a conflicted regulatory landscape, support for medical marijuana is growing amid increasing evidence of potential benefits. Cancer Cytopathology, 123(2), 67-68
Nierengarten, M. (2016). Talking to teens about marijuana. Contemporary Pediatrics, 33(2), 14-22.
Volkow, N. (2015). Taking a science‐informed approach to medical marijuana. Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Weekly, 27(17), 5-6.