Category: Cannabis/Medical Marijuana

Marijuana is a plant that has been around for a very long time. Popularized in the 70s and legalized in the 2000s, there is still a lot to address around the drug. Though the drug was popularized in the 70’s the drug had been around for a long time. People realized that there are very outstanding medical benefits to the use of the plant. However, with it being a ‘drug’ and a controlled substance there is a lot of taboo and controversy surrounding the product. This paper will address the past, present, and possible future of the drug.

History of Marijuana

The marijuana plant is one of the oldest cultivated plants. There are many negatives and positives in history associated with the use of marijuana. The earliest records of marijuana use date to the 6th century B.C. There is evidence suggesting use from all over the world. For example, Europe, East Asia, Ireland, and Africa. In the 19th century practitioners gave medicinal properties to marijuana after it was found in Europe. This was during the colonial expansion period. It was an Irish doctor named William B. O’Shaughnessy who first introduced marijuana to Western Medicine. A French doctor named Jean-Jacques Moreau de Tours was experimenting with marijuana at the same time. Medical marijuana has clearly been around for many generations. From country to country, these stories and fables told the beneficial effects this plant had on people across the globe. To treat the same conditions now as back then. From physical pain to mental health disorders, and has even been a part of experiments. In 1851 marijuana was added to the 3rd edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the United States (USP). The Pharmacopoeia of the United States is a non-profit organization responsible for testing products. The products tested by them are medicines, food ingredients, and dietary supplements. The USP then gave details of how dried marijuana flowers can be used. As many people would concerns started to grow about marijuana this then resulted in many states outlawing it. To this day there are still states with a firm law on marijuana, but others have come around to the idea of legalizing medical marijuana. Or in other completely legalizing the flower with the same age limit as alcohol. In 1937 with the Marijuana Tax Act, the American and growing concern the Medical Association removed marijuana from the 12th edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the United States.

Medical Marijuana is Helpful

The marijuana plant has been used for thousands of years. There are many different things inside the marijuana plant. For example, cannabinoids, terpenes, and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). What are these exactly and how do they affect you? Terpenes are common in plants the compound which gives them a fragrance. Cannabinoids are the main biological active particle in marijuana. THC is the chemical responsible for most of the psychological effects. The most commonly known are THC and Cannabinoids. The strength and speed of marijuana are based on the route the person takes to administer it inside the body. For example, the brain. The THC is then distributed to the fatty tissues of the body, which then starts to take effect. Medical marijuana has evidence to help with symptomatic treatment. For example, Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, loss of appetite, and epilepsy. Marijuana is also used to treat some forms of cancer. It is used for treating patients with glaucoma, Huntington’s Disease, and dystonia. Medical marijuana can help with other medical conditions such as cerebral palsy. For these patients, it helps with joint pain and calms the spasms of the nerves in the joints. This then allows the patients to continue with everyday tasks. Although there are some side effects of medical marijuana such as psychosis and anxiety. There is also not enough evidence to prove the efficacy of medical marijuana in helping with cancer treatments. There is evidence from many other researchers proving its helpfulness with medical disorders, mental health disorders, etc. Without the legalization of medical marijuana, these patients would then be described many different types of medication, all to treat their pain. Instead of several types of medication doctors can prescribe medical marijuana to help ease their pain.

Medical Marijuana vs. THC

According to Klumpers and Thacker (2019), the research we have shown that marijuana positively affects many of the common disorders we have today. Things as simple as nausea and pain decrease with the use of medicinal marijuana. Unfortunately, with the policies in place in many states this limits the research we can do. Medicinal marijuana is legal in 33 states here in the U.S. Although the plant is illegal scientists have created a synthetic form of marijuana. This oral supplement or liquid substance is used for most cancer patients. This drug is administered to patients who are currently taking chemo drugs. There are currently only three pharmaceutical drugs that have synthetic THC in them and are closely regulated by the F.D.A. (The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, 2017).

Medical Marijuana to Treat Children

When using marijuana to treat child illnesses, it has a better effect compared to other ‘hard’ drugs. In the article, I found there was a child who had a rare form of epilepsy. Before the family treated him with marijuana, they had tried therapy, acupuncture, and various forms of medication. The only thing that helped his epilepsy and had a comforting effect was medical marijuana. (Rollins, 2014) With the treatment of kids using Marijuana, there are many different views on the ethics of treatment. Personally, I’d say that if the patient, no matter what age, is comfortable and consents to treatment using Marijuana and it has a positive effect on the illness; keep using the marijuana. In a survey taken in 2013, out of 1,000 people interviewed 85% believed that medical marijuana should be prescribed to adults. Unfortunately, at the time this document was written, there was not enough research done to support the science behind medical marijuana used on children. I can understand the thoughts that smoking for children can be negative when it comes to inhalants. For children to be using it, it should be edible or an oil treatment. Personally, if it works, keep using it.

Marijuana is one of the most common drugs used on a day-to-day basis in our society. Marijuana is cannabis, it is also often known as weed, herb, pot, grass, and ganja. It is no secret that our society is loving this drug, in fact, people are not ashamed of it. It is now regularly referenced in rap songs, clothing items, and photographs, as it is seen everywhere peer pressure seems to be affecting all ages. People have very good reasons to either hate marijuana or love it. Although there are many benefits from marijuana, the negatives outweigh the positives.

One of the positives for pot is that it is broadcasted as a weapon for stress and anxiety. It is well known that weed has the possibility to give a calming effect for those with lots of anxiety or stress, others use it as an escape or a sense of relaxation. It is mainly used by 15-40 year olds. Whether it is work or school, so many people use weed as a way to take a minute to relax and forget what is around them. Marijuana has short-term benefits, for those who use cannabis as an escape, only have reduced stress for a few minutes to a day until they use the substance again. Basically, either the substance needs to be constantly used or the benefits are temporary, just like taking a prescription. With no long-term effects, the only effects that occur are negatives. Relying on marijuana can be very bad for mental health because it gives people the thought that without weed they will not feel relief. Luckily, there are alternative relaxation methods without using weed like reading a book, yoga, exercise, or cooking. Anything that is a hobby can be very great for the mind when trying to quit a substance.

It is possible to get addicted to anything that gives us pleasure, but luckily it is very unlikely to overdose from Marijuana. It is a controlled substance. Statistics say that only 9 percent of people out of 10 who use cannabis on a day-to-day basis become dependent on it, unlike many other drugs like tobacco users who are 32 percent addicted, 20 percent of cocaine users addicted, and 15 percent of alcohol drinkers. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, weed addiction goes up to about 17 percent in people who start using marijuana at a younger age like in their teens, and to 25 to 50 percent among daily users. Although it is unlikely to get addicted to pot, there is a possibility and it is not one to risk because of all the lifetime side effects that go along with it.

Marijuana makes it harder for students to focus on school. Scientists have discovered that using cannabis causes people to have problems with memory, learning, and also trouble with thinking. There is an active ingredient inside the pot called delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. This component acts on cannabinoid receptors on nerve cells and influences the activity of those cells. With many cannabinoid receptors found in the parts of the brain that influence things like pleasure, memory, thought, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement, it is easy for all of those things to be intermittent. That is why when people are high people tend to forget things quickly, should not drive and some even walk funny.

Marijuana affects the heart, the bones, and the lungs. When smoking grass, the heart starts beating rapidly and blood pressure drops as well. It can cause a heartbeat to increase by 20 to 100 percent and blood pressure slightly reduced, With that being said marijuana users’ risk of having a heart attack is four to five times higher than others within the first hour of smoking. People who smoke large amounts of marijuana on a day-to-day basis have reduced bone density, which can increase the risk of bone fractures. The study at the University of Edinburgh used DEXA-scan x-rays and figured out that heavy users of pot have a lower body weight than the average person and less body mass index also known as BMI, which can contribute to loss of bone density. For some users, marijuana can cause a burning or stinging sensation in the mouth and throat. Although marijuana is not as harmful as tobacco, according to a review published in 2019, scientists have found out that on a day-to-day basis, marijuana smokers can experience similar if not exact respiratory problems as people who smoke cigarettes. Coughing, chest illnesses, and increased risk of lung infections are also factors to consider when smoking.

Marijuana has benefits and disadvantages when it comes to sports. Many athletes use marijuana for relaxation before or after a competition, it can be good for anxiety or stress. Pot can cause risk-taking behavior, which is why when people are “high,” they let loose. For some, marijuana can actually be very beneficial. But since cannabis in general already increases heart rate, using it while doing a sport can be pushing it. Ganja decreases alertness. Injury can be a lot more common when on the substance because awareness is lower which can result in slow turns, not communicating well with teammates, and not paying attention.

Marijuana is known to make people sleepy. It does not change the quality of sleep but rather helps people sleep faster. Although, when in REM sleep marijuana can be helpful for those who have nightmares such as past experiences or stress about upcoming events. Studies have shown a decrease in both phase III sleep and REM sleep occurs when using marijuana beforehand but there is an increase in deep sleep. Therefore, usually, people who smoke and feel tired after, when they are awake feel tired or drowsy. This can actually backfire on a lot of people and make people tired all the time resulting in missing classes, work, or important events.

Medical Marijuana has always been a major controversy all over the world. It is used to treat Alzheimer’s disease, appetite loss, cancer, Crohn’s disease, and eating disorders such as anorexia, epilepsy, glaucoma, schizophrenia, PTSD, multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms, nausea, cachexia, and pain. Cannabinoids are the active chemicals in medical marijuana that are fairly similar to chemicals that the body makes up involving appetite, memory, movement, and pain. Research says that cannabinoids have the ability to reduce anxiety, reduce inflammation, relieve pain, control nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy, kill cancer cells and slow tumor growth, relax tight muscles in people with MS, and stimulate and improve weight gain in people with cancer and AIDS. Not every single person is capable of obtaining medical marijuana legally, people must have a written recommendation from a licensed doctor in the state of the patient, where that is legal which requires a condition that qualifies for medical marijuana use. The patient’s state may also require a medical marijuana ID card, once obtained the card they can buy medical marijuana at a store called a dispensary. Take medical marijuana there are many different methods like smoking it, inhaling, eating it, applying it to your skin in a lotion, spray, oil, or cream, or placing a few drops of a liquid under your tongue. Now medical marijuana may sound very beneficial, but there are also many side effects like bloodshot eyes, depression, dizziness, fast heartbeat, and hallucinations. Not every state has legalization for medical marijuana but luckily 33 states and the District of Columbia are capable of using this substance. The states that do not have legalization for medical marijuana are Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Something that has come to recent study is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome otherwise known as CHS. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is a condition that can lead to repeated amounts of severe bouts of vomiting. It is rare and only occurs in daily long-term users of marijuana. Recently in Canada, this condition has been underdiagnosed. As it is so rare, not many people have even heard of this condition, to get this condition a marijuana smoker has to continually inhale cannabis in their lungs. This can actually be life-threatening. A 17-year-old was admitted to the hospital in April 2018 for this exact condition. He mentioned how he had difficulty speaking, and felt numbness and tingling while his muscles were constrained. He felt very dehydrated and weak, and as time went on they saw spots form on his stomach. He was constantly vomiting even when being hospitalized and properly taken care of. This disease is very severe and life-threatening, I am glad it is now coming to light in the past few years so more people can be aware of it.

Although there are so many benefits to marijuana, anything in our lungs besides oxygen is bad for us. With marijuana leaving bad control and making the body feel weak, the short-term benefits are not enough to make cannabis sound like it is a good thing. A moderate amount of marijuana can be fine if not good for the health but there is an astonishing amount of side effects that can risk permanent damage. The pot should not be bought from anyone unless it is medical marijuana prescribed by a proper doctor, It can be very dangerous buying marijuana from just anyone because not only is it illegal but it can be life-threatening considering people would do anything for money. I hope our generation learns the downside of marijuana before it is too late.

Work Cite

1. Riley, Ryan. About Solid VeganOur information is carefully filtered from our key partners in the Food Industry. “Why Does Weed Make You Tired? – How to Not Get Sleepy When High.” 420 Big Bud, 17 Nov. 2019, https://420bigbud.com/does-weed-make-you-tired/.
2. Nora D. Volkow, M.D. National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Letter From the Director.” NIDA, https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/letter-director.
3. “What Is Marijuana? How Is Marijuana Used? Street Names for Marijuana – Drug-Free World.” Foundation for a Drug-Free World, https://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/marijuana.html.
4. Shortsleeve, Cassie. “Here’s Everything We Know About the Health Effects of Weed.” Men’s Health, Men’s Health, 11 June 2019, https://www.menshealth.com/health/a25713400/is-smoking-weed-bad-for-you/.
5. “Articles.” Cedars, https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/c/cannabinoid-hyperemesis-syndrome.html.
6. What Cannabis Actually Does to Your Brain and Body. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://lifehacker.com/what-marijuana-actually-does-to-your-brain-and-body-1693986467.
7. Relaxing alternatives to marijuana use. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://ask.metafilter.com/138505/Relaxing-alternatives-to-marijuana-use.
8. Kelly, E. (2019, May 31). Why More Athletes Are Turning to Weed. Retrieved from https://greatist.com/play/marijuana-effects-on-runners#7.
9. Denny, Regina. “My Experience of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS).” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 19 Sept. 2019, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326357.php#8.

Marijuana’s banning is as useless as the prohibition of alcohol in the U.S. because money is wasted to control what the government has almost no real control over because the transport and use go underground with other illegal actions like human trafficking. The ban on marijuana is also not just a waste of money and time it also harms those that the medical use can benefit greatly.

The laws and sentencing when they are broken tear families apart, allowing for great organized crime to flourish the way it did in the 1930s prohibition. The decriminalization of the drug federally would help lower crime rates everywhere, all the while making more tax money. It also helps that the law was a biased law passed on racism in America, leaving the bill outdated. If weed was legalized federally, states would have an easier time making it legal in their area, still raising taxes in other areas that already passed the bill.

This would make the states that have not legalized it an area with poor roads and education compared to other states. The states that have legalized it have made enough in taxes to “build trumps wall” 2 to 3 times over. And that is only 13 out of 50 states. Imagine what America can do if it straight up legalized weed and taxed it like tobacco or alcohol.

At this point, America and its Congress have to realize that the ban on weed is as useless as prohibition was in the 1920s. Also weed is not the street drug anymore, there is little news of drug dealers getting picked up off the street anymore because almost over 75% of the drug trade now takes place on the dark web, where people use IP, the internet address of your computer, addresses that change every minute and are impossible to track.

This makes the drug enforcement agency useless a rare slip-up happens but is unlikely like the stolen weapons sold online. It is impossible to track these deals that go over the internet because they are shipped without any return address through the mail, and untraceable microtransactions.

“The FY 2017 budget request for DEA totals $2,103 million” is the amount of money that goes into stopping maharaja, a drug that has more committees to prove it is worse than there are colleges in the US, has proven to be more helpful than a hazard.

The 2 million standard budget for the DEA is planning on an increase, making the “free college” dream shrivel. The cost would lower greatly if weed was not a part of the budget, allowing the agency to focus on more harmful drugs, and more budget for Veterans benefits raised health care for US citizens and better schools.

At this point, the illegalization of weed is a very pointless issue that is a spark bringing government quality in other areas lower. Legalizing weed would help America climb out of the small patch of racial bias that influences its laws. A large amount of the supporters of illegalizing weed did so because of racial reasons, one of the most notable is Nixon blaming all medical “cover-ups” of the harm of marijuana on Jews.

Drugs are definitely an epidemic in the world. People partake in lots of different types for many different reasons. Some are legal and prescribed by doctors, and others are not. Some drugs can be helpful but are overused, and others have no practical use at all but to get high. Marijuana is one drug that can have both positive and negative factors.

Marijuana is a very commonly used drug. It goes by many names including pot, grass, cannabis, weed, hemp, hash, marijuana, ganja, mary jane, and so many others. Some people do it to try to feel better when they feel like crap or when they just wanna have fun. Others may use it as a coping mechanism. It’s used for cancer patients. Cannabis is used to help treat cancer patients. It doesn’t actually reduce cancer or kill it, but it supplies helpful attributes such as telling your body not to vomit so it can keep its food while on other treatments, reduces pain, reduces anxiety, and helps control seizures. I would say that based on these examples weed doesn’t look as bad as people make it out to be.

While there are some good aspects to the pot, they also come along with many negatives. Marijuana can be good in small prescribed dosages, but many people overuse it which can cause many problems even sometimes fatal ones. Smoking weed can cause trouble thinking or remembering, a faster heart rate, slow coordination, and an increase in appetite. It can cause issues with breathing and with your lungs. The biggest negative about it weed is it makes your brain produce “happy feelings”, and that tells your brain it no longer needs to make the hormone so people need to keep using it to feel good. Which can lead to people trying harder, more powerful drugs to get that sensation.

Lots of people smoke weed around the world, but just in the US, there are approximately 37 million people that use it. Of these people, many are believed to turn to harder drugs to get that original high. Teenagers who start because they think it’s cool or its there trend can grow up to be unsuccessful or stunted. Smoking marijuana at such a young age can permanently stunt your brain from being able to make and build connections later in life. When people choose to smoke they are signing up for these consequences some without even knowing it.

There are many harmful drugs some drugs are only harmful because they are abused. There are drugs that can be useful for medicinal purposes. Marijuana is included, but people underplay the serious problems this drug can have on you. While weed can have both positive and negative effects it still continues to be a problem with today’s youth.

The debate over legalization of Cannabis sativa, more commonly known as marijuana, has turned into one of the most raging controversies in American history. The legalization of marijuana is and always will be a very debated topic. Some say the negative short and long term effects of the drug have not been researched enough to make it safe for legal use. While others believe the drug does cause negative side effects but believe in the premise of “it is my body” so marijuana use should be alright. With all of the different viewpoints on the subject, proper judgement becomes cloudy. How should we as a society decide what is the moral solution to this problem we are facing? Whichever side makes the better argument will win this debate. Perhaps morality will not even matter if ulterior financial motives are taken. An analysis of the core of the marijuana debate will uncover which side makes the more reasonable claim.

But the Cannabis business industry really kicked off in the United States in 1996. California, under the push of activist Dennis Peron allowed, allowed the dispensation of weed to patients with HIV. For it was Peron himself who according to Dorm, “knew firsthand the positive role that medical Cannabis was playing in the lives of HIV patients.” (1) These original dispensaries offered a safe and welcoming environment for patients and caregivers. However, during this time the Clinton administration was fervidly against this structure. This explains the unwillingness of investors to make these cannabis dispensaries more widespread (Dorm 1). In the early 2000s the wild west of drugs began. These dispensaries became more unregulated and still growing quickly. While there were an estimated 1,000 legal cannabis dispensaries in Los Angeles by 1999, angst against the marijuana black market was increasing because nearly everyone could get marijuana if they wanted it (Dorm 2). In 2008, under the new president Barack Obama, Colorado voted for legal use of medical marijuana. And during an economic downturn, Denver particularly benefitted from the business of marijuana in the city ( Dorm 3). Seeing that Colorado seemingly had controlled the illegal side of marijuana, many other states followed suit with the legalization of medical marijuana. In 2012, Colorado and Washington voted to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. Many Americans hail these efforts as the average citizen overcoming an oppressive U.S. government or a failed War on Drugs. This further sparked controversy. Some were unsure if this drug that was previously reserved for ill patients was safe for human consumption (Martin 1). Critics questioned the rapid rise of marijuana and disregard of research as either a humanitarian concern for suffering patients or the drive for loads of profit by startup Cannabis companies. Physicians warned that extensive research had not been performed with the recreational use marijuana. Advocates for marijuana pushed for more states to legalize the drug.

Those who are pro-marijuana offer many thought-provoking reasons for legalizing the drug. Most common is the argument that tobacco and alcohol are far more destructive to us that weed (Head, 8). Indeed, it is said that alcohol is abused every second around the world and marijuana is the least harmful of all recreational drugs. Further, laws against alcohol and drugs stand on shaky ground in the eyes of the people. Does the government really know what is better for you more than you do? More practically, marijuana offers numerous health benefits. The drug has proven to slow down the growth of cancer cells (Kabir 1). This is huge considering cancer kills millions every year. It has also been shown to slow Alzheimer’s disease and relive arthritis. Both of these ailments cripple millions every year. In 2011, Harvard University found that marijuana use can decrease anxiety-, which is another increasingly common ailment (Kabir, 11). Other benefits of Cannabis include protecting the brain after stroke, reducing muscle spasms, and reducing severe pain.

Despite these discoveries for the uses of marijuana, those that against marijuana legalization offer viewpoints of their own. Most concerning is the use of weed as a teenager can seriously stunt the development of the brain (Cox, 3). Specifically, memory and learning areas of the brain are stunted with marijuana use. Long-term users report they sometimes have difficulty organizing their thoughts, thinking clearly, poor multi-tasking and slowed reaction times. Furthermore, marijuana use raises the heart rate 20 to 100 percent right after smoking (Cox 4). This drastic change to the heart is dangerous and increases the risk of irregular heart beat and heart attack. Also, it is widely thought that marijuana is not addictive. It is the least addictive of all the drugs, but many many users experience cravings, sleeplessness, decreased appetite and anxiety. As for long-term effects, not much is known concretely (Anderson, 7) Those in favor of the drug cite examples of past generations not suffering detectible long-term effects of marijuana. However, the weed from the hippie generation contained small amounts of THC. That is, the part of the weed that actually made one high is far less potent than weed now. Today, on average, weed is seven times more powerful than the early days of American use (Anderson 7).

From what science and data has gathered weed offers both promising health benefits and concerning side effects. From those within the health care department, optimism about the wondrous benefits of the drug collide with qualms about lack of research for such a drug millions are partaking in (Rappold 2). For a drug that still has many unknown qualities it seems interesting how the push for its legalization has taken off in recent years. Practical reasons , not moral ones, are likely the reason marijuana is becoming legal. Two underlying explanations possibly clear the picture.

Firstly, jobs in the marijuana business are booming. There are at least five trade schools for marijuana (Brodrick 2). Marijuana legalization created more than 18,000 full time employment openings in Colorado (Brodrick 2). However, there are still several limitations. The state charges nearly $20,000 as a startup, and that is just to make your weed legal. Growers are also faced with quite a hassle. Every marijuana plant has to be tracked through continual check-ups (Brodrick 2). These start up costs and time consuming tasks drive up the Cannabis price. The more cost-productive we make something legally, the more tempting it becomes to do it illegally. But the industry is still growing rapidly. Nevada estimates that 41,000 jobs will be open when marijuana becomes legalized.

While the employment section of the marijuana industry is growing rapidly, the strongest economic argument is that marijuana brings in loads of money. How much? Colorado, for example in 2015, earned more than $135 million in revenues and taxes (Cannabis Training University 3) By 2020, California is expected to earn a whopping $18 billion in total revenue and taxes. Simply, just like the alcohol prohibition, marijuana is being legalized to fill government coffers. What would happen if weed was legalized nationally? Well, 25.8 million Americans acknowledged using marijuana in 2017, according to a National Survey on Drug Use (Brodrick 3), and 15.2 million said they used marijuana in December 2017. The typical price for a gram of marijuana illegally is around $10 (Brodrick 3). If all of this was sold legally, pot could raise $40 billion to $100 billion in new tax revenue. The Marijuana Policy Project also estimates that the government would save $7.7 billion on anti-marijuana enforcement. So clearly the financial motivation for making weed legal is obvious.

Not everyone wants weed to be legal though. Pharmaceutical companies are at risk to lose billions. Even already, in now the 17 states with the medical marijuana law in effect, prescriptions for painkillers and other drugs dropped sharply compared to states that do not allow medical marijuana (Ingraham 1). The idea is pot is a more effective pain killer than powerful narcotics. Fearing the trend of declining profit will continue, pharmaceutical companies have lobbied federal agencies directly to block the liberalization of weed (Ingraham 2). These companies cite examples of marijuana as still being somewhat addictive in itself while some narcotics are not.

Both sides of the argument offer solid points. The strongest argument for marijuana legalization is the fact that an extraordinary amount of money would be brought in as a result of this. Further, advocates also argue that we have free choice to use the drug if we wish, and alcohol is more disastrous when abused so marijuana should be permitted just like alcohol was. On the other side, those against marijuana side with science which does not have much long term data on heavy marijuana use. This is why some states are still very cautious whether to make Cannabis legal. Just like alcohol probation in the past, marijuana will likely be completely legalized because so many people will be using it. The police will have more important things to take care of. The government will likely compromise also because of the large amounts of money they will receive because of marijuana taxes.

Executive Summary

Our team’s purpose in writing this report is to educate others on the topic of Marijuana; specifically the history, the medical and financial benefits, and laws regarding state and federal jurisdiction of the drug. The information used for our research came from reliable sources such as news articles from U.S. News and CNBC, Harvard Medical School Dr. Peter Grinspoon, and news outlet sources such as business insiders and the morning consult.

• Starting in the 1930s, and resurging in the 1970s, the criminalization and strict enforcement of the illegality of marijuana have been skewed and propagandized to allow the government to arrest certain groups and cultures of people.
• Marijuana has many positive effects on our body, whether it be physically or cognitively. Many studies have shown that the use of marijuana can relieve pain and reduce stress, along with many other symptoms. While it is still considered a Schedule 1 drug, marijuana could potentially change the world of medicine with all the benefits it has to offer.
• Financially, marijuana has benefited many states by allowing them to place taxes on medical and recreational usage. By legalizing marijuana in these states, the opportunity for more jobs has expanded.
• Marijuana is regulated by the Federal Government as a schedule 1 drug, but the powers of Federalism give States jurisdiction to define their own marijuana laws within their borders. Many Americans, including respected political leaders, push to decriminalize marijuana on the federal level to leave power to the states.

In conclusion, Marijuana in general has a positive impact on the general public’s lives. Despite smear campaigns and criminalization, Marijuana has been found to have both financial and medical benefits. Certain states have chosen to legalize the drug, and are better off for it.

Introduction

Our team chose the topic of Marijuana to inform and educate individuals on the history of marijuana, the ultimate financial and health benefits of medical marijuana, and the debate between state and federal governments carrying jurisdiction over the laws. Our group decided to tackle this topic because of its current cultural importance since it is very controversial and at the forefront of current news. Our sources for this report include material from Harvard Medical doctors, credible news outlet sources such as Business Insider, and newspaper articles from CNBC and U.S. News. In this report, we will provide information on medical marijuana, including:

• Why Marijuana was Criminalized
• Marijuana’s effect on the human body
• The financial benefits of Medical Marijuana
• State vs Federal Law

Background

We chose to do our report on medical marijuana in order to exhibit the cultural dispute over such a drug. Our report will cover the legal laws and regulations of marijuana and why only certain states have chosen to legalize it. Today, laws on marijuana use are debated, which brings rise to the issue of whether laws should stem from state jurisdiction or federal jurisdiction.

It is important to understand that the DEA still classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 Drug, yet the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes has positively impacted the lives of many Americans. Marijuana has many proven benefits for the human body, as well as financially for the economy.

Historically, the issue of legalizing marijuana has been a very polarizing and important topic of discussion in society. With all the misinformation from both sides of the argument, it is important to understand the facts and be able to make an informed decision about the legalization of medical marijuana.

Findings

Why Marijuana was Criminalized

Marijuana has been around for centuries in various forms. As stated by Becky Little for history.com, Anglo-Americans and certain European countries have known of and been using marijuana in the medical field since the 1830s (Little 2019). Despite the plant and extracts being around for thousands of years, Americans have had mixed views on the legal status of the plant. A majority of this started around the 1930s when Harry Anslinger of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics ran a fear-mongering campaign against the drug because it was associated heavily with Mexican immigrants (Booth 2003). This gave the general public another reason to not only keep holding prejudices against Mexican immigrants but also give the Federal Bureau of Narcotics a new drug to combat, thus increasing their funding.

According to Little for history.com, it was reported that police officers in Texas stated that smoking Marijuana led Mexican immigrants to thirst for white blood, as well as acquire superhuman strength (Little 2019). This was just a way to strengthen prejudices against Mexican immigrants, and Marijuana was caught up in the crossfire.

As time progressed, the fear of Marijuana evolved from just Mexican immigrants to the war on drugs. Marijuana was the first illegal drug to have minimum sentence laws placed on it, mostly as a way to justify placing larger sentences on people of color. Essentially, the criminalization of marijuana has its roots in racism.

In the 1970s, Marijuana was recommended to be decriminalized, as it was proven not to cause insanity or any of the other false claims that Anslinger and the Federal Bureau of Narcotics pushed in the 30’s. Even though the US government knew these claims were false, they continued the war on drugs and the war against Marijuana.

The reason that Marijuana was still illegal during the 1970s wasn’t the drug itself, but rather the ability to incarcerate those who used it. Primarily, Marijuana was used by “hippies” at that time, a group known for being against the war. So while the government couldn’t make it illegal to be against the war, they could crack down on Marijuana users, who were notorious for being peace-loving, war-hating hippies.

As for how this relates to today, even though Caucasians and people of color both use nearly the same amount of Marijuana, people of color are far more likely to be incarcerated for Marijuana possession or usage. Marijuana was criminalized to help reaffirm racist prejudice and unfortunately is still criminalized today for similar reasons.

While some states are decriminalizing marijuana and legalizing medical marijuana, it is creating tension between state governments and the federal government. The benefits of marijuana have been explored for millennia, and new technology is leading us to a better understanding of marijuana, as well as the decriminalization of the drug.

Marijuana’s Effect on the Human Body

As the world becomes more and more advanced, it is beneficial to understand how marijuana can play a huge role in uncovering new ways to treat many physical and mental illnesses. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, “marijuana is classified as a schedule 1 drug that has no accepted medical use” (Welsh 2015). However, many people disagree and believe that marijuana can be applicable in all areas of the medical field.

Researchers have found that marijuana is composed of numerous active compounds, and of those, at least two active ingredients can be utilized for medicinal purposes. Cannabidiol (CBD) is responsible for the high that the brain experiences and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are responsible for providing pain relief for the body.

Studies have shown that Cannabidiol (CBD) decreases seizures by interacting with the brain cells. Other studies have shown that CBD may prevent cancer cells from spreading throughout the body by turning off a specific gene. This has not yet been tested on actual cancer patients but has the potential to change the lives of many if and when marijuana is legalized across all 50 states.

The body experiences many physical aches and pains. Using marijuana helps tone down the symptoms your body may be undergoing. The most well-known example of this is seen in patients going through chemotherapy. Taking marijuana helps alleviate the symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, while also encouraging them to eat. Another example is it helps reduce tremors and improves sleep for people suffering from Parkinson’s disease. People with Parkinson’s have extreme difficulty with fine motor skills, but those skills improve with the consumption of marijuana.

Along with physical aches and pains, people also suffer from psychological illnesses such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Anxiety. PTSD is very common among individuals who are veterans. They come back with a rational fear and anxiety that can overtake them. That is why the use of marijuana is necessary for these veterans so that their brain synapses can be regulated. Marijuana has already been approved to help treat people suffering from PTSD in many states. Of those states, New Mexico allows anyone with PTSD to have a licensed medical marijuana card.

Overall, marijuana is a drug with a positive outlook when it comes to medicinal purposes. It can be utilized in many different components to improve our overall understanding of the effects it has on the body. Although it is still considered a Schedule 1 drug, it has the potential to change the world of medicine.

The Financial Benefits of Medical Marijuana

Solely based on the financial benefits of medical marijuana, more than half of the states in the United States have enacted some sort of medical marijuana law. As eleven other states have legalized certain strains of marijuana for recreational purposes.

Colorado and Washington are the two main states that have encountered many economical benefits from legalizing medical and recreational marijuana. In 2015, Colorado collected more than $135 million in taxes and fees (Krishna 2019) just on medical and recreational marijuana. As for the sales in Colorado, they totaled over about $996 million dollars. (Par 3 Investopedia) Researchers from the Colorado State University-Pueblo’s Institute of Cannabis Research found out that the legal cannabis industry has contributed $58 million to the local economy, through taxes and fees. (Krishna 2019)

Setting up marijuana nurseries and dispensaries, will help create jobs for people but it will also set the ball movement for economic activity. For instance, an RGC economics and marijuana policy group did a study on Nevada. Legalizing recreational marijuana in the state of Nevada it could support over 41,000 jobs by 2024 and have over $1.7 billion in labor income. As the new frontier report predicts that by the year 2025 there will be 1.1 million jobs. ( Par 5 Investopedia)

Investments are another financial benefit of medical marijuana. It could help create many connections between investors because of how much money they would invest in marijuana stocks. Countries such as Canada have had very much success in this investment.

Last but not least when it comes to medical or recreational marijuana the way the states can keep track of how much is being sold is through taxes. Even though some states do not tax medical marijuana they do however tax recreational marijuana. At rates such as 15%,17%, or 37% (Par 8 cannabis media) with these taxes states are able to fund community programs, education, and law enforcement.

State vs. Federal Law

Although marijuana is regulated by federal laws, States have the ability to enforce their own laws regarding the drug. Federally, the Drug Enforcement Agency classifies marijuana as a schedule 1 drug. As a schedule 1 drug, marijuana is deemed highly abusive and has no currently accepted medical use. This indicates that marijuana can be prosecuted by federal law. Which is highly controversial, considering that the vast majority of states have legalized it medicinally.

A new national survey has shown that the majority believe that individual states should regulate marijuana usage. A piece written by Joanna Piacenza, from the Morning Consult, indicates that 56% of U.S. adults say states should be in charge of regulating marijuana, while 26% say the federal government should be responsible, and the following 18% express no opinion. As of now, the use of marijuana medically can be seen more frequently. Even though the drug is federally illegal, 21 states have permitted medical usage while 11 states allow recreational use. Experts say that states will continue to regulate the usage of marijuana in an accelerated fashion regardless of what federal law states.

In attempts to decriminalize the drug, political leaders have proposed bills to confront the issue between state and federal law. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, introduced a bipartisan bill S. 3032, in June, which would give states the right to handle marijuana within state lines. Warren’s Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States Act (STATES Act) was presented in the 115th Congress and would amend the Controlled Substance Act of 1970. It would remove any provisions that could create conflict between state and federal governments. The bill would still regulate the distribution and sale to anyone under the age of 21 and would also keep the standing prohibition on the distribution at transport facilities. Acting President, Trump, has expressed to reporters that he would ‘probably’ support this bill.

In other efforts to legalize marijuana, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler alongside Democratic Senator Kamala Harris introduced legislation to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level. The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment Act (MORE Act) presented in the 116th Congress, “would remove marijuana from the Controlled Substance Act, decriminalizing the drug and allowing states to write their own policies” (LaVito, 2019). There has been a strong Democratic push toward the reformation of marijuana laws. Even if the MORE passes in the democratically controlled house, it will likely have more difficulty in the Republican-Controlled Senate.

Federalism ultimately divides the powers of the National Government and the State Government. State laws are regulated within their borders, and the federal government’s concern is with national and international issues. Therefore, by law, states have the power to institute their own laws regarding marijuana. As states continue to enact marijuana laws the federal power over the drug starts to dissipate. Out of the 50 states 47, they have laws permitting some form of marijuana or marijuana-based products (Hansen, 2019a). So by the time marijuana is decriminalized on the federal level, states will have already fully legalized it.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Based on our team’s findings we can conclude that Marijuana has positively impacted the lives of many Americans financially as well as medically, and therefore should be decriminalized as a schedule 1 drug. More specifically:

• The criminalization of marijuana is rooted in racist prejudice. Starting in the 1930s, and resurging in the 1970s, the criminalization and strict enforcement of the illegality of marijuana have been skewed and propagandized to allow the government to arrest certain groups and cultures of people. Mainly minorities and people of color have been affected by the criminalization of marijuana, and though it was once legal and somewhat commonly used in the United States, the war on drugs really misconstrued the general population’s opinion on marijuana.
• The use of medical marijuana is arising in many states, however, some people still do not accept that it is beneficial to our well-being. Marijuana has many positive effects on our body, whether it be physically or cognitively. Many studies have shown that the use of marijuana can relieve pain and reduce stress, along with many other things. While it is still considered a Schedule 1 drug, marijuana could potentially change the world of medicine with all the benefits it has to offer.
• Financially, marijuana has benefited many states by allowing them to place taxes on medical and recreational usage. Specifically in Colorado and Washington, marijuana usage has shown to be prosperous for the economy. By legalizing marijuana the opportunity for more jobs has expanded.
• Although marijuana is regulated by the federal government as a schedule 1 drug, the powers of federalism, give states jurisdiction to define their own marijuana laws within their borders. Many Americans, including respected political leaders, believe that decriminalizing marijuana would remove conflicts between governments. As of now, the majority of U.S. States have passed laws legalizing marijuana in some fashion.

Based on our team’s conclusion we recommend that individuals further educate themselves on the overall aspects of marijuana usage. Recognizing the importance of marijuana medically and economically can shift public opinion to a more positive light. By understanding that marijuana is a drug based on racial prejudice, decriminalizing the drug has the possibility to assist in repairing relations between cultures in the US.

References

1. Booth, M. (2003). Cannabis: A History. New York, NY: Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Press.
2. Grinspoon, P. (2019, June 25). Medical Marijuana. In Harvard Health Publishing. Retrieved November 7, 2019, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/medical-marijuana-2018011513085
3. Gunelius, S. (2018, November 13). The Economic Impact of Marijuana. In Cannabiz Media. Retrieved November 8, 2019, from https://cannabiz.media/the-economic-impact-of-marijuana/
4. Hansen, C. (2019a, April 4). Bipartisan Bill Would Give States Control Over Marijuana Laws. In U.S. News. Retrieved November 7, 2019, from https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2019-04-04/bipartisan-bill-would-give-states-control-over-marjuana-legalization
5. Hansen, C. (2019b, July 29). Where is Marijuana Legal? A Guide to Marijuana Legalization. In U.S. News. Retrieved November 7, 2019, from https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/where-is-marijuana-legal-a-guide-to-marijuana-legalization
6. Krishna, M. (2019, June 25). The Economic Benefits of Legalizing Weed. In Investopedia. Retrieved November 7, 2019, from https://www.investopedia.com/articles/insights/110916/economic-benefits-legalizing-weed.asp
7. LaVito, A. (2019, July 23). Nadler, Harris to introduce bill decriminalizing pot, expunge marijuana convictions. In CNBC. Retrieved November 7, 2019, from https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/22/nadler-harris-to-introduce-bill-decriminalizing-pot-expunge-prior-convictions.html
8. Little, B. (2018, August 31). Why the US Made Marijuana Illegal. In History. Retrieved November 8, 2019, from https://www.history.com/news/why-the-u-s-made-marijuana-illegal
9. Piacenza, J. (2018, July 20). Who Should Regulate Marijuana? Most Say States Over the Federal Government. In Morning Consult. Retrieved November 7, 2019, from https://morningconsult.com/2018/07/20/who-should-regulate-marijuana-most-say-states-over-federal-government/
10. Welsh, J., & Loria, K. (2015, April 20). Facts on Marijuana and Health. In Business Insider. Retrieved November 7, 2019, from https://www.businessinsider.com/facts-on-marijuana-and-health-2015-4

Public policy is the means by which government bodies transform their political vision into action to deliver results. Moreover, public policymaking can be described as a vigorous, complex, and iterative system through which public issues are identified and resolved (Fisher & Miller, 2017). Once a resolution is identified, a slow-evolving idea begins working towards acceptability; upon acceptance, a policy is formed. When analyzing an implemented public policy there are numerous theoretical lens’ through which one may use to understand and or explain how the policy came into being. Typically, the specific theoretical lens used to view a particular policy is dependent upon the policy under review. The article under examination “Medical Marijuana and Marijuana Legalization” authored by Pacula and Smart (2017) explored past and present marijuana policies in the United States.

Article and Selected Public Policy Background

In short, the referenced article examined marijuana policies in America; for the last five decades, the United States has experimented with marijuana liberalization strategies (Pacula & Smart, 2017). Though U.S. federal laws have banned the use and dissemination of marijuana since 1937, state decriminalization policies were passed in the 70’s and patient medical access laws were adopted in the early 90’s (Pacula & Smart, 2017). By 2016, a total of 21 states decriminalized several marijuana possession infractions, 26 states legalized marijuana use, and another 16 states adopted cannabidiol (CBD) only laws (Pacula & Smart, 2017). Overall, Pacula and Smart (2017) state the following three factors have propelled the policy changes discussed above:

• Rising state budgetary cost related to arresting and imprisoning non-violent drug offenders
• Increased scientific evidence suggesting therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids found in marijuana
• Stressed state budgets requiring legislatures to explore new sources of tax revenues

Needless to say, there are arguments for and against existing marijuana policies; there are research studies in support of both ends of the spectrum. Since there is variance amongst the states in terms of their legal definition and implementation of four specific marijuana policies (prohibition, decriminalization, medical marijuana, and legalization), findings, as it relates to which policy provides the most significant outcome(s), is inconclusive; further research is necessary.

Use of Theory to Analyze the Evolution of a Public Policy

Policy analysis can be divided into two components (Sheldon, 2016):

• Analysis of an existing policy – accesses the degree to which policy is meeting its goals
• Analysis of a new policy – examines policy formulation and looks to suggests ways to improve

Reliable policy analysis requires the use of a logical framework grounded in theory; the framework assists analyst in interpreting the key variables relevant to the policy issues of interest (Sheldon, 2016). Moreover, Sheldon (2016) states the following steps are used when performing policy analysis:

• Verify the problem identified by the policy
• Determine policy aims
• Access policy implications
• Evaluate alternative policies that may resolve problem more effectively

Illustrating these steps using the first identified factor that contributed to the implementation of marijuana policies in various states (increased budgetary cost related to arresting and imprisoning non-violent drug offenders); the problem is apparent. Countless states suffer financially as a result of over populated prisons. The primary aim of the legalization policy for example, is to end the need for illegal activity to obtain marijuana. With respect to alternative policies, a few states have attempted to utilize the decriminalization policy as a means to mitigate this issue; however, the policy has not rendered satisfactory results. Through the process of analysis shown above, grounded in a logical framework, a public policy will either continue through the iterative process of improvement or advance towards implementation.

Evolution of Selected Public Policy

Each marijuana policy mentioned above impacts society in a different way. Specifically, prohibition laws sustain the criminal status of any action related to marijuana (use, cultivation, sale, or distribution); decriminalization policies seek to remove criminal status of marijuana offenses (Pacula & Smart, 2017). On the other hand, medical marijuana laws (MMLs) eradicate state consequences for the use of marijuana for therapeutic purposes under certain conditions, and legalization eliminates criminal and financial penalties for the custody, use, and supply of marijuana for recreational purposes (Pacula & Smart, 2017). These policy descriptions emphasize the different means through which the policies may sway use, modify perceptions of risks or social disapproval, and affect product accessibility and variation (Pacula & Smart, 2017).

Generally speaking, the four specific marijuana policies mentioned have evolved through state legislatures at varying speeds, though the federal government retains its prohibition of all marijuana activities. Specifically focusing on the legalization policy, Colorado and Washington became the first two states to legalize the recreational use of cannabis through approved legislation (Colorado Amendment 64 and Washington Initiative 502) in 2012 (Pacula & Smart, 2017). Shortly thereafter, the Justice Department issued the Cole Memorandum. According to (Mort, 2019) the memo identified situations that would result in federal enforcement should states be found guilty of the following:

• Distribution of marijuana to a minor
• Transference of marijuana across state borders

The memo was later retracted, establishing uncertainty in how the federal government would intervene; nevertheless, more and more states began to legalize different components e.g., recreational use, and commercial sale (Mort, 2019). As shown, legalization efforts began almost a decade ago; the policy has been modified several times and still continues to evolve within each respective state.

Evaluation of Theoretical Lens Used to Explain the Public Policy’s Evolution

Sound policy analysis requires the use of an analytical framework grounded in one or more theories. As it relates to the referenced study, the authors/research scholars likely used the Narrative Policy Framework (NPF) while assessing the legalization policy. Use of this framework was due in part to the narrative change as it relates to marijuana. There was a time when marijuana was viewed as any other narcotic and said to have extreme negative effects on the mental capacity of individuals who participated in its use. However, over the years the discussion has changed; there are countless research studies that promote the use of marijuana, suggesting benefits like chronic pain relief, weight loss, regulate/prevent diabetes etc. Due to the change in narrative, society’s perception as it relates to marijuana use has transformed; according to Weible (2017) the narrative behind the policy determines its success.

Examination of Public Policy Using an Alternative Theoretical Lens

To reiterate, public policies are the government’s response to problems that advance to the public agenda. Many of these issues are complex in nature; a variety of different lenses could be used to examine a specific policy. In fact, multiple lenses could be used to explore one public policy in parallel. For instance, viewing the legalization policy through the public choice theory, one’s understanding and perspective would likely change. The public choice theory explicitly analyzes public policies exclusively through the use of economic principles (Stewart-Knox et al., 2016). As noted, many of marijuana policies grew in popularity primarily because state legislatures viewed marijuana legalization as a means to mitigate state budgetary problems. Robinson (2019) identified the following financial benefits as it relates to marijuana legalization:

• State tax revenues
• Elimination of costly enforcement of marijuana laws
• Boost in U.S, economy
• Job creation

This viewpoint provides an overview of the benefits of marijuana legalization merely from a financial perspective.

Conclusion

In general, a theoretical framework limits the scope of data and compels policy analyst to observe a policy through a specific viewpoint by focusing on explicit variables (Weible, 2017). As noted, the authors of the above-mentioned study utilized the narrative policy framework to evaluate the legalization policy. Viewing the policy from the perspective of NPF, its distinctly clear how the referenced policy progressed through the political system. In fact, it’s likely that all the marijuana policies mentioned above will continue to evolve as more research is conducted.

References

1. Birkland, T. A. (2015). An introduction to the policy process: Theories, concepts, and models of public policy making. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.library.capella.edu
2. Fischer, F., & Miller, G. J. (Eds.). (2017). Handbook of public policy analysis: theory, politics, and methods. Routledge.
3. M., W. C. (2017). Theories of the policy process. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.library.capella.edu
4. Mort, G. A. (2019). Drug Testing, Workplace Policies and State Cannabis Statues in the Age of Legalized Marijuana: What Arbitrators Need to Know. Dispute Resolution Journal, 74(1), 71-83.
5. Pacula, R. L., & Smart, R. (2017). Medical marijuana and marijuana legalization. Annual review of clinical psychology, 13, 397-419.
6. Robison, A. L. (2019). The Economic Effects of National Marijuana Legalization.
7. Sheldon, M. R. (2016). Policy-Making Theory as an Analytical Framework in Policy Analysis: Implications for Research Design and Professional Advocacy. Physical therapy, 96(1), 101-110.
8. Stewart-Knox, B. J., Markovina, J., Rankin, A., Bunting, B. P., Kuznesof, S., Fischer, A. R. H., & Gibney, M. (2016). Making personalised nutrition the easy choice: creating policies to break down the barriers and reap the benefits. Food Policy, 63, 134-144.

In the past few years, marijuana has been a very controversial topic. There are people who absolutely want it legalized and people who are absolutely not for it. Medical marijuana has many benefits. Cannabidiol has been proven to help with many illnesses, disorders, and cancers. Cannabidiol has also been proven to relieve depression and PTSD symptoms. Marijuana can also be used to reduce dependency on dangerous painkillers such as fentanyl, Vicodin, methadone, oxycontin, codeine, morphine, etc… It has also been proven that it is impossible to overdose on medical marijuana. If marijuana became legal it would bring in a substantial amount of revenue for state and federal governments, as well as create many new jobs. There are many states who have legalized medical marijuana and have not ended up with a loss of productivity.

Marijuana has been named as something that could potentially endanger lives and make more problems for the country, however, based on how many medical benefits it has and how much it could help the economy, the positives associated with medical marijuana vastly outweigh the negatives. The marijuana plant contains more than 100 different chemicals called cannabinoids. Each one has a different effect on the body. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the main chemicals used in medicine. THC also produces the ‘high’ people feel when they smoke marijuana or eat foods containing it. Medical marijuana is legal in 33 states which include the District of Columbia, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia.

There are two FDA-approved drugs, dronabinol, and nabilone, that contain THC. They treat nausea caused by chemotherapy and increase appetite in patients with extreme weight loss caused by AIDS. Continued research might lead to more medications. The FDA approved a CBD-based liquid medication called Epidiolex for the treatment of two forms of severe childhood epilepsy. The United Kingdom, Canada, and several European countries have approved nabiximols which is a mouth spray containing THC and CBD. It treats muscle control problems caused by MS, but it isn’t FDA-approved. Marijuana has many health benefits. Some of these benefits include helping with epilepsy, chronic pain, and nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. CBD oil helps stomach aches, joint aches, and muscle aches. According to Cancer.org “More recently, scientists reported that THC and other cannabinoids such as CBD slow growth and/or cause death in certain types of cancer cells growing in lab dishes. Some animal studies also suggest certain cannabinoids may slow growth and reduce the spread of some forms of cancer.” Marijuana also helps treat and reduce the severity of epilepsy.

Marijuana can help treat appetite loss associated with HIV/AIDS and cancer. Medical marijuana can also help with menstrual cramps. Medical marijuana uses the marijuana plant or chemicals in it to treat diseases or conditions. It’s basically the same product as recreational marijuana, but it’s taken for medical purposes. Medical marijuana is very different from many prescription drugs because you can’t overdose on medical marijuana. Although many people try to claim that if you start smoking weed or eating edibles you can end up overdosing, there is nothing in medical marijuana that could cause an overdose. You can certainly experience a “bad high” or unwanted symptoms from ingesting too much medical marijuana, but the chances that you’ll die from it are impossible. There is no one who has died from overdosing on medical marijuana. According to the National Cancer Institute, “cannabinoid receptors, unlike opioid receptors, are not located in the brainstem areas controlling respiration.” So too much marijuana can’t cause damage to organs. Cannabis does impact motor skills and can increase heart rates, but there are solutions to these problems, such as physically moving to a more relaxing and comfortable environment or using calming methods to ease an anxiety attack. In fact, when and if you need to head to the emergency room, most medical professionals will simply talk you down and, in extreme cases, give you a sedative. Making medical marijuana legal will help make sure that companies are regulating places that distribute medical marijuana making sure that the consumers are getting quality medical marijuana and not medical marijuana that has potentially been laced with lethal drugs. If companies were to do something to medical marijuana it would be easier to detect who messed with the medical marijuana. Many chronically ill, cancerous patients will get medical marijuana illegally if they truly need it to help the pain.

Making medical marijuana legal ensures that they are getting pure medical marijuana instead of medical marijuana from a drug dealer who put some random chemicals into the marijuana to “make it stronger.” Making medical marijuana would also help the economy greatly. Marijuana is easy to grow and eco-friendly. According to Halcyon Organics “Legalizing and regulating medical cannabis will take this profit center away from murderous criminals and transfer it to licensed and regulated businesses. By taking these revenues from organized crime, we can significantly weaken them financially. Additionally, we will be able to control how and to whom medical cannabis is dispensed by setting responsible standards to which businesses must adhere.” You can grow marijuana in almost any type of weather and it can lessen the amount of carbon dioxide produced. If medical marijuana was legal it would bring in a substantial amount of revenue for federal and state governments. Colorado made more than $750 million in business revenue from marijuana. According to Halcyon Organics, “Cannabis prohibition is expensive. Harvard economist, Jeffrey Miron, estimates that state and federal governments spend an excess of $20 billion per year fighting this little green plant. Much of this cost comes from burdening our justice system, wasting law enforcement’s time, and using $125/day of taxpayer money incarcerating cannabis offenders. To add insult to injury, these efforts continue to fail as cannabis is more available than ever before.” Medical marijuana also helps lessen the opioid crisis that is taking over the United States.

Medical marijuana is also known to help with the opioid crisis. In 2016 a study was done by Health Affairs and it found that there were 1826 fewer daily opioid prescriptions given in the states where marijuana was legal. The study shows that it can help with the opioid epidemic because weed has no addictive agent in it and it also numbs pain. According to Greenlight Approved, cannabis can help increase the efficacy of prescription narcotics, which often stop working well as patients with chronic pain build up resistance. This is significant because complete withdrawal from prescription drugs is not an option for many patients. A showed a 64 percent decrease in opiate use when patients used cannabis in combination with their prescription drugs. Medical marijuana is very useful to people who need it, and I saw that personally. My father got diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in July 2015. AML is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes abnormal myeloblasts (a type of white blood cell), red blood cells, or platelets. He had it aggressively for almost four years. My father had excruciating pain from the cancer and the chemotherapy. He started smoking medical marijuana and eating edibles to cope with the pain caused by cancer and chemotherapy. When I watched him have the medical marijuana in his system I could tell that the medical marijuana was helping him immensely with his pain. Watching my father be relieved from some of the pain that he had been dealing with for years all because he ingested medical marijuana made me realize how great medical marijuana could be if used properly. Before watching my father ingest medical marijuana I was against it being legalized for reasons I am unsure of, but after seeing the good it can do to patients in extreme pain, I realized it is very useful in today’s society with all of the cancers, chronic illnesses, and diseases that are currently an issue in the United States.

In 2017, there was an 11-year-old boy from the United Kingdom who had over 100 seizures a day from his epilepsy. He came to the United States to get a form of treatment containing cannabis oil. His mother later reported that he had not had a single seizure for 300 days. She also stated that the cannabis oil had improved his autism by providing better eye contact and engagement in books and toys. Cannabis oil also shows benefits in immune functions, emotional and mood regulation, vascular health, digestive function, and neuroplasticity. This is proof that medical marijuana can be very useful to people suffering all over the world. There are two main strains of medical marijuana and those are the indica and sativa strains. The Indica strain is usually a short plant with very bushy leaves. The Indica strain also grows faster and grows better in cold climates with shorter seasons. The Sativa strain is a tall plant that has narrow leaves, longer growing cycles and grows better in warm climates with longer seasons. Indica strains are believed to be physically sedating, perfect for relaxing with a movie or as a nightcap before bed. Sativas tend to provide more invigorating, uplifting cerebral effects that pair well with physical activity, social gatherings, and creative projects.

Smoking marijuana has become common since legalization, with public usage commonplace in many places. According to Harvard Health Publishing, Marijuana is legal in 29 states; about 85% of people support legalization, and several million people use it. (‘Medical marijuana – Harvard Health,’ 2022). It is not a small number. The question is, is Marijuana an addictive substance or not? How do we keep it out of the hands of teenagers? What benefits does it have? Or should Marijuana be legalized? These are general and even vague questions for many people because most people use cannabis for recreational purposes rather than medical treatment. Therefore, from an economic and medical perspective, cannabis brings many benefits, such as helping economic growth, creating many jobs for people, and being a good pain reliever. However, from a human and social perspective, legalizing Marijuana may not be an option worth considering because of its harm. It affects people physically and mentally; moreover, it causes many accidents. I think the use of Marijuana should be highly regulated and controlled to avoid unintentional mental and physical injury.

Let’s first talk about the effects of cannabis on society. People argue that Marijuana helps relieve stress and anxiety. It is just a fallacious claim for legalizing Marijuana (Moore and Parker). They offer false and purported arguments to mislead listeners into believing that cannabis can effectively treat generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder. However, in practice, the legalization of Marijuana has led to its widespread and indiscriminate use. According to the CDC, about 48.2 million marijuana users, 18% of Americans, are using it in 2019. Currently, 3 out of 10 people use it. It shows that the proportion of marijuana users has skyrocketed, leading to deaths from cannabis-related accidents, more than doubling from 9% in 2000 to 21.5% in 2018, and the Cannabis and alcohol-related death rate also from 4.8% to 10.3% (‘Car Crash Deaths Involving Cannabis on the Rise | SPH,’ 2022). So legalizing Marijuana shouldn’t be an option in the first place.

The use of alcohol and tobacco costs this country billions of dollars every year and destroys many lives. Marijuana may be a revenue source, but it causes more harm than good. Our society has significant issues with managing the health issues associated with drugs already legal and used recreationally. We should not create yet another legal pathway for the self-destruction of our citizens. Have we learned nothing from the examples in these other industries? Socially we cannot afford to legitimize another harmful recreational drug.

Next, we will talk about the physical and mental effects of cannabis on people. One of the other general and vague reviews about legalizing Marijuana is that cannabis can help patients battle cancer. I think this is more of a subjective opinion than an objective opinion because people using cannabis believe that cannabis can help with cancer treatment, such as helping them relax and feel better. However, no detailed and accurate documents or studies document whether cannabis has anti-cancer, tumor-treating, and immune system-benefiting effects. All we know is the harmful effects of cannabis on human health. According to CDC, smoking Marijuana has been linked to respiratory diseases, especially of the lungs, such as chronic bronchitis, suppressing the immune system and increasing the likelihood of respiratory infections. According to the National Library of Medicine, there were 79 cases of lung cancer and 324 cases of control. Lung cancer risk increased by 8% for each year of joint smoking (Respir). And this is only part of the harmful effects of Marijuana on the body. In addition, it also increases blood pressure and heart rate and reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood, leading to dizziness and lightheadedness. And also, according to the CDC, using Marijuana early in adolescence is more likely to lead to testicular cancer.

Besides the harmful effects of Marijuana on the body, it also causes many problems for the user’s mind. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, high doses of Marijuana every day can cause anxiety, confusion, disorientation, and hallucinations. Marijuana users have a higher risk of temporary psychosis than non-users; it also causes depression. In addition, it also causes short-term memory impairment, impaired attention, judgment, and other cognitive functions (‘Is there a link between marijuana use and psychiatric disorders? | National Institute on Drug Abuse’, 2022).

The prevalent attitude that Marijuana is harmless Is a dangerous misunderstanding of the risks. Marijuana may seem harmless to many users in the short term because of its sedative properties. The short-term effects may not be obvious, leaving a false sense of security, but they can be psychologically addictive and cause a life imbalance and cancer in the long run. Although not physically addictive, there is evidence of a strong psychological addiction which can be much harder to treat. We do not need to encourage the usage of another recreational drug that harms people. There may be isolated use cases for Marijuana, but total legalization is a mistake.

There appear to be some medical benefits from Marijuana usage that need extensive study. I do not wish to ignore positive use cases for the drug. Cancer patients have reported appetite returning after chemotherapy which is critical to their survival. The most common medical use of Cannabis in the United States is pain management. Although cannabis is not strong enough to relieve pain in patients with pre-and post-operative trauma, it is effective for patients with chronic pain, especially the elderly. According to Harvard Publish Health, Cannabis effectively alleviates the pain of multiple sclerosis and neuropathic pain in general. In addition, instead of taking heavy daily pain relievers that will affect the liver, some cancer patients turn to cannabis as an alternative. It can help them ease the pain, relax, and be calmer. My brother-in-law is an example. He has had thyroid cancer for almost 15 years and has undergone countless back surgeries. He had to take opiate painkillers in heavy doses every day for extended periods. The doctor advised him to limit his heavy use of painkillers as they could damage his liver function. Instead of suffering the pain that torments him physically and mentally, he turned to Marijuana. He said that it works great, he feels relaxed and the pain is also greatly reduced after using it. More importantly, he was able to stop taking opiates such as Hydrocodone and Morphine. Moreover, he also did not have liver problems due to taking too many drugs. Therefore, there is evidence that cannabis is remarkably effective for pain relief and improved mental health from a medical perspective.

Another typical benefit that cannabis brings is boosting the economy and creating many jobs. The legalization of Marijuana in 29 states has created a new thriving industry. Many states now have a new revenue stream that helps with ever-increasing budgets due to the taxation of the Marijuana industry.

In states where the cannabis market is taxed, tax revenue has skyrocketed. Example ‘The City of Oakland, California, collected $1.4 million in taxes from medical marijuana dispensaries – nearly 3% of all sales from business taxes. Colorado collected $5 million in taxes. ‘ Sales tax from the medical marijuana business in Oregon raised approximately $6.7 million in taxes that it used to pay for other state health programs (‘The Economics of Marijuana Legalization,’ 2022). These things drive economic growth, and the revenue from the cannabis tax can drastically improve the financial stability of cities and states.

In addition, cannabis creates many jobs for thousands of people across the United States. It helps reduce poverty and hunger and reduce the situation of homeless people in the United States. According to Forbes, the cannabis industry currently supports 428,059 full-time jobs in the United States, adding 32,700 jobs in 2019 and 77,300 jobs in 2020. The industry added 107,059 cannabis jobs in 2020, up to 33% in just one year. During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, 2021 is the fifth year in a row the cannabis industry has shown an annual employment growth rate of 27% or higher (Herrington, 2022). It shows that the economic and employment potential for legal cannabis is quite bright.

Legalizing Marijuana is a complex and challenging social and economic challenge the United States should examine carefully. There are both positive and negative impacts to weigh. There should be a separation between recreational use and medical use. People should exercise moderation in using Marijuana. Recreational use should not be allowed. We do not want to message our children that Marijuana is anything but a harmful drug when used outside of medical reasons. It will reduce the number of new users who believe it is not harmful because it is now legal. It will help to limit the rampant and uncontrolled use of cannabis. Moreover, it will help reduce social evils, traffic accidents, and acts of violence in public places.

In states where Marijuana is legal, there should be an increase in funding to enforce the laws that protect children from access to Marijuana. There should be significant consequences to providing access to minors. Public utilization should be banned and significant fines imposed if caught violating this law. State governments need to prepare themselves for the increased health challenges and budget for additional treatment facilities for substance abuse issues.

.I firmly believe many people use and abuse cannabis for recreational purposes without knowing the potential risks. Before legalization, the general attitude has been it is just a harmless plant. With legalization, many people who previously would never consider its usage now are assuming it’s safe because of the change in legal status. Public awareness programs will help educate people.

In conclusion, from the analysis and research results, we can see that the legalization of Marijuana is still a controversial topic. But one thing we cannot deny is that exposure and the socialization of Marijuana usage are increasing. Whether it is useful or harmful depends on the user’s intended use and control. We cannot say that it is completely harmful, nor can we say it is completely helpful because those are flawed judgments from a subjective point of view. Taking any drug has certain effects on the human body. It can help control the disease but can also cause different side effects. I hope the state government where Marijuana is legal will tighten and limit marijuana use, especially in public places. As for the medical benefits of cannabis, we should encourage extensive research into the validity of these benefits. Usage should be allowed with overwhelming evidence that it is helping patients with pain management and appetite. The United States should not legalize another drug for recreational usage. Additional resources should be made available to enforce laws that protect children from exposure to drugs.

Reference:

1. The Economics of Marijuana Legalization. (2022). Retrieved 5 May 2022, from https:www.debt.orggovernmenteconomics-marijuana-legalization
2. Is there a link between marijuana use and psychiatric disorders? | National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022). Retrieved 5 May 2022, from https:nida.nih.govpublicationsresearch-reportsmarijuanathere-link-between-marijuana-use-psychiatric-disorders
3. Herrington, A. (2022). New Cannabis Jobs Report Reveals Marijuana Industry’s Explosive Employment Growth. Retrieved 5 May 2022, from https:www.forbes.comsitesajherrington20220223new-cannabis-jobs-report-reveals-marijuana-industry’s-explosive-employment-growth?sh=12cae9ea23f2
4. Car Crash Deaths Involving Cannabis on the Rise | SPH. (2022). Retrieved 4 May 2022, from https:www.bu.edusphnewsarticles2021car-crash-deaths-involving-cannabis-on-the-rise#:~:text=The percent of crash deaths,4.8 percent to 10.3 percent.
5. Is there a link between marijuana use and psychiatric disorders? | National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022). Retrieved 5 May 2022, from https:nida.nih.govpublicationsresearch-reportsmarijuanathere-link-between-marijuana-use-psychiatric-disorders
6. Medical Marijuana – Harvard Health. (2022). Retrieved 5 May 2022, from https:www.health.harvard.edublogmedical-marijuana-2018011513085The
7. Economics of Marijuana Legalization. (2022). Retrieved 5 May 2022, from https:www.debt.orggovernmenteconomics-marijuana-legalization#:~:text=The report also found that, billion in savings and income.

Abstract:

Over the duration of 30 years, the United States has undergone some major changes regarding foreign policy, ensuring domestic tranquility and, more respectively to this topic, the war on drugs. Over the past 15 years, we have seen dramatic shifts in judgment regarding the idea of marijuana reform. While some citizens are comfortable with the idea of legalization, whether it be for medicinal or recreational use, others are not. This is due to the risks that may prevail at a later time, which begs the question; should we still be treating marijuana like public enemy number one? Or, should we begin to change our perceptions given its rising prevalence?

Intro:

For many years, there has been an ongoing argument in politics between what politicians think is right and what they think is wrong from the idea of reform. One side of the argument states that marijuana is useful in a medical and emotional sense, while the opposing side says that it is useless and should still be criminalized. These people speak for the citizens of the United States, but there is still a lot to be known about people’s individual attitudes or beliefs coming about from this topic. There have been numerous studies on this specific debate that test certain groups of citizens and find out their personal opinions, as well as their experiences on the matter. These studies have helped researchers come up with answers to the question; how have attitudes and opinions changed regarding marijuana reform over the last decade?

Methods:

Most of the studies conducted were found by academic search Premiere. They were mostly executed by asking survey questions. Each study conducted that is mentioned in this paper is similar to one another, but with differing variables. Specific studies target students at universities or high schools and begin by asking them if they never, occasionally, or often use the substance. People must consider when doing these studies, the age, the environment, the time frames, and hundreds of other limitations or variables that could affect the outcome of the answers. People were asked about their opinions on reform, their opinions on the medical effectiveness, the risks/benefits of using it, as well as other questions as well that were evaluated and used as data for these studies. The results of these studies come out differently depending on certain variables that are uncontrolled.

Results:

Attitudes and beliefs toward the marijuana reform epidemic have changed substantially over the past decade. A specific study done on medical students at the University of Colorado was done through email and concluded that 64% of the 236 students who responded to the email believed that marijuana should be legalized for recreational use, with 72% supporting the reclassification of marijuana so that it is no longer a Schedule I substance (Chan, Knoepke, Cole, McKinnon, Matlock, 2017). Overall, the students in that study had positive attitudes toward marijuana. They were in favor of the legalization and defended the rights of physicians to recommend it to patients. Student attitudes now are like the attitudes expressed in a 1991 survey by the American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO), which showed that 48% of respondents would prescribe marijuana if it were legally available (Chan, 2017). Another study was conducted by The Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan. Data that has been collected from Monitoring the Future surveys in this study were from between the years 1991 to 2016. The relevance of this data is competent because it also falls between the years 2009 and 2016. Two hypotheses were tested: one was that as the prevalence of cigarettes and alcohol began to fall, marijuana use was expected to rise since 2005. The second hypothesis claimed that marijuana use would not rise “since 2005 because the association of perceived risk of harm and marijuana use has weakened” (Miech, Johnston, O’Malley, 2017).

Discussion:

Cumulatively the studies that I have reviewed found that over the last decade, marijuana prevalence has risen slightly and increased overall. Also, attitudes towards perceived risks, potential medicinal values, and reclassification have also shown a difference within the last decade; generally, with states that have reformed their marijuana laws, people residing within tend to lean towards more positive attitudes and beliefs than states without any marijuana reform. I found that marijuana prevalence has increased substantially, but the number of adolescents using the substance was less than I expected despite the growing prevalence. The reasoning for this is due to the decline of alcohol and tobacco use since 2005, and if there had not been any decline, it was noted that marijuana use would be more prevalent in our youth.