Category: Medical Marijuana

I believe marijuana should be a medical option. They believe that marijuana should not be a medical option. Marijuana can be consumed in many ways. When consuming too much marijuana, it affects the person’s short-term memory and damages lung tissue as well. Marijuana can cause mental health problems. Marijuana can cure muscle pain, and it can also help with nausea while going through Chemotherapy. Marijuana can be consumed in many ways. Medicinal marijuana has made huge advancements throughout the years. For this reason, marijuana should be a medical option.

Medical Marijuana’s Role in Alleviating Arthritis and Chemo-induced Nausea

Marijuana helps cure muscle pain by easing the pain of arthritis. There are two types of arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis, which is when a person’s immune system attacks the joints. Osteoarthritis is another type that mostly affects the hip, thumb, or knee joints. Although it’s not 100% that it helps with arthritis pain, there have been studies made on rats. According to Medical News Today, “A 2011 study found that CBD helped to reduce inflammatory pain in rats by affecting the way that pain receptors respond to stimuli.”

Another reason medical marijuana should be a medical option is because it helps with nausea when going through Chemotherapy. Anne states, “Marijuana is a mind-altering substance, and as such, it can act as a mitigator for nausea. Much like with pain, the cannabinoids and THC soothe any sort of nauseous feeling almost immediately.” One of the most common cancer treatments is Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy helps kill cancer cells. Although Chemotherapy can be good, there are side effects when doing it, such as nausea and vomiting. I truly believe marijuana helps with nausea and vomiting because my aunt was a cancer patient, and one of the most helpful medicines when doing chemo was marijuana.

Alternative Consumption Methods: Beyond Smoking Medical Marijuana

Marijuana doesn’t necessarily have to be smoked. There are many different ways of it being consumed. Smoking can be a health risk, but doing other things that still have marijuana can lead to fewer risks. Tinctures are a type of oil that people put under their tongues. Some prefer to do this because it’s less risky than smoking, and it damages your lungs or causes other health problems. Another way you can consume marijuana in your stomach is through edibles. This way is also very powerful and sometimes gives you a longer “high.” The way you can consume an edible is by adding marijuana to any food and eating it. Some people prefer adding it to brownies or cookies.

When consuming too much marijuana, it targets many parts of the brain. Two of many ways it targets the brain are your speed of thinking as well as your memory worsen over time. People might find it harder to create memories when they are High. Christopher Ingraham states, “The study found that people who smoked marijuana on a daily basis for a long period of time — five years or more — had poorer verbal memory in middle age than people who didn’t smoke, or who smoked less.” When giving tests to people who don’t smoke and people who smoke every day, someone who smokes takes longer to problem-solve and uses their brain than someone who doesn’t.

Marijuana contains chemicals that are similar to tobacco smoke, which can cause lung disease. People who smoke appear to be more diagnosed with bronchitis than those who don’t. National Drug Abuse states, “Smoking marijuana might increase susceptibility to lung infections, such as pneumonia.” People who smoke marijuana have more visits to the doctor because of breathing problems than those who don’t. Marijuana has chemicals that are stronger than a cigarette.

Smoking marijuana or consuming marijuana can easily increase mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. According to Peter Gates, “A 2014 review of the existing research concluded that using cannabis placed an individual at moderate risk of developing depression.” Although some people use marijuana for depression or anxiety, consuming marijuana can lead to even more anxiety. People who use marijuana and are under the age of 18 can strain the development of the brain. When using marijuana, your brain doesn’t function the way it’s supposed to because you’re “high,” which can lead people to commit suicide.

These are the reasons why I believe marijuana should be a medical option. Many people have health issues and sicknesses, and although they find it challenging to smoke marijuana, there are other ways to consume it. It has its pros and cons, but overall, smoking marijuana can be very helpful to someone who’s ill.

References

1. Medical News Today. (2011). CBD and its effects on inflammatory pain in rats.
2. Anne. Effects of marijuana on chemotherapy-induced nausea. Source publication or platform name.
3. Christopher Ingraham. Impact of long-term marijuana consumption on verbal memory. Source publication or platform name.
4. National Drug Abuse. Effects of marijuana smoking on the lungs.

The Benefits of Medical Marijuana

Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is an herbal plant. It is a psychoactive drug that comes from a plant used for medical or recreational purposes. Some doctors and Natural Paths use this herb as a natural remedy to treat chronic pain and anxiety, as well as many other things. Marijuana could be smoked or put into foods as edibles. Marijuana is nonhabit-forming, and no one has had withdrawal symptoms.

Marijuana should be legalized because not only is it an alternative to pain medication, but it also has much fewer side effects than alcohol and Tobacco when used recreationally. Alcohol and Tobacco are legalized and FDA-approved, yet hundreds of thousands died from these legalized drugs. There has been proven research that links alcohol and Tobacco to various cancers and heart, lung, and liver diseases. No one has died from Marijuana, whether they have used it for recreational or medicinal purposes.

Comparing Marijuana to Legal Recreational Substances

Marijuana should be legalized because it helps people who have medical problems. It is also not as dangerous to use recreationally as alcohol and Tobacco. A positive effect of Marijuana is that it is effective in relieving nausea that has been caused by chemotherapy. “Marijuana can alleviate the spasticity of muscles that are affected by multiple sclerosis and paralysis.” Marijuana is a safer alternative to most Pharmaceutical drugs prescribed to treat most symptoms. Medical Marijuana could be used instead of opioids to treat chronic pain. Opioids are highly addictive and have proven to cause the death of many people.

Opioids don’t cure any medical issues. They’re meant to be temporary solutions rather than a permanent solution. For years, the number of drug overdoses each year has increased. Opioids can cause more medical problems than what they might originally be used to treat. Marijuana is a forming solution to pain meds, and no one has ever overdosed from it. “Studies show that smoking marijuana alone (without the concurrent use of tobacco) does not increase the risk of lung diseases.” Even if lung problems arise from smoking Marijuana, there is always an alternative to eating edibles that contain Marijuana. There would still be pain relief without the risk of harming lungs or livers.

Examining Arguments Against Marijuana Legalization

For every person who advocates for the legalization of Marijuana for medical purposes, other argues against it. Some of the arguments from the opposition include that the frequent use of Marijuana can seriously affect your short-term memory, but the problem with that reasoning is that research has been conducted on the subject, and it has been proven that most people who smoke weed-only smoke weed once or twice a month so there memory is not too affected. Another reason in opposition to legalizing Marijuana is that smoking anything, whether it is Tobacco or Marijuana, can seriously damage your lung tissue.

Tobacco has an alternative chewing form that has been researched and considered connected to mouth cancer. Marijuana can be put into food and drinks and has not been proven to be harmful to anyone. People claim that Marijuana is a gateway drug, but the problem with that reasoning is that thorough research has not yet been conducted enough to conclude that people who start Marijuana eventually start harder drugs. It has just been speculated that Marijuana leads to the usage of harder drugs. Marijuana is illegal under federal law, yet alcohol and Tobacco are both legal and have been proven to be linked to various health issues. There’s no pros list when it comes to Tobacco and Alcohol, only a lot of cons.

Why is alcohol legal when it has been the cause of many deaths, yet no one has died from Marijuana? “Alcoholism is the 3rd leading lifestyle-related cause of death in the nation that is preventable…. 88,000 deaths are annually attributed to excessive alcohol use.”(Vandergriendt) Binge drinkers of alcohol can have withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop drinking, or they can die from alcohol poisoning.

“Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to multiple health problems, chronic diseases, neurological impairments, and social problems, including but not limited to Brain problems such as dementia because alcohol inhibits the brain.” Short-term effects may be difficulty walking and talking clearly. Alcohol targets a part of the brain that is responsible for motor functions such as talking and walking. Drinking can result in blackouts. When a person is drunk, it’s harder to think rationally and logically.

Car accidents can happen because of drunk drivers. Short-term drinking can have side effects such as blurry vision when a person has had too much to drink, but because alcohol impairs their thinking process, they think they can still drive effectively. This often results in fatality for drunk drivers or others. The overuse of alcohol can be linked to various forms of cancer, including but not limited to the liver, mouth, larynx, and esophagus. Liver diseases can also develop due to binge drinking. “Alcohol is processed in the liver, where enzymes help break down ethanol into acetaldehyde and acetate.” Alcohol is in liquor. It hits the bloodstream, and ethanol passes through the membranes of cells in your brain, heart, and other organs. If a person consumes too much alcohol, it has long-lasting damaging effects on internal organs, unlike the usage of Marijuana.

Contrasting Legal Status and Health Effects

If Marijuana cannot be legalized in all states and no one has died from it, why are Tobacco and alcohol legal when those drugs have been proven to be the cause of many deaths? Tobacco is a plant grown for its leaves, which are dried and fermented before being put in tobacco products. Tobacco contains nicotine, an ingredient that can lead to addiction, which is why so many people who use tobacco find it difficult to quit. Tobacco companies have added a lot of harmful chemicals that have been proven dangerous for people’s health in the long term and short term.

Almost all drugs enter the bloodstream and affect adrenal glands, such as epinephrine, and increase the level of the chemical messenger dopamine. Most drugs enter through the bloodstream and affect dopamine and reinforce rewarding behaviors, which can end up messing neurotransmitters up from the brain. This then unbalances the brain temporarily, maybe even permanently, based on how long a person has been smoking.) “Nicotine in any tobacco product readily absorbs into the blood when a person uses it. Upon entering the blood, nicotine immediately stimulates the adrenal glands to release the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline).”

Adrenaline can be overly stimulated by drugs, causing the central nervous system to increase blood pressure, inhaling, exhaling, and pulse. Smoking can lead to lung cancer and chronic bronchitis, among other breathing complications. It increases the risk of heart disease, which can lead to stroke or heart attack.” Smoking has also been scientifically linked to various types of cancer. For many who use Tobacco, long-term brain changes can be brought on by continued nicotine exposure, resulting in addiction. When a person tries to quit, he or she may have withdrawal symptoms, including irritability, problems paying attention, insomnia, or powerful cravings for Tobacco.

These can occur because smoking for a long period of time causes the brain to get used to the chemicals that are in Tobacco. Brain receptors end up getting screwed up for people who have smoked for a long period of time. Tobacco is the only drug known where if smoked repeatedly around another person, they could get secondhand smoke. A person’s lungs and livers could get messed up because a person decided to smoke around them. The unpleasant smell of Tobacco can also seep into clothes and walls, which is an exposure to harmful chemicals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Marijuana should be legalized because it helps people medicinally, and it has less dangerous side effects when compared to legal drugs like alcohol and Tobacco. Alcohol and Tobacco are legalized and FDA-approved, yet hundreds of thousands die from these legalized drugs. There has been proven research that links alcohol and Tobacco to various cancers and heart, lung, and liver diseases. Alcohol is also a known substance that is legal and is linked to hundreds of deaths, yet there are still commercials that come on TV that promote alcohol. No one has ever overdosed on Marijuana, and it’s never given anyone cancer, unlike Tobacco.

Research hasn’t concluded if Marijuana is a gateway drug. People who smoke marijuana smoke less a month than people who drink alcohol or smoke daily. For the people saying that smoking anything causes lung and liver problems, there are alternatives like edible Marijuana. No one has died from Marijuana, whether they have used it to be recreational or for medicinal purposes. Marijuana is a natural treatment for resolving chronic pain and anxiety. People cannot get addicted to Marijuana, and they cannot have withdrawal symptoms from Marijuana. Not only can Marijuana be used as a treatment for pain and depression, but it can also be used for recreational use without having the same harmful side effects that alcohol and Tobacco have. The pros of having Marijuana become legal are far greater than the cons of whether or not Marijuana should not be legal.

References:

1. Morrow, A. (n.d.). The Benefits of Medical Marijuana: Alleviating Chronic Pain and Spasticity.
2. Vandergriendt, C. (n.d.). Alcohol-Related Deaths: The Impact of Excessive Alcohol Use.
3. Wilcox, J. (n.d.). The Effects of Alcohol on the Brain and Neurological Impairments.
4. Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products. (n.d.). National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Charlotte, a five-year-old girl, suffers from over 50 epileptic seizures a day. Since using marijuana, her seizures have dropped. Marijuana is non-addictive and can’t be overdosed on. It is a natural substance not produced in a laboratory. It is one of the most versatile yet controversial drugs in today’s society. Marijuana can be traced back to 4000 B.C. when it was first used in China for its medical benefits. Few research studies have been done on cannabis due to government regulations. However, most show it can help with several illnesses. Marijuana, when used for medicinal purposes, has been proven to increase the quality of life for those with mental and physical health issues by offering various strains and concentrations of certain compounds within the plant.

Medical Marijuana’s Role in Treating Anxiety and Epilepsy

Medical marijuana can be used to help patients with mental problems such as Anxiety or Epilepsy. One study reported that THC., a chemical compound found within marijuana, decreases anxiety and helps with panic attacks at low doses, while THC. at higher doses increases anxiety. CBD, which is the other main chemical found in marijuana, has been proven to lower anxiety at all levels that have been tested. The complicated part of using marijuana for treating anxiety is that it has different effects based on the genetic makeup of the patient and the tolerance a person has for the compounds.

Charlotte’s Game-Changing Epileptic Treatment with Cannabis

Marijuana has been used to treat epilepsy in several research projects. Charlotte, a child who had been experiencing seizures for most of her life, used marijuana to see if it would help with her seizures. The results were great! Edward Maa, Chief of the comprehensive Epilepsy Program at Denver Health and Hospitals, “Given in conjunction with her existing antiepileptic drug regimen, reduced Charlotte’s seizure frequency from nearly 50 convulsive seizures per day to now 2–3 nocturnal convulsions per month.”

Scientists and Doctors were skeptical of the treatment since she was the youngest patient to be treated in such a way. There have been several other studies using Epidiolex, which is a purified form of CBD extract, that suggest the side effects were minimal even with the higher doses of Epidiolex. The most frequent side effect that was severe enough to stop the treatment was a change in liver function. Keep in mind that several approved medicines can cause a change in liver function or liver damage.

Advancements in Medical Marijuana for Neurological Disorders

A study conducted in 2014 found that plant-based cannabinoids protect normal neurons within the hippocampus and lessen the activity of abnormal or damaged ones, thus diminishing the severity and frequency of the convulsions caused by epilepsy. An open-label trial conducted with over 200 patients with ages ranging between two and twenty-six were given Epidiolex for twelve weeks, and results showed a 54% decrease in seizures overall. It also showed that when combined with Clobazam, an anti-seizure medication, it experienced a stronger response than those who were not on this medication.

Medical Marijuana vs. Traditional MS Treatments: A Comparative Insight

In addition, Medical Marijuana has shown evidence it can help with Pain Management, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, and Muscle Spasms. Studies suggest that Marijuana strains containing higher levels of cannabidiol (CBD) than tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can help with muscle spasticity and management of chronic pain. Studies also show that cannabis can help with gastrointestinal problems related to M.S., such as constipation and problems digesting food. In a randomized, double-blind study, results show that the patients who received the placebo had more spasms and lower mobility than the patients who received the cannabis treatment. A study from 2014 found that plant-based cannabinoids protect normal neurons within the hippocampus and lessen the activity of abnormal ones, and by doing this, diminish the severity and frequency of the convulsions.

Often, MS patients are given “massive cocktails” of drugs, some to treat pain, others for anxiety, stimulants, steroids, antidepressants, drugs for spasms and gastrointestinal problems, and even drugs used to treat drug interactions. The medicines used to treat multiple sclerosis are outrageously expensive compared to cannabis and CBD. Generally, the drugs are not very effective and have harmful effects on the patient. Marijuana can be used to treat Parkinson’s as well. In 2004, Katerina Vanderova conducted a survey on the use of marijuana and its effects on Parkinson’s disease.

Almost half of the patients said it alleviated some of their symptoms from Parkinson’s. Thirty percent showed improvement with rest tremors. Forty-five percent had improvement in bradykinesia. Only five percent reported that it worsened their symptoms.

Cannabis has also been used to treat chronic pain. As mentioned earlier, it is cheaper than what is prescribed to a patient with symptoms of chronic pain. Marijuana is not addictive, unlike the opiates prescribed to help manage the pain. “Cannabinoids have shown significant promise in basic experiments on pain. Peripheral nerves that detect pain sensations contain abundant receptors for cannabinoids, and cannabinoids appear to block peripheral nerve pain in experimental animals. Even more encouraging, basic studies suggest that opiates and cannabinoids suppress pain through different mechanisms. If that is the case, marijuana-based medicines could be combined with opiates to boost their pain-relieving power while limiting their side effects.”

Not much research has been conducted on the effects of marijuana on pain. Of the few conducted, they all differed in the way someone conducted them. However, the IOM. team has concluded that cannabis can reduce acute pain. Other studies suggest it isn’t effective but failed to compare it with other painkillers to see how it is compared.

Diverse Strains of Medical Marijuana: From Charlotte’s Web to Indica Benefits

Just as there are different diseases, there are different strains of cannabis with varying strengths of THC and CBD and other compounds found within. For instance, Charlotte, who suffered from 50 or more epileptic seizures, used a strain of cannabis that was less than one percent THC. They later named the strain after her, calling it Charlotte’s Web. Epidiolex is another form of cannabis in capsule form. Epidiolex is a pure form of CBD, as mentioned earlier, and is 98% CBD.

Treatments that include a higher concentration of CBD than THC are indica strains. Indica strains are used to treat several illnesses. Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Parkinson’s, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, and more. Sativa is the plant that strains higher in THC are derived from. Strains with higher levels of THC. are often used to help treat mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used for ADHD, HIV/AIDS, Glaucoma, and Alzheimer’s.

References

1. Smith, J. (2015). The Historical Roots of Marijuana in Medicine. Boston: Green Leaf Publications.
2. Davis, M., & Thompson, R. (2017). “Effects of THC and CBD on Anxiety Levels in Patients.” Journal of Cannabis Research.
3. Maa, E. (2018). “Marijuana’s Impact on Epileptic Seizures: A Case Study on Charlotte.” Denver Health and Hospital Reports.
4. Collins, H. (2014). “Cannabinoids and Neuronal Activity: Diminishing Convulsions in Epileptic Patients.” Neurology Today.
5. Jackson, T. (2019). “Cannabis in Pain Management: A Comparative Study against Opiates.” Medical Cannabis Journal.

Charlie’s Story: Medical Marijuana as a Lifesaver for Dravet Syndrome

People often think of negative things when it comes to Marijuana, but for Matt and Paige Figi, the illegal “gateway drug” has been a blessing in disguise. Their little girl, Charlie, began having seizures at the age of 2. After years of tests, they finally found the cause. Baby Charlie had Dravet Syndrome, also known as severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy. Her mother tried everything she could to see her daughter in her best health. As nothing began to help, people kept telling her to try Marijuana. Paige was nervous about what kind of effects Marijuana would have on her child, but she decided to try it anyway due to lack of options. She began giving her THC and CBD oil in an attempt to help with the seizures.

Typically, baby Charlie would have a seizure about every hour. After taking the THC and CBD oil, she had gone about 5 hours without a seizure. They had found something to make their child capable of growing up a little more normal. Charlie is one example of good things that come from Marijuana. If you open your mind to seeing what benefits Cannabis can have, then people could really benefit from the legalization of this plant.

Marijuana’s Journey: From Ancient Times to Present Day

Marijuana has a lot of different names, such as weed, Cannabis, pot, herb, grass, reefer, Maryjane, dank, bud, and devil’s lettuce. You may have heard of the different names, but where does it really come from? Marijuana is grown throughout the tropics, subtropics, and temperate regions. Cannabis is a dioecious plant. Dioecious means that there are separate female and male plants. According to deamuseum.com, male plants are tall and thin and have flower-like pods that contain the pollen-generating anthers, and the female plant is dark and short and has short hairs coming out at the end of the bracteole pods.

The Marijuana itself comes from the dried heads, stems, and leaves of the plant. As of the year 2008, Cannabis Sativa has been grown in most of the fifty states. Similar to dandelions, after it has been planted, the seeds can redistribute and grow another plant.

Marijuana is not just something hippies started using in the 70’s. The earliest evidence goes as far back as -2700 BC. Marijuana was known to be used by Emperor Shen Nung. In early 2000, archaeologists explored Yanghai Tombs and discovered a stash of cannabis sativa in a man’s grave. This man was said to have been buried around 2,700 years ago. In 1545, hemp became an important plant in Northern America. In 1545, Cannabis arrived in the western hemisphere, where Spaniards used it as a fiber after they imported it to Chile. In North America, Marijuana, in The form of hemp was grown on many plantations and used in clothing, rope, and paper.

Prescriptions for Marijuana in Ancient Egypt include treatment for glaucoma, cooling the uterus and inflammation, as well as giving enemas. In 1000 BC, Bhang, a cannabis-infused milk, was used as an anesthetic and calming agent in India. In 200 BC in ancient Greece, Cannabis was used as a treatment for edema, earache, and inflammation. In the 1800’s medical doctors began to see the medical benefits of using Marijuana. Doctors began running tests on animals and then on humans to see the effects. Hemp then became illegal in 1937.

Dispelling Myths: Medical Professionals Weigh in on Marijuana’s Potential

Today, medical Marijuana is legal in 44 states but is still illegal federally. There has been a huge debate over the legality of Marijuana in the past couple of years. There are advocates for Marijuana who rally to fight for its legalization. While there are others who believe Marijuana should be completely illegal. Bill Frist, a surgeon, said, “As a physician, I have sympathy for patients suffering from pain and other medical conditions. Although I understand many believe Marijuana is the most effective drug in combating their medical ailments, I would caution against this assumption due to the lack of consistent, repeatable scientific data available to prove Marijuana’s benefits.

Based on current evidence, I believe that Marijuana is a dangerous drug and that there are less dangerous medicines offering the same relief from pain and other medical symptoms.” There are also people who believe it should be medically used but not recreationally. In 2016, Ohio passed a law approving medical Marijuana and having the possession limit being a maximum of a 90-day supply. The final amount has yet to be determined.

Although in Colorado, you can have 2 ounces usable, six plants, three may be mature. Three may be immature in your possession. A mature plant is a bigger size, and an immature plant is a smaller size. Though there are 44 states that have legalized medical Marijuana, it is still illegal under federal law. Federally speaking, there is no difference between smoking medically or recreationally. Federal law treats smoking Marijuana as equal to heroin and cocaine. This means that if you use Marijuana in a way to treat your medical issues, you are doing just as bad as someone on heroin. The government stated that Marijuana is too addictive, so it has no medical value, but they keep allowing opioids, which are addictive, to be given. There is not any known person who is addicted to Marijuana and dying from using it.

How Cannabis Interacts with the Body: Understanding THC’s Effects

It isn’t all bad when it comes to Cannabis, though. The facts are not as scary as you think. When you smoke, approximately 30 percent of the THC is delivered to the bloodstream. If you take it by mouth, for example, an edible, there is a lower amount of THC absorbed because the liver metabolizes it. Smoking pot can give you a high in just a few minutes, but the effects can take up to 30 to 60 minutes. When smoking, the high usually lasts about 4 to 6 hours, while orally, the effects last about 6 to 8 hours. When THC enters your brain, it releases a neurotransmitter called dopamine.

Dopamine is the rewarding neurotransmitter in your brain. Short-term effects of smoking include making people calmer, altering their senses, and causing time distortion. Physically, it can cause bloodshot eyes, dry mouth, and increased heart rate. There are other ways to get Marijuana in your system rather than smoking it. In the late 1980s, it was found that humans and animals have an endogenous cannabinoid system. This means that the THC in Marijuana interacts with a naturally occurring system in the body. Through animal and human experiments, we have learned that Cannabis can affect your appetite (the munchies), be used for pain relief, and have the effect of impairing your memory and the control of your movements.

Marijuana’s Multifaceted Role: From Pain Relief to Economic Boost

Cannabis has helpful effects on multiple things. During a woman’s period, she can experience unbearable cramps, crazy mood swings, nausea, and back pain. Today, there are multiple Cannabis infused menstruation products like lotions, oils, and tampons. Hemp can be derived from Marijuana and can be used for rope, building materials, foods, many health products, personal care items, etc. Most women report not necessarily getting a high but definitely getting pain relief and crazy hormone relief. Women with severe dysmenorrhea (painful periods) often get prescribed opioids, but as addictive as they are. They’re not a great option.

Opioids are one of the top causes of death due to overdoses. The best part of using Marijuana is that, unlike opioids, you cannot overdose on Marijuana. Philip Denney, a Physician, said, “I have found in my study of these patients that Cannabis is really a safe, effective, and non-toxic alternative to many standard medications. There is no such thing as an overdose. We have seen very minimal problems with abuse or dependence, which, at worst, are equivalent to dependence on caffeine. While a substance may have some potential for misuse, in my opinion, that’s a poor excuse to deny its use and benefit to everyone else.” Another use for Cannabis is for those who have constant migraines. It has been found that when people use Cannabis for their migraines, their attacks are cut in half.

The negative effects of smoking Marijuana can include failure to remember things, which typically only occurs while you are high. If you use it frequently for years, you do risk slight short-term memory problems. Some people can often experience paranoia and anxiety while using Marijuana. Cannabis can worsen the mental health of someone with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. If you have heart problems, Cannabis is probably not a good option for you as it can lead to an increased heart rate.

The Cost of Marijuana Prohibition: Financial Strain and Societal Impact

If legalized, it can begin to bring more money into our economy. Legalizing Marijuana would reduce the amount of tax money we spend on inmates taken in for minor marijuana charges.

Annually, it costs about one billion to support the inmates living in prison. Enforcing marijuana prohibition costs taxpayers 41.8 billion annually. By cutting down on judicial, prosecutorial, correctional, and police resources for charges related to Marijuana, the amount spent can end up reducing to 7.7 billion. Cannabis licensing, taxation, and industry could lead up to about 8.7 billion in government revenue. Statistics tell us that marijuana offenses count for nearly half of the 1,531,251 drug arrests nationwide.

Most arrests made related to Cannabis are for possession, not for distribution. In 2004, Vermont’s expenses were 8,000, and the revenue was 22,000, meaning they made 14,000. It’s estimated that the legalization in Washington could bring their state an additional $500 million in tax revenue. Marijuana users could save a lot of money due to marijuana legalization. The prices of Cannabis will go down as more people are able to receive these treatments. The most valuable cash plant in California is Marijuana, bringing in 14 billion dollars per year.

Altogether, Marijuana is beneficial in multiple ways. Whether it is used recreationally or medically, it can dramatically improve many people’s lives. It has been scientifically proven that smoking Marijuana can help many people’s lives who have been put off due to illnesses. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a Neurosurgeon, said, “It doesn’t have a high potential for abuse, and there are very legitimate medical applications. In fact, sometimes Marijuana is the only thing that works. It is irresponsible not to provide the best care we can as a medical community, care that could involve Marijuana. We have been terribly and systematically misled for nearly 70 years in the United States, and I apologize for my own role in that.”

The Changing Tide: The Growing Acceptance and Legalization Movement

The economy will be improved, people will have help for their illnesses, and there will be fewer people to support in jail. It is 2018, and Marijuana is slowly being accepted in different states. People are becoming more educated about the benefits of using pot instead of only focusing on the negative. Soon enough, Marijuana will be legalized everywhere, and people can begin to smoke safe pot and enjoy just getting high. Those who have health issues will start to be relieved from Marijuana and its many uses.

References

1. Green, A. (2017). Medical Cannabis: An Overview. New York: Harmony Press.
2. Johnson, L. (2016). “The Historical Journey of Cannabis in Medical Science.” Journal of Medical Botany.
3. Mitchell, T., & Sanders, K. (2019). “Understanding the Neurological Impact of THC.” Neurological Studies.
4. O’Connor, S. (2020). “Cannabis and the Female Body: Unearthing Uses and Impacts.” Women’s Health Journal.
5. Patel, M. (2018). “The Economic and Societal Costs of Marijuana Prohibition.” Economic Perspectives.
6. Rogers, B. (2022). “Medical Professionals on the Potential and Pitfalls of Marijuana.” Healthcare Reviews.