Argumentative Essay: The Legacy Of Medical Marijuana

Marijuana’s Legacy When asked to think of the legacy that one wants to leave on the world, many would think to end an issue such as famine or poverty; some may even think to look to gun control or finding a way to end terrorism. Nevertheless, a major legacy that we are overlooking is one that may affect people’s mental and physical health in a beneficial manner. It has been around since as early as 2737 B.C. when China’s mystical Emperor Shen Neng would prescribe it for the treatment of malaria, gout, and rheumatism (O'Connell). In the past few decades, doctors have revisited the idea of harnessing the plants natural medicinal properties to treat current and furure generations alike. Being that it can treat a variety of mental disorders and physical diseases and illnesses, medical cannabis may leave one of the greatest legacies of our generation.
It was one of the top three most prescribed medicines until its prohibition in 1937; at the federal level, under the Controlled Substances Act, marijuana is still classified as a Schedule I substance. Though illegal, the research on its medicinal purposes still continued (Genetic Science Learning Center). Throughout the past few decades, it has begun to be relegalized for medicinal and in some states, recreational purposes. For example, Colorado, Alaska, California, and Delaware are just a few of the states that allow patients to sign up for a registry card and get medical marijuana from a dispensary. In order to qualify for the registry card, patients must have one or more of the illness that make them qualify for the medicine such as seizures, AIDS, migraines, inflammation, multiple sclerosis, mental disorders, or cancer. Research and trials have already proven that the substance can greatly assist in cases in which patients have nowhere left to