Category: Cannabis/Medical Marijuana

Marijuana is a dried flower of cannabis plants. These plants typically smoke to produced a psychoactive high. “These plants and other part of the can be processed into oil, high hash, extracts and other refined product that can be eaten, smoked, and vaporized”(Galeo). The psychoactive is produced by the high associated with marijuana is known as THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). Marijuana contains more than four hundred document chemicals. More than one hundred numbers active cannabinoids. Cannabinoids can affect a person mentally and physically. (THC) are found in different marijuana this causes alter person mood or behavior.

Marijuana and cannabinoids the active chemicals in marijuana that cause drug-like effects throughout the body, including the central nervous system and the immune system. The main active cannabinoid in marijuana is delta-9-THC. Another active cannabinoid is cannabidiol (CBD), which may relieve pain and lower inflammation without causing the high. While marijuana and cannabinoids have been studied with respect to managing side effects of cancer and cancer therapies, there are no ongoing clinical trials of marijuana or cannabinoids in treating cancer in people. And Also, marijuana can cause side effects and complications.

There is not enough evidence to recommend that patients inhale or ingest marijuana as a treatment for cancer-related symptoms or side effects of cancer therapy. Smoked marijuana delivers THC and other cannabinoids to the body, but it also delivers harmful substances to users and those close by, including many of the same substances found in tobacco smoke, harmful to the lungs and cardiovascular system.

A few studies have found that marijuana can be helpful in treating neuropathic pain (pain caused by damaged nerves). More research is needed to know if marijuana is any better or any worse than other options for managing chronic pain. Marijuana has good proven benefits because its use in hospitals to relief chronic pain and help you relax when you are stressed out. CBD cannabidiol helps relief relieving insomnia, anxiety, spasticity, and pain to treating potentially life-threatening conditions such as epilepsy.

Childhood marijuana use can affect learning ability, attentions , memory, coordination, balance, judgment, and decision-making. Many parents also think pot must be harmless because they believe it’s a natural herb. But studies show marijuana can have harmful effects on a teens developing brain. People who use marijuana prior to the age of 12 are twice as likely to experience a serious mental illness compared to those who first use marijuana at age 18 or older. Age 18 or older who reported lifetime marijuana use, almost 53 percent report first using marijuana between ages 12 and 17. About 2 percent report that they first used marijuana before age 12. In 2010, 21 percent of high school seniors used marijuana in the past 30 days, while 19 percent smoked cigarettes. Nineteen percent of teen drivers reports they have driven under the influence of marijuana. People the abused marijuana is considered addicted to marijuana if they continue to use even when it interferes with many aspects of their lives and if they have withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit. The estimate that 9% of people all marijuana users end up becoming dependent upon it. For those users who began using marijuana in their teens, the percentage of those who become dependent goes to about 17%. For those who smoke marijuana daily, the number who become dependent ranges from 25% to 50%.In 2010, of the 7.1 million Americans abusing drugs, 4.5 million used marijuana.In 2009, approximately 18% of those seeking treatment for drug abuse reported marijuana as their primary drug. “Also in 2009, 61% of persons receiving treatment under age 15 reported marijuana as their primary drug of abuse” (Health-effects).

Marijuana problems can happen during or after one of the first time using marijuana, or they can build up over time. In 2003, the diagnostic criteria changed and a new disorder of cannabis use disorder, appeared in the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders of abusing and cannabis dependence. Marijuana abuse and marijuana addiction appear to overlap perhaps more than use abused and and addiction to others drugs., not least because of the drugs current status in minds of users can be harmless drug.” Marijuana users is easily able to use only small amount of marijuana with mild effect, with no particular desire to get stone”(Galeo Marijuana).

Epidemiological study the marijuana and tobacco have the same type of damage of respiratory of smoke disease. Marijuana has (THC) he or she make them slumps or make their heart accelerate faster. The drug’s effects can differ, depending on factors including the strain of marijuana consumed by the user, the level of THC content, and the consumption method.General effects of a marijuana high include altered sensory perception, with particularly profound impacts on sight, sound, and taste. It can also induce temporal distortions, making time seem to pass more slowly. Mood changes can occur; these effects tend to be highly subjective and dependent on the user’s mental and emotional state. Many users report that the high causes difficulty with sequential reasoning and problem-solving, but stimulates creativity and free-associative thought. At very high doses, marijuana can also induce delusions and hallucinations.

The legalization of recreational marijuana has had positive as well as negative impacts. On the positive side, states with legal recreational marijuana have enjoyed a major increase in tax revenues. “Colorado, which was the first state to legalize the drug for adult recreational use, took in a reported $506 million in revenue from marijuana sales between January 2014 and July 2017, including over $200 million in 2016 alone”(Galeo). A 2017 study also showed that if marijuana were legalized in the United States at the federal level, it would generate $132 billion in tax revenue and create over one million jobs over the ten-year period spanning 2017–2026. In addition, legalization would disrupt the criminal networks that control the production and distribution of the drug in areas where it is prohibited, denying them a major source of revenue. A reduction in the illegal distribution of marijuana would also theoretically make it more difficult for minors to access the drug.Changing marijuana laws have also introduced some complex legal issues with no clear answers. There is a growing advocacy movement for marijuana amnesty, which would erase previous convictions from the criminal records of people found guilty of marijuana possession for personal use. However, with marijuana remaining prohibited at the federal level, there is no obvious path forward for such a policy at the national level.There is a common popular belief that marijuana does not cause physical addiction , and that psychological dependence is the greatest risk it presents in this regard. The distinction between physical addiction and psychological dependence is that addiction causes physical withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued, while dependence causes withdrawal symptoms that are purely emotional and psychological in nature. However, experts stress that characterizing marijuana in this way is inaccurate and misleading because physical addiction can occur in rare cases, primarily in very heavy chronic users.

Marijuana has potential or recognized therapeutic value for a wide range of symptoms and conditions, including chronic pain, seizures, inflammation, nausea, and insomnia. Research suggests that cannabis can also ease symptoms like the muscle spasms and stiffness of progressive neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Additionally, marijuana has been shown to help treat nausea and vomiting in some cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and to counteract loss of appetite among people with HIV/ AIDS . When combined with other therapies, it may also help individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Marijuana also has been cited as a possible solution for the abuse of harder drugs, particularly opioids. The products of cannabis plants have noted analgesic properties and are being investigated as possible alternatives to the powerful narcotic painkillers that have contributed to high rates of opioid addiction in the United States and other countries.

Marijuana, a Mexican term, is referred to as cannabis leaves in other countries which people think as something negative or associate it with the term high (Hajizadeh, 2016). As stated by United Nations (2018), in 2016, cannabis was the most commonly used drug with 192 million people around the world, and this press the issue about whether or not to legalize it. The use of marijuana in the Philippines is illegal as disadvantages are always been recognized by society. However, the use of marijuana is beneficial in a way that has impacts on the economy, social, and health as stated again by Hajizadeh (2016). Moreover, high levels of abuse in using marijuana show that there is an indication that it can administer consequences on health including physiological, cognitive, and psychological effects (Vidourek, King, Merianos, Burbage, and Oluwoye, 2018).

The journal entitled Legalizing and Regulating Marijuana in Canada illustrates that economic, social and health growth are the different factors that affect the use of marijuana as stated by Hajizadeh (2016). As stated by the report of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, the validity of the use of marijuana would help to progress $10 billion through the increasing of revenues brought by marijuana. Moreover, people in Canada especially the youth show the highest users of the drug as mentioned in the report of the United Nations Children’s Fund. It can prevent unhealthy surroundings due to the use of the illegal drug problem encountered with the black market. As claimed by the report of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, there are health problems regarding the application of the drug.

On the contrary, according to the study of Vidourek et. al., (2018), more and more college students use marijuana in the United States, a country where medical and recreational use of marijuana is legal. Although it is believed to be less harmful to society than alcohol, as cited in the article, being exposed for a long time causes bad effects. Long-term health consequences of using marijuana include physical, psychological, and mental health problems. Despite this, almost half of the respondents of the study agreed that marijuana should be legal for medical and recreational purposes. With the results, college health professionals can use the data to give prevention and intervention measures for the increasing use of marijuana among college students and reducing its overall use.

The ongoing talk about the legalization of marijuana for its medical use thus needed to be pondered upon as it has good and bad sides. It was deemed beneficial not only to a person’s health but also to the economy and social aspects. However, it might also come with its negative effect which affects the physical, psychological, and mental health of the users especially when abused.

List of References

1. DrugFreeWorld.org. (n.d.). Marijuana Statistics. Retrieved November 8, 2019, from https://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/marijuana/international-statistics.html.
2. Hajizadeh, M. (2016, August 1). Legalizing and Regulating Marijuana in Canada: Review of Potential Economic, Social, and Health Impacts. Retrieved November 8, 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4968247/.
3. UNITED NATIONS. (2018). World drug report 2018 (set of 5 booklets). United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Sales No. E.18.XI.9. Retrieved from https://www.unodc.org/wdr2018/prelaunch/WDR18_Booklet_1_EXSUM.pdf
4. Vidourek, R., King, K., Merianos, A., Burbage, M., & Oluwoye, O. (2018). Marijuana use among college students and attitudes towards legalization. American Journal of Health Studies 33 (2) 99-106. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detail?vid=6&sid=ba73e5b7-8d2a-4d48-85fa-aeb5aa9adb7f%40pdc-v-sessmgr05&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=132016892&db=a9h

In April of this year, a poll was conducted by CBS News concerning cannabis legalization at the federal level; results stated that sixty-five percent of Americans favor nationwide legalization of cannabis (De Pinto). For the last century, the United States Federal Government has prohibited the use and possession of cannabis for any purpose, as stated by the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. One of the most controversial and heavily debated questions that can be asked, is if this is, in fact, still the best choice for the United States’ citizens, federal government, and the overall advancement of the country. The second prevalent question posed, asks what this presumably large amount of excise tax dollars could actually be funding for the United States: a question for which the answers are endless. Essentially, this inquires whether or not prohibition continues to be the right thing for the United States’ economy, given the various calculations and the abundance of research that is now available from states who have legalized the use of recreational cannabis. Another important component that should also be considered, regarding the economic influence of cannabis legalization, is the significant amount of employment opportunities that the industry could create. An additional way in which the country would reap benefits from legalization is through the money saved from the reduction in corrections, court costs, and incarcerations. Lastly, the demand for cannabis as it relates to medicinal use: improved cognitive function, lessened side effects for major clinical conditions, reduction in mental health disorder symptoms, and decreased use of conventional pharmaceuticals, are just a few of the impacts cannabis poses for the welfare of our nation (Gruber).

The very first law that was passed in the United States, dealing with cannabis, was put into effect in the year 1619. This bill required that all farmers grow hemp, because cannabis was such a hardy and sustainable crop, in a variety of climates (Livingston). With time came plenty more laws and amendments to laws, ultimately leading to prohibition of cannabis altogether. Since the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 was put into effect, there have been various adjustments made that altered the consequences of possessing marijuana, otherwise called decriminalization. The Obama administration also took part in these transitions, initially, “…by issuing a memo to federal prosecutors, encouraging them to refrain from prosecuting people who distribute medical marijuana in compliance with state laws (Palali).,” Subsequently, individual states acted to legalize obtaining the drug for medicinal purposes, although the regulations for that differed amongst each state, and they still do today. However, significant actions began to occur when the first two states, Colorado and Washington, legalized recreational marijuana use in the year 2012. After this statute ensued, a trend in recreational legalization took place all over the country: The District of Columbia, Alaska, and Oregon all legalized recreational use in the year 2014. Since then, a handful of other states have done the same, though many states have only revised their laws regarding medicinal use and decriminalization of cannabis. In 2018, President Trump signaled his support to pass legislation for allowing state marijuana laws to effectively supersede federal laws (Speights), but no official modifications have taken place. At this time, in total, about thirty-three states have elected to legalize marijuana use to some extent. Despite all of the legislative changes that have taken place on the state level in the last decade across the entire United States, federal amendments relevant to the matter seem to remain completely untouched.

The situation at hand remains evident, that the states in our country who have legalized marijuana use at a recreational level, have been generating millions of dollars in revenue since legalization, particularly in the form of excise tax and sales tax dollars. According to the Marijuana Policy Group, in the year 2015, only a few years post legalization, the marijuana excise tax revenues in Colorado were the second largest revenue source among excise products sold in the state (Light). Revenues from excise and sales tax in 2015 for marijuana sales specifically, came in at $121,202,211 (Light). From 2014 to 2015, the growth percentage for marijuana was at about ninety-one percent, which is nearly unheard of in tax revenues. The Marijuana Policy Group predicts, however, that this percentage will decrease to around twenty-three percent by the year 2020, as demand shift and demand growth begin to level off and equilibrium is found (Light). In comparison, revenue from excise taxes and sales taxes on alcoholic beverage purchases rendered about $43,027,741 in 2015. Tax revenue for alcoholic beverages are projected to bring in about $47,330,515 in the year 2020 (Light). The source that is dominant in generating revenue for the state of Colorado, as well as for many other states, are cigarettes. Cigarettes are Colorado’s leading revenue source in the excise and sales tax category, having about $60,000 more than marijuana revenue in 2015. However, the Marijuana Policy Group estimates that for the year 2020, marijuana revenue from excise and sales tax will present approximately $149,579,813, while cigarettes should produce about two million dollars less than that (Light). What makes this revenue dynamic plausible, is the way in which the demand shift and the demand growth (increase) are occurring, which is in part due to people continuously shifting from the “black and gray,” markets into the regulated, taxed retail markets (Light). Although the reduced percentage of growth seems drastic for that short of a time span, it is something that was predicted by experts and researchers.

The outcomes of sales, growth and consumption are all very different in each state, given that different regulations and laws apply per state individually. For example, California and Maine do not tax marijuana based on price, but instead by weight (Adams). The most concerning problem that has been witnessed in the last twelve months has to do with prices of cannabis plummeting in certain states that have legalized marijuana (Adams). Adams states that, “Some experts predicted this early on, predicting prices to drop by about fifty percent.” Turns out, in Colorado and in Oregon, prices have actually plummeted by about seventy percent (Adams).

“Because states generally set their marijuana tax rates as a percentage of price, their revenue per sale sinks in direct proportion to the fall in marijuana prices,” states a report by Keith Humphreys at the Washington Post (Adams).

Although there are many possible variables that could play into this decreasing-cost issue, the implementation of a price floor has potential to fix the problem. This decreasing-cost is not to be confused with price elasticity of demand, as the cheaper prices are not generating increased sales. Humphreys says a simple and effective way for states to actually retain this revenue is to tax the drug by weight, rather than by price (Adams). This may pose a threat, however, as producers may potentially implement strong potency in their product in order for it to weigh more, bringing in more money. Because of the infancy of the recreational cannabis industry, the business cycle has indeed shown extremes on both ends of the spectrum. In short, it is too early to be certain on one proven, effective approach for states to take on this issue.

The benefits that legalizing cannabis has potential to bring forth for the local, state, and federal economies are seemingly bountiful. The avenues taken to find the equilibrium of the supply and demand, as well as price level, need to be further investigated, perhaps even before nationwide legalization is to occur. That being said, if a federal legalization were to take place, it is expected to create billions of dollars in revenue. A study conducted by analytics company, New Frontier, suggests that legalization on a federal level has the potential to generate $130 billion in aggregate federal tax revenue by the year 2025 (Song). As previously stated, a majority of this revenue would be earned through excise and sales taxes. The second largest component to cultivating these funds, however, are through the creation of jobs that a legalized cannabis industry would call for. The Marijuana Policy Group configured data from the year 2015, the year after legalization passed in the state of Colorado, finding that about eighteen thousand jobs were created as a result of the recreational marijuana industry.

Harvard economist, Jeffrey Miron, researched government expenditures on law enforcement pertaining to marijuana, predicting that our government would save approximately $7.7 billion annually. Miron states that, “about forty-six percent of drug related prosecutions across the country are for marijuana possession (Hall).,” Additionally, the saved-costs that would be retained in response to this legalization would also be supplemented by costs from incarcerations, court costs, and law enforcement. Keeping nonviolent drug offenders in jail and prison should not be what these billions of dollars of funds are used for.

Medicinal cannabis use is by far the most widely accepted and tolerated involvement with the drug within our society today. According to a study done at Harvard Medical School, approximately eighty-five percent of Americans support legalization of medical marijuana. Thirty-three states have legalized medical marijuana, although specific regulations vary per state. There are plenty of undeniable reasons for which this should be legalized at the federal level, beginning with its utilization in the healthcare industry. The number one reason medical marijuana is prescribed today is for pain control. Chronic pain is typically a side effect of various muscle disorders, Parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, glaucoma, nausea, ulcers or kidney issues. Medical marijuana is an alternative pain relief for patients that cannot take non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like Advil or Aleve. Lastly, “Medical marijuana is a much healthier, far less addictive alternative to opioids,” states Peter Grinspoon of Harvard Medical School. In addition to the latter, medicinal cannabis use has been proven to decrease opioid consumption by around forty-two percent in all patients (Gruber), which is a very substantial percentage in specific areas of the country that are burdened with the modern opioid crisis. Generally speaking, legalization of cannabis for both medicinal and recreational use is in many circumstances a winning strategy for the government, and a much safer alternative to citizens purchasing marijuana on the black and gray markets.

To conclude, legalization of cannabis at the federal level would be accompanied by hundreds of billions of dollars in total revenue, from multiple different sources. Tax revenue, in the form of sales tax, excise tax, and income tax, would all become extremely significant in funding for the local, state, and federal tiers of our government. The increase in consumer spending within our local regions would not only produce more job opportunities, but it would also help to promote economic growth as a whole. It could be presumed that the opioid epidemic would drastically die off, which in turn would promote community welfare and growth. The suspected few billion dollars spent on law enforcement, incarceration, and court cases would now be utilized to assure the protection and security of all citizens to be equally distributed across the nation. Overall, the economics involved in cannabis legalization is comprised of pros that heavily outweigh the cons.

“Why is marijuana against the law? It grows naturally upon our planet. Doesn’t the idea of making nature against the law seem to you a bit … unnatural?” – Bill Hicks. Marijuana, according to the Cambridge Dictionary “is a drug, illegal in many countries, that is made from the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant”. Many people mistakenly use the terms decriminalization and legalization interchangeably however there are important distinctions between them. Decriminalization is a loosening of criminal penalties imposed for personal marijuana use even though the manufacturing and sale of the substance remain illegal. Legalization, on the other hand, is the lifting or abolishment of laws banning the possession and personal use of marijuana according to (Murse, 2019). The terms “weed” and “blunt” are two of the most stereotypical terms associated with marijuana worldwide. When thinking of these terms, they are commonly associated with negativity. What most people fail to realize is the benefits that can arise by legalizing marijuana because their minds are clouded by the stereotypes associated with the average ‘pot smoker’. Over the years, marijuana has been considered as a destructible herb that jeopardizes the lives of many and is perceived to be nothing more than an additional issue to be resolved in today’s society. However, based on the breakthroughs in the medical field that marijuana can generate and the economic values associated with marijuana, the legalization of marijuana will in fact, result in more good than harm. The legalization of marijuana will eventually result in more good than harm because it has been proven to have medical benefits that can generate a breakthrough in the Health Care System and it has also been proven to have the potential to create economic growth through a thriving industry that can create jobs.

The legalization of marijuana will eventually result in more good than harm because it has been proven to have medical benefits that can generate a breakthrough in the Health Care System. Do you suffer from pain, migraines, eating disorders or other sicknesses? If so, you may want to consider marijuana as a treatment. Because the marijuana plant contains chemicals, that may help treat a range of illnesses and symptoms, many people argue that it should be legal for medical purposes. In fact, a growing number of states have legalized marijuana for medical use. When people hear the word marijuana, they think of drugs, addicts, and ruined lives. However, marijuana has its buried good side. According to Railton (2018), “A large review from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine assessed more than 10,000 scientific studies on the medical benefits and adverse effects of marijuana and found that marijuana, or products containing cannabinoids — which are the active ingredients in marijuana, or other compounds that act on the same receptors in the brain as marijuana — are effective at relieving chronic pain”. I cannot imagine how dreadful it must be to experience persistent, perpetual, permanent pain, but marijuana can help to relieve the discomfort. “In June 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of a medication containing cannabidiol (CBD) to treat two rare, severe, and specific types of epilepsy — called Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome — that are difficult to control with other types of medication” (Railton, 2018). Another positive effect that might come out of the legalization of marijuana is the decrease of opiate consumption and prescriptions. The problem with opioid painkillers is that they can cause addiction, and although they are extremely effective in alleviating pain, there have been cases of death due to overdose. The usage of marijuana as a painkiller could fix this situation—at least partially; according to an APHA study. “A study published in the American Public Health Association just this past week found that since Colorado has legalized recreational cannabis, the percentage of opioid- related deaths has declined by 6.5% which halted a 14-year trend of an increasing number of opioid-related deaths in the state”.(Williams, 2017). Similarly, although not legalized in Jamaica, the legalization of marijuana will also eventually do more good than harm; one can imagine the wonders that this drug can possible do once legalized. Therefore based on the evidence presented above, one can perceive that the legalization of marijuana will eventually result in more good than harm as it relates to Health Care.

The legalization of marijuana will eventually result in more good than harm because it has been proven to have the potential to create economic growth through a thriving industry that can create jobs. There are many economic benefits to the legalization of marijuana. The economic benefits that producers and consumers would receive are numerous, the jobs creation that could be generated and the tax revenue that could be collected would make the government a main benefactor. According to (Cox, 2019), “The marijuana industry added 64,389 jobs in 2018, a 44 percent gain, according to industry experts Leafly and Whitney Economics”. Not only does the legalization of marijuana aid in job creation, it also contribute vastly in the tourism industry which inevitable will eventually create economic growth. “In 2015, 85% of the 8% who visited a dispensary cited legal marijuana as the driving force behind their vacation which implies that at least some of the improved economic impact being witnessed in Colorado is the result of legal marijuana”(Williams, 2015). In addition, the tax revenue that can be generated from marijuana if or when it becomes legalized can be utilized to fund humanitarian projects for those that are poverty stricken or underprivileged. For example, according to (Chung, Ajilore & Perez 2019) “In Washington state, marijuana sales surpassed $1 billion in FY 2017, the state collected $314.8 million in excise tax revenue and the revenue was primarily used to fund Medicaid which secured health insurance for many low-income Washington residents”. Similarly, although not legalized in Jamaica, the legalization of marijuana will also eventually do more good than harm as Jamaica’s location, makes a marijuana industry a lucrative choice for the Government of Jamaica to gain economic growth. One can imagine the wonders that this drug can possible do once legalized. Therefore based on the evidence presented above, one can perceive that the legalization of marijuana will eventually result in more good than harm as it relates to economic growth.

Viewed from a different perspective, there are some individuals who believe |argue that the legalization of marijuana will be more harm than good as it is addictive and its legalization will increase the usage among people as it will be readily available. These claims are respectively supported by (Stimson 2012) who states that “Marijuana is an addictive, gateway drug” and (Barbradozier 2014) who states that “there is a high chance that the legalization of marijuana is likely to increase its usage among people as it will be readily available”.

While these claims may be true, the opposing view that the legalizing of marijuana will result in more harm than good because it is addictive and its legalization will increase the usage among people as it will be readily available is simplistic and impractical for many reasons. Marijuana opponents claim marijuana should be illegal because it is a perceived gateway drug to other narcotics and its usage will increase as a result of the drug being more readily available. While this is an enthralling argument, it is no reason for marijuana to be illegal. First of all, is marijuana even a gate way drug? A ‘gateway’ drug according to the Cambridge English Dictionary is defined as “a drug whose use may make it more likely that someone uses other, more dangerous”. Based on research, according to (Szalavitz, 2019) “there is no conclusive evidence that the drug effects of marijuana are causally linked to the subsequent abuse of other illicit drugs”. A more logical approach to conclude whether marijuana is a gateway drug is to study the evolution of a marijuana consumer’s drug use. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA,2019), “the majority of people who use marijuana do not go on to use other, ‘harder’ substances”. While it may be true that the legalization of marijuana will allow for it to be more readily available it will result in more good than harm because it would help to minimize the amount of children who purchase drugs illegally from ‘street drug dealers’. For example, according to the article ‘Does marijuana legalization lead to increased use? (n.d.)’, “When it comes to use by young people, several recent reports according to experts have found that in the majority of states that have approved medical marijuana, use among teenagers has actually decreased which is due to a diminished “forbidden fruit” effect and decreased access to marijuana as it moves from the unregulated streets – where there are no age requirements – to inside licensed dispensaries, where you need to be 21 to purchase marijuana. Therefore one can now determine that the opposing view that the legalizing of marijuana will result in more harm than good is simplistic and impractical for the reasons stated.

In conclusion, it is indisputably vivid that there are various arguments for whether or not the legalization of marijuana will result in more good than harm however the arguments supporting the claim that the legalization of marijuana will eventually result in more good than harm clearly outweigh the counter arguments. As stated earlier the legalization of marijuana will eventually result in more good than harm because it has been proven to have medical benefits that can generate a breakthrough in the Health Care System and has also been proven to have the potential to create economic growth through a thriving industry that can create jobs. These factors could make us stronger as a nation together. In close, I will leave you with this quote from Pops O’Donnell, “A friend with weed is a friend indeed”.

Marijuana- also called weed, pot, grass, bud, ganja, Mary Jane and a whole host of other names in slang, is a greenish-gray mixture of a dried form of the flowers from the Cannabis sativa plant. It contains compounds that alter the mind which include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). It is one of the most abused drugs in the world. It also contains over 400 other chemicals that cause the ‘high” in users. THC is the chemical that causes a mind-altering state that classifies marijuana as a “drug”. The CBD part of it is the reason it is the most associated with creating the medical benefit. Ways marijuana can be used are as a joint (cigarette) or in a dry pipe or in a water pipe such as a “bong”. It can also be mixed into food and brewed as a tea.

Effects of Marijuana

When people use marijuana, they usually feel the effects of the smoke, when it is inhaled, within minutes. The heart rate goes up, balance and coordination are altered. They are in a “dreamy” state of mind. These effects will usually increase within the first 30 minutes of use. Some short-term effects usually wear off within two to three hours, but depending on the person, it could last longer. It also depends on how much is used, the potency of the THC and other drugs that a person may have introduced into the mix of the joint, pipe or bong.

Medically, this causes a very severe impact on the lungs. Some other symptoms may include, sore throat and chest colds. One. joint is equal to as much cancer producing chemicals as four to five cigarettes. The mental part of the marijuana is just as severe. People who use will usually have poor memory and mental aptitude than people who do not use the drug. They also have found that in young adults, those who are using have abnormalities in the brain that are related to emotion, motivation and making decisions. It will also affect every major organ in the body.

Who Uses Marijuana Regularly

Marijuana is the most used illicit drug according to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. It is used by more men than women. Its use is among adolescents and young adults. According to the annual survey conducted by the Monitoring the Future which is a survey conducted annually of drug use, and the attitudes among the Nation’s middle and high school students. It is used by 8th, 10th and 12th graders in the middle to late 1990’s and then began a period of gradual decline through the mid 2000’s before it leveled off. According to an article done by ABC News by Dr. Kelly Apps on April 13, 2018, 10,000 workers were surveyed. 14.6% answered yes to the question asked, “Did you use marijuana or hashish in the last 30 days?” Use was more common in males and among young people. Nearly 30% of those in the 18 to 25-year-old range reported at least one use in the last 30 days. The professions that use marijuana included food preparation and serving, arts, design, entertainment, sports and media.

Why is Marijuana Controversial?

Marijuana is controversial because it is deep rooted in America’s history and it is also affecting everyday life in the U.S. The policy of marijuana affects Americans economically and health-wise. The government must also deal with the other areas that are influenced by this drug such as legislation and regulation. American policy which was at first very lenient and was encouraged for being distributed and produced, is the total opposite of today’s thinking and policies. For example, how can the policy of medical marijuana switch from being a vital part of American agriculture, to now being totally outlawed throughout our country? Concerns remain about its use, particularly for recreational reasons. This also includes its effect on health and its potential to open doors to other drug use in the future.

Pros and Cons of Marijuana Use

The following examples of the pros to marijuana use include the following: the legalization of marijuana for medical reasons was viewed as favorable by Americans which included members of the medical community and Congress.

Some other reasons were that marijuana is effective on relieving nausea and vomiting which was caused by chemotherapy to treat cancer. It can relive spastic muscles that is associated with MS (Multiple Sclerosis). Another pro was that it can treat appetite loss which was associated with HIV/Aids and certain types of cancers. It can help with neuropathy and pain management. Lastly, it doesn’t have to be smoked to be medically beneficial and it has been used for centuries without incident as a medicinal agent.

The following examples for the cons to marijuana use included: frequent use could seriously affect short-term memory, impair cognitive skills or abilities, can damage lung tissue, contains cancer-causing compounds and/or chemicals, carries a risk of abuse and addiction, it has been named as a high percentage of automobile crashes and workplace accidents. Marijuana is illegal under federal law. It is classified as a Schedule I drug in the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Because of this classification, it states that it has no medicinal value which is accepted currently.

My Opinion

In my opinion, marijuana can be a useful drug and should be more available to the public because it has been proven to help with many disorders. For example, depression, bi-polar disorder, anxiety and various other diseases and disorders. I also feel that it should be treated like alcohol, where you can use it or consume it, if you are within the legal limit of the law. Once you fail the legal limit, then you can be charged accordingly to stop people from abusing it.

Marijuana becomes the major topic of debate these days but I only choose its uses and effects for the research essay. Its demand is raised day by day over the past few years.

Marijuana also known as Cannabis. It is a medicinal drug which is commonly used among the young people. It is made from dried leaves, flowers and stems of cannabis and mostly affected by smoking but there are also some other ways to take marijuana like in pipes and bongs etc. Marijuana is mostly legal in many cities in Canada as a medicinal drug.

According to me marijuana is good for people because of its effects but some people argue that it has just bad effects on human being. So in the subsequent paragraphs I will describe its pros and cons.

33% of people who are under the age of 12 are more affected by marijuana. Because they consume marijuana on a daily basis, which put worse effect on their health. Majority of the people misuse this drug for different purposes. It is aт illicit drug which contain THC and other chemicals, which act as a mid alternating chemicals. Marijuana is widespread all over the world but in some nation it is illegal. It can be dangerous for people but it only depend upon human who takes it.

Marijuana helps in loosing the body weight and to save from the diabetes. Moreover, it greatly deals against the cancer and helps to reduce the risk of cancer by giving therapies. In these days, depression is more common among the people so mostly people love to take marijuana to reduce their stress level and finding a best way to relax their mind. If person is suffering from muscle and joint pain cannabis cream gives relief from the pain. If person is suffering from evil dreams, this drug is best way to avoid the bad dreams.

There are also other benefits of marijuana like economic benefits such as in the production of marijuana people get jobs and there are also some shops in which government legally sell the cannabis products. The crime rate is less on those countries in which marijuana is commonly used because this drug acts as relaxation medicine for the people.

The habit of marijuana is a concern issue especially among the youth so there are numerous demerits of cannabis. Some use it for daily purposes, some use it normally as medicine but the main problem is addiction. The person who uses marijuana for short time period facing short – term memory difficulties in learning or understanding, enhance the risk of injuries while driving and have effect on behaviour. For instance, it has been seen that people who take marijuana on daily basis they become introvert because of their addiction. They get mood swings like sometimes they feel frustrated and irritated.

Marijuana smoke contains 15 to 17 additional cancer-causing substances than tobacco smoke. One major analysis study reported that one cannabis joint might cause the maximum amount harm to the lungs as up to 5 regular cigarettes smoke-cured one when another. Long-time joint smokers usually suffer from respiratory disease, AN inflammation of the tract.

The drug will have an effect on quite physical health. Studies in Australia linked years of heavy marijuana use to brain abnormalities. This is backed up by earlier research on the long-term effects of marijuana, which indicate changes in the brain similar to those caused by long-term abuse of other major drugs. And a number of studies have shown a connection between continued marijuana use and psychosis.

Marijuana can change the structure of sperm cells, deforming them. Thus even small amounts of marijuana can cause temporary sterility in men. Marijuana use can also disrupt a woman’s menstrual cycle. Studies show that the mental functions of people who have smoked a lot of marijuana tend to be diminished THC level.

Cannabis is one in all the few medicine that causes abnormal cellular division, that ends up in severe hereditary defects. A pregnant girl UN agency often smokes marijuana or soft drug could provide birth untimely to AN small, scraggy baby. Over the last ten years several youngsters of marijuana users are born with reduced initiative and lessened talents to concentrate and pursue life goals. 31 Studies conjointly counsel that ante partum (before birth) use of the drug could end in birth defects, mental abnormalities and augmented risk of leukaemia (cancer of the bone marrow) in youngsters.

Long-time or high dose directly effect on person’s education. Teenagers who are addicted mostly leave the school because of learning problem. In addition to it, people also get life-long chronic diseases like lung-cancer etc. As a result, people do not get satisfied with their life and have lack of confidence through which they do not take decision quickly and also affects on their IQ level.

At last, marijuana has effect on both physically and mentally like it increases the heartbeat. Also, after three hours of taking marijuana it also creates some breathing problems. Marijuana increases the thoughts of suicide mostly among the teenagers.

9% of people take marijuana just for fun and after that they become addicted. Marijuana has both merits and demerits, so it will depend upon the person how they use it like some take it for relaxation and some are addicted. I conclude that it is excessive use can harm person if people use it in limit then they save themselves from its addiction.

The legalization of marijuana has been a controversial topic in the United States for many years, regardless of the other surrounding countries who have legalized it. As of today, all states, except 17 of them, have legalized marijuana in at least one way, medical or recreational. Marijuana should be legalized because it would benefit us and provide solutions to many problems that exist in today’s society.

During the first four years of Colorado’s legal recreational sales, the tax revenues jumped 266 percent. They started from 67 million dollars in 2014 and climbed clear up to 247.7 million dollars in 2017. Colorado’s tax revenues have continued to increase each year since recreational legalization. People who use marijuana are going to use marijuana, regardless. So it only makes sense to gain some revenue off of it, rather than letting dealers make money tax-free.

Colorado’s marijuana taxes are spent in areas that, if invested in the same ones here, would benefit our society greatly. Some examples of areas would be public school projects, public affairs, human services, agriculture, judicial affairs, labor, and employment, or even health care policy. Just because Colorado chooses these areas doesn’t mean we would have to do every single one of those, as well. For example, if Kansas were to legalize marijuana, we could invest it in the areas that our state lacks the most. In Kansas, most would agree that our public schools are not receiving adequate funding. Our state’s budget may be a little tight, but education is essential. By legalizing marijuana, we can use the tax revenues to our advantage and better our school system.

Even if you are not a recreational cannabis supporter, you can not deny the fact that it has been scientifically proven to be beneficial to those who suffer from certain medical conditions. As cannabis is not necessarily a cure for the said conditions, it is a cure for the symptoms of the conditions and allows some of those who are affected by them to live better quality of lives. One of the most common conditions that cannabis is prescribed for is multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis affects about 400,000 people in the United States. For those who do not know, multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. With this disease comes chronic pain, mobility issues, and vision problems. Research published in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal found that cannabis-based medicinal extracts can significantly reduce the severity of these symptoms and pain associated with multiple sclerosis while having few adverse effects on patients.

Another frequent medical condition cannabis is prescribed for is HIV/AIDS. While the treatments for HIV/AIDS have come a long way in allowing those affected to live long and healthy lives, the side effects of their treatments can be challenging to deal with. Several studies have shown that medical cannabis can improve many HIV/AIDS-related symptoms, such as severe nausea, anorexia, weight loss, and more. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management found that: 97 percent of HIV patients reported improved appetite with medical cannabis treatment, 94 percent experienced reduced muscle pain, and 93 percent reported improvements to both nausea and anxiety. With this being said, the 1.1 million people living in the United States who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS could have a better quality of life after treatment with legal access to cannabis.

HIV/AIDS is not the only high fatality medical condition that cannabis helps, but cancer is one as well. Although cannabis does not cure cancer, it can drastically reduce the severity of the symptoms and nausea that comes with cancer, and the treatment of chemotherapy. For someone who is especially battling a more severe stage of cancer, cannabis use can also improve the quality of their end of life care and could make their final days a little easier and less painful to go through (according to whom?). The last condition that I will mention that benefits from cannabis are epilepsy. Cannabis-based medicines and CBD-dominant products, in particular, have been proven to be very effective at reducing the frequency and severity of epileptic seizures.

WJust by taking these four particular conditions into account, with 400,000 people affected by multiple sclerosis, 1.1 million people affected by HIV/AIDS, 1.8 million people a year affected by cancer, and finally 3.4 million people affected by epilepsy in the United States, this totalstotaling up to about 6.7 million people that could benefit from marijuana. This means that just from the four common conditions I listed, the legalization of medical marijuana could benefit 6.7 million people’s lives (repetitive). Not only are the victims and survivors of these conditions benefitting, but every family member of those affected with those conditions are, as well as our nation as a whole financially. As if they did not make enough already, legalizing marijuana as a pharmaceutical drug would bring all that much more revenue into our pharmacies and healthcare. After all, it is a drug, and it can be treated just like many other drugs that our industry prices ridiculously high to receive absurd amounts of profits that a typical American can not afford, but thankfully, our insurances can. Perhaps an idea could be to specifically make medical marijuana revenues benefit and go to research for the conditions receiving the marijuana in the first place.

One thing that is mind-boggling to me is that we as a nation can legalize a substance like alcohol: that has no medical benefits by consuming it, and that causes more fatalities than marijuana ever will, but we can not legalize marijuana even as a medicine that would benefit millions. Alcohol is legal across the United States to anyone who is above the age of 21. When Which even when used after that age, is used irresponsibly it, and is to blame for one American life being lost every 20 minutes due to alcohol-related auto crashes. Every year 708,000 people are injured in alcohol-related crashes, but marijuana use has not been proven to cause auto crashes, according to a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Admission in Virginia.

Although a possible side effect of marijuana is altered motor skills, that is a common side effect of other legal substances, such as alcohol and, as well as other prescription drugs. Marijuana does have the potential to have harmful effects on the body. Just as heavy use of alcohol, meth, and heroin, it use can cause irreversible brain damage. P, prolonged marijuana abuse can affect the brain’s ability to convey messages. The results of abusing marijuana can be poor memory and trouble concentrating. Although there is not as much research on the effects of marijuana when it is started as adults as there are kids, they do know that when used regularly as an adolescent, they typically grow up to have lower IQs. The amount of brain cells killed off by marijuana has been found to depend upon the amount a person has smoked and their age ofs use. The effects of marijuana on the brain mostly affect individuals under 25, as their brains are still developing. So how do you counter that critical fact??

Writing this essay as someone who has never smoked and as someone who used to have a completely different view on marijuana use until being adequately educated on it, after realizing that my old stance on this topic was construed off of misconceived ideas. Overall, I believe there are too many benefits that outweigh the risks of marijuana use. If used responsibly, especially for medical purposes, it can benefit and change lives for the better. People do things with risks every day, and sometimes the things they do, do not even contain any benefits. If something has been proven to benefit those in need of relief from certain conditions, why should we keep it out of their reach? After all, if you knew the chance existed for you to have a better or easier life after being affected by a medical condition, would you not want to be able to decide for yourself if you should be allowed to take the “risk”? You may not be affected by something that cannabis can help you get through or live with now, but someday you may be. Therefore, marijuana should be legalized because it would benefit us and provide solutions to many problems that exist in today’s society.

Many people say that marijuana is harmful in many ways, including damage to the reproductive system, brain damage, and weakening of the immune system. I believe that research to support anything can be found if one is looking hard enough, but that the fallacy is due to others research seeking facts to support an assumed conclusion. Based on my research and my own personal knowledge, I have found that some points such as the physical harms of marijuana, marijuana gives users a ‘gateway’ to harder or more illicit drug use, and properties of marijuana have shown not to be physically addictive do not reach the same conclusion.

One of the strongest supporting claims is of the physical harms of marijuana. It is argued that through an example, Heath’s tests of the monkey’s brain seemed to show conclusive evidence of brain damage; however, it fails to mention that the tests were later invalid and the monkeys were given super high doses. These doses were incredibly higher than that of the average recreational or medical marijuana user, plus the test’s group was too small. More current studies of people who are heavy marijuana smokers show no evidence of brain damage. The American Medical Association has officially endorsed the decriminalization of marijuana. I find this to be quite a bit more important than an old executed test. Claims of damage to both the reproductive system and the immune system are again based on poor experiments of close to lethal doses given to other smaller animals, not humans. Overall, several studies of the effects of marijuana on the human reproductive and immune systems have failed to demonstrate poor effects on humans.

One of the longest standing arguments against the use of marijuana is that it gives users a ‘gateway’ to harder or more illicit drug use. It is stated that ‘Marijuana is the seed from which the scourge of drug abuse grows. If we stop the marijuana, we will stop the rest of drug abuse.” Off the jump, the simple fact that many heroin and cocaine users used marijuana first does not say this is the result of the first. Correlation does not necessarily mean causality. The argument against marijuana alone became peculiar as most of these heroin and cocaine abusers had also previously used alcohol and tobacco. According to government surveys, an estimate of eighty million American have tried marijuana in their life, and twenty million admit to using it recently. If marijuana was actually a gateway drug, we would see a higher percentage of regular users. Instead we are seeing a much lower percentage of abusers of cocaine and/or heroin. It is seen that most people who use marijuana most often quit on their own before the age of thirty-four. Marijuana has been partially decriminalized since the 1970’s in Holland. Reports show that the use of cocaine and heroin has significantly decreased, thus contradicting the hypothesis of marijuana as a gateway drug. Instead, these statistics appear to point to the conclusion that marijuana is more likely a substitute for harder drugs rather than a launching pad.

While I do feel that others have failed to present conclusive evidence of the harmfulness of marijuana through the points made, it is not proper to make a statement and claim that marijuana is ‘harmless’ either. The properties of marijuana have shown not to be physically addictive as one can become psychologically addicted. However, this is true of just about anything that can give one pleasure, such as chocolate, sex, or shopping. No substance will be safe for everybody when used in extreme amounts. For example, certain medications you can go out and buy can be deadly for those who are allergic or who overdose. On the flip side, marijuana overdose has never been the main reported cause of death. It is stated that amount of cannabinoids required to have a lethal effect are more than 40,000 times the necessary dosage for intoxication, making it highly unlikely that a person would be able to or could be able to achieve such a concentrated amount in their bloodstream. This is a severe difference to alcohol, where one can very easily bring about one’s demise, and at only four to five times the legal limit.

Marijuana continues to be a huge controversial issue in society today, as many specific states included decriminalization and legalization proposals on their ballots recently. It can be very difficult to know which side to support, partially due to the media, some of which even contradicts itself through all the bias. This is likely the result of many big, rich organizations that have a financial interest in this issue. It stems from the pharmaceutical companies who stand to lose profits from legalization to the governments who stands to gain from taxation. All in all, it seems that those with an interest in the legalization or continued criminalization of marijuana will pull whatever strings necessary to sway public opinion to their side. This may result in an all out battle in Congress one day, unfortunately causing them to miss out on dealing with more important issues.

“Cause a time fi legalize it, roll it up and light it, ignite it.” These are lyrics of a popular dancehall song by Movado which speaks to the legalization of the marijuana plant. Marijuana is a drug which comes from the leaves, flower and bud of a hemp plant which is used for recreational and medical purposes. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the two popular compounds of marijuana. It is believed to have been curing medical conditions for centuries now. Marijuana will do more good than harm if legalized as it would contribute to the development of the economy and help with medical condition.

The legalization of marijuana will do more good than harm as it will improve the development of the economy. According to Levy the legalization of marijuana will increase the amount of tourist coming to the country. Even though tourist are currently coming to smoke the plant when they are aware that it is legalized they will come more frequently and more tourist will come to get the experience and not fearing being penalized by the law. Soon enough there would be tourist like sand on the sea. Also legalization of the plant opens it to full taxation and regulation which provides financial rewards. With the implementation of trade barriers such as tariffs it will heighten the price of marijuana which will benefit the tourist will purchase it because of the quality and brand. The legalization of marijuana will not only benefit the tourist but also locals as it will create jobs for them (Gordon). Jobs will be provided from farmers who cultivate the crop to factory workers who will export it. All these benefits come together to strengthen and grow the economy.

The legalization of marijuana will do more good than harm as it will contribute to several medical conditions. Even though marijuana is currently used in the medical field the legalization of it will allow it to be more adoptable as people will be more knowledgeable about its benefits. Can you imagine what a game changer this would be? According to Grinspoon in the medical field marijuana is popularly used for pain control. It soothes chronic pain and is less likely to become addictive and impossible to overdose. Along with relieving pain marijuana was used to make eye drop which prevents and treats glaucoma (Pain). Canasol the marijuana eye drop was made in Jamaica and is popularly used in other countries as is treating and preventing blindness. Another tremendous contribution of marijuana to the health sector is the curing of cancer. Research has shown that marijuana has two active compounds which are anti-tremor hence they target only cancerous cells (Anonymous). THC and CBD are the two active compounds when combined they work aggressively on cancer cells and this cures it. Once again while curing cancer it is relieving pain. Without a doubt the legalization of marijuana will help certain medical conditions.

Despite all the good marijuana will do, some have argues that the legalization of marijuana will do more harm than good as it will lead to psychiatric disorders and criminal activities. According to Campbell smoked marijuana damages the brain. Excessive amount of marijuana consumed can damage the brain by causing changes in size, shape, density and volume. This will eventually cause psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and memory loss. It is also said that it will lead to criminal activities. Campbell also posits that Jamaica is said to be the largest supplier of illicit marijuana. Jamaica’s marijuana is popular around the world and is being traded. The legalization of marijuana will open a trading organization however, some individuals would still do their own illegal trading to get benefits. There is always that one bad apple. There is a current “ganja for gun” trade between Jamaica and Haiti and this could get worst when marijuana is legalized. ….

Even though some may argue that the legalization of marijuana can eventually lead to more harm than good as it will relief some mental disorder and create trading organization. Marijuana may affect the brain however it helps with depression. Miles stated that marijuana reduces the symptoms of depression. The body is made up of receptors and tissues. The endocannabinoid receptors are responsible for cognitive functions. Sometimes these receptors malfunction due to changes in the body. Marijuana contains cannabinoids and this makes its own endocannabinoid receptors when consumed and this helps to recover the receptors which help with depression. The legalization of the plant will also create a trading organization. Jackson states that Jamaican marijuana has a large market across the world. This would create an opportunity to have a trading bond between first world countries. There is a high demand for marijuana oil and when produced it would once again create jobs and increase foreign exchange. Therefore the legalization of marijuana will be beneficial to the body as well as the economy.

The legalization of marijuana has been a hot topic for centuries. When legalized it will do more good than harm as it will do will help with the evolution and growth of the economy and also bring a positive change to the healthcare system.

The great Robert Nesta Marley (n.d.) stated that “Herb is the healing of a nation; alcohol is the destruction of mankind”. In February 2015, the Jamaican government and lawmakers passed an act to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. The terms decriminalization and legalization are often confused. The Oxford dictionary defines decriminalization as the removal of criminal penalties, whereas legalization is the action to allow anything previously unlawful permitted by law. California formally became the first state to legalize medical marijuana for use by patients with chronic conditions through the Compassionate Use Act of 1996. The legalization of marijuana will cause more good than harm because it would trigger growth in the local economy and it can contribute to the health sector; though some may argue that if marijuana is legalized, it would increase crime and violence.

The legalization of marijuana will cause more good than harm because it would trigger growth in the local economy and make the demands for the international market. A study carried out by Krishan (2019) stated that the legalization of marijuana in Colorado allowed them to accumulate greater than $135 million in tax return and prices in both medical and recreational markets; legalization of marijuana would mean a great push for the state’s economy and ‘big bucks’ for the federal and state governments. Marijuana was also legalized in the state of Washington where sales increased by an impressive average of 69% for the first 3 months and created years of employment growth (Belville,2017). According to job seekers from ZipRecruiter, the number of job vacancies in the marijuana industry in Washington rose by 445% in 2017. The business has created job opportunities across the board and is evolving by creating several job positions that had never existed prior to the legalization of marijuana. In addition, compared to similar areas in states where cannabis is not legal, Pueblo County, Colorado, is doing well on several measures; a taxed and controlled cannabis industry has added more than $58 million to the local economy because of marijuana legalization. (Zhang, 2018). Researchers from the Colorado State University-Pueblo’s Institute of Cannabis found that legalizing marijuana had a positive impact on the economy, the county accumulated a positive net income of over $35 million. Subsequently, Epican a Jamaican-based marijuana industry has risen after the decriminalization act was announced. This industry not only created jobs but is also bringing in revenue. Forecasts are that the market will become a 50 million US Dollar sector by 2029 which is a great projection for the Epican and Jamaica on a hold.

Furthermore, the legalization of marijuana would also help the health sectors by providing medication for certain illnesses. Research by Kevin Hill (2015), a substance Abuse Consultant, stated that as of March 2015, the District of Columbia had medical marijuana laws in place. Medical marijuana was used to treat a host of illnesses in Columbia after legalization, such as chronic and neuropathic pain, and spasticity for multiple sclerosis. Also, study showed that 40% of children with an uncommon disorder which causes prolonged seizures was reduced by about 50% after being introduced to cannabinol (Aggie, 2017). Cannabidiol is a compound derived from marijuana which helps to decrease the seizures in children with epileptic disorder. According to the report of 10,000 scientific abstracts, there was evidence that chronic pain, nausea, and vomiting were improved because of cannabis treatment (Malcom, 2019).

However, some may argue that the legalization of marijuana will cause more harm than good because it would increase crime and violence. According to the Loop News (April 2018) a Jamaican based news industry, reported that one of the four men found dead from St. Elizabeth Jamaica, after reportedly being missing from April 15-16 was involved in the drug for gun trade with Haiti. Moreover, according to National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang (August 2019), Jamaica is literally under the guns with some 200 illegal firearms entering the country monthly. These monthly importations of guns were directly linked with the drug for gun trade. Subsequently, having marijuana legalized would increase these elicit acts in the Caribbean and partner countries.

Although individuals have argued that the legalization of marijuana will cause more harm than good, Becker (2014) stated that the legalization of recreational marijuana in Washington reduced crimes in 2013-2014. The legalization of marijuana has helped to reduced rapes between 15–30% and theft by 10-20% in Washington. In addition, the legalization of medical marijuana has led to crime reduction in states that border Mexico (Doward, 2018). The research showed that after marijuana was legalized crimes mostly affected were robbery, which fell by 19% and murder, which reduced by 10% and homicides related to the drug trade fell by a shocking 41%.

In conclusion, as stated herb is the healing of a nation; Jamaica is well known for its ‘weed’ across the seas and if legalized would be of great significance to the Jamaican economy and health sectors just as Colorado and Washington if proper strategies are put in place we should also see a reduction in crime. The government also needs to pay urgent attention as it relates to what they need to legalize and what should be illegal; alcohol as a prime example, is said to be bad for the liver right? But it’s still a legal product with restrictions. How much is alcohol really doing for Jamaica’s economy?