Medical Marijuana
Drew Beavan
Professor Hoffman
English 103
10 November 2013
The Great Debate over Medical Marijuana Over many years and especially in recent times people have been debating whether or not marijuana should be legalized for medical use. Those who support legalization claim that marijuana has legitimate medical benefits. Many argue that marijuana is a better alternative than pills because it is less addictive and no known marijuana overdoses have been reported, as opposed to the numerous that are reported with prescription drugs every day. Many advocates have also come up with plans to tax and regulate the purchase of cannabis. This tax is supposed to help boost the economy of the state. Those who are opposed to the legalization of medicinal marijuana argue that marijuana is a gateway drug. This means that once people try using marijuana, they will want to experiment with other drugs which are usually much more dangerous. Also, marijuana is considered a schedule one drug. This means that it does not have any medicinal value. While many people know that marijuana does indeed have medicinal value, it remains a schedule one drug. Marijuana should be legalized for medical use in The United States because it has numerous medical benefits, it’s a much safer alternative to many prescription drugs, and it will generate tax revenue. For thousands of years humans have been using the cannabis plant. The cannabis plant has numerous benefits. It has been recorded to have been used in food by the Ancient Chinese. It can be used to make clothing, rope, necklaces, and bracelets. And of course, it has been consumed in a variety of different ways. Marijuana was first smoked mainly during religious ceremonies. Over time, civilizations like the Chinese began to experiment with using cannabis as an herbal medicine. Armies would smoke marijuana before going into battle in order to calm themselves down so they didn’t panic while fighting. Later, starting in 1915, in the United
Professor Hoffman
English 103
10 November 2013
The Great Debate over Medical Marijuana Over many years and especially in recent times people have been debating whether or not marijuana should be legalized for medical use. Those who support legalization claim that marijuana has legitimate medical benefits. Many argue that marijuana is a better alternative than pills because it is less addictive and no known marijuana overdoses have been reported, as opposed to the numerous that are reported with prescription drugs every day. Many advocates have also come up with plans to tax and regulate the purchase of cannabis. This tax is supposed to help boost the economy of the state. Those who are opposed to the legalization of medicinal marijuana argue that marijuana is a gateway drug. This means that once people try using marijuana, they will want to experiment with other drugs which are usually much more dangerous. Also, marijuana is considered a schedule one drug. This means that it does not have any medicinal value. While many people know that marijuana does indeed have medicinal value, it remains a schedule one drug. Marijuana should be legalized for medical use in The United States because it has numerous medical benefits, it’s a much safer alternative to many prescription drugs, and it will generate tax revenue. For thousands of years humans have been using the cannabis plant. The cannabis plant has numerous benefits. It has been recorded to have been used in food by the Ancient Chinese. It can be used to make clothing, rope, necklaces, and bracelets. And of course, it has been consumed in a variety of different ways. Marijuana was first smoked mainly during religious ceremonies. Over time, civilizations like the Chinese began to experiment with using cannabis as an herbal medicine. Armies would smoke marijuana before going into battle in order to calm themselves down so they didn’t panic while fighting. Later, starting in 1915, in the United