Marijuana has a compound called cannabinoids (CBD)that relieves pain from chronic
conditions such as arthritis, migraine, endometriosis, and fibromyalgia. Patients with diseases
like Tourette syndrome, Parkinson's, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and other conditions like
insomnia and anxiety, use Marijuana to treat and manage the diseases and conditions. Besides,
Marijuana is also a good alternative for recreation. However, excessive use of Marijuana has
stimulating and depressant effects, and sometimes users experience hallucinations (Cherney).
Marijuana cuts across political, social, and economic divides, and that is why it has elicited
heated discussions about its legalization. Basing the argument on the pros and cons of Marijuana,
it is clear that benefits supersede the disadvantages, and for that reason, Marijuana should be
legalized.
Arguments supporting the legalization of Marijuana
From a medical perspective, there are many benefits mentioned above, and it has led to
the creation of medical Marijuana. Other researchers have downplayed the use of Marijuana in
the medical field, promoting the dangerous effects on people's health. Still, they have failed to
provide enough evidence to support their claims. In the U.S., by 2019, over 30 states had
legalized the use of Marijuana for recreational and medical purposes. The federal government
still holds that Marijuana is illegal under the 1970 Act of Controlled Substances (Frye and
Smitherman).
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Marijuana has significant economic benefits because of its ready market. If all the states
make it legal, it will create revenue for the states and the federal government and create more
jobs, industries, and many other investment opportunities. In 2019, the world's revenue increased
by 45.7%, almost hitting the $15 billion mark in sales according to research by Adams and
Arrington of B.D. Analytics. In the U.S, Colorado state, led in marijuana revenue, accumulating
over $300 million in fees and taxes. One can imagine what kind of income the federal
government can earn if it legalizes Marijuana, given that the U.S. is the largest market for
Marijuana in the world, with projected revenue of over $30 billion by 2024.
Marijuana on social aspects
An article by Susan Gunelius quoted Vittert, an Assistant Professor in Statistics
addressing the social impact of Marijuana in St. Louis in the U.S. in 2018.
"There is no doubt that states which allow medical Marijuana show no increase in their
violent and non-violent crime statistics. Crime might decrease."
The author further observes the reduction of crime rates in the states that legalized Marijuana.
For example, Washington D.C. legalized Marijuana in 2014, and the number of arrests on
possession of Marijuana came down to 99% in 3 years from 2013. Filings in courts decreased by
76% from 2012 to 2015 since Colorado legalized Marijuana in 2012. Youths have also reported a
decrease in marijuana abuse since its legalization in some states. More teens stayed in school to
graduation, and the rate of drop-outs significantly decreased in states that legalized Marijuana.
Arguments against the legalization of Marijuana
Marijuana has severe cognitive effects on its users. Critics of Marijuana assert that it
makes people lose their intelligence, memory loss, body-coordination issues that have caused
many accidents, especially when a driver is intoxicated. Marijuana has various consumption,
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such as inhaling, eating through other foodstuffs, drinking, and smoking. Through smoking,
medical practitioners argue that the smoke is as dangerous as nicotine from cigarettes, affecting
the lungs, causing diseases. Pharmacodynamics is another condition caused by Marijuana after a
long time of use since it stays in the human system for long. Expectant mothers are also at risk of
giving birth to mentally-disturbed children if they are using Marijuana. Other serious factors that
users of marijuana experience include Schizophrenia and many other psychotic disorders.
Legalizing Marijuana will encourage many other new users and generally increase the number of
users. Addiction and substance abuse are inevitable if people can access Marijuana without state
or federal control (Gardenier et al.)
Comparison of the two arguments
Legalizing Marijuana is beneficial in many ways. Supporting arguments have highlighted
the medical, economic, and social advantages that Marijuana brings to society. Medical
Marijuana is taking effect across many states, and people are reaping its benefits. Critics have a
point in addiction problems, but that can be regulated. Moderating the use, and advising the
youth and other users about the right dosages can control excessive use of Marijuana. Another
opposing point cited that if Marijuana is legalized, it will expand the user-base, and increase the
intoxication levels. The argument is not valid from the perspective that freedom when there is
limited access to something; people tend to abuse more than when there is freedom backed by
legal policy. Drivers have caused accidents under the influence of Marijuana. Still, those are just
a few cases rampant in the users of alcohol, opioids, and other hard substances like heroin and
cocaine. Legalizing Marijuana will not increase the number of drivers causing accidents after
consuming the weed.
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Conclusion
The debate on the legalization of Marijuana should now end because of its massive
benefits. People should have the freedom to consume natural herb without any restrictions. In the
medical field, it has proven that it can help in treating and managing many ailments. Legalizing
Marijuana will create employment, as it brings revenue and improves the country's economic
situation and the whole country. When used moderately, it can prevent addiction problems,
accidents, crimes, and other issues associated with its consumption. There are no reported cases
of people who succumbed to marijuana overdose, making it the safest substance, either
medically or for recreational purposes.
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Word cited
Cherney, Kristeen. "What Are the Benefits of Marijuana?" Healthline, Healthline Media, 6 Jan.
2020, www.healthline.com/health/medical-marijuana/benefits-of-marijuana.
Frye, Patricia C., and Dave Smitherman. The Medical Marijuana Guide: Cannabis and Your
Health. Rowman & Littlefield, 2018.
Adams, Tom, and Michael Arrington. "2019 Was a Big Year for Legal Cannabis." BDSA, 31
Jan. 2020, bdsa.com/2019-was-a-big-year-for-legal-cannabis/.
Gunelius, Susan. "The Social Impact of Marijuana Legalization in the United States." Cannabiz
Media, 5 July, 2019, cannabiz. media/the-social-impact-of-marijuana-legalization-in-the-
united-states/.
Gardenier, Donald, et al. "Should Marijuana Be Legalized?" The Journal for Nurse
Practitioners, vol. 13, no. 2, Feb. 2017, pp. 116–17, DOI:10.1016/j.nurpra.2016.12.008.