The Blunt Truth
The Blunt Truth
Should marijuana be legalized? The legalization of marijuana is currently one of the most controversial issues in the United States today. To answer this question it entails more than just and simple “yes” or “no”. There are a variety of reasons as to why someone would want to use this decriminalized plant, which is the result of the nationwide debate of legalization. Medical uses seem to be the most looked at area of this debate. Many doctors will support the use of marijuana because of its benefits to their suffering patients. Others will argue that the long term health effects and abuse risks are not too alluring. In the book “Understanding Marijuana” by Mitch Earleywine, Woody & MacFadden state that 200 to 300 million people report smoking marijuana in 1999. This leads to another valid question; with the amount of arrests involving marijuana, what could it do for our economy if legalized? The popularity in medical marijuana has drastically climbed because of its aids to many disorders and diseases. The plant consistently appeared in pharmacopoeia and folk medicine as a treatment for pain, seizure, muscle spasm, poor appetite, nausea, insomnia, asthma, and depression. It also has reports of alleviating labor pains and menstrual cramps in multiple medical reports from ancient to present (Earleywine). If we have had knowledge of marijuana being helpful in the past why are we still using drugs that are stronger and more dangerous like morphine and other pain killers that are legal to prescribe? It is known that marijuana does not impair lung function and can even increase lung capacity. Also one chemical found in marijuana, called cannabidiol, prevents cancer from spreading. Medical marijuana use has surged in the 16 states and the District of Columbia that allow its use (New York Times). Main reasons are for Glaucoma, Cancer, ADD and ADHD, Crohn’s, and even Alzheimer’s.
Along with many benefits people who do not support the
Should marijuana be legalized? The legalization of marijuana is currently one of the most controversial issues in the United States today. To answer this question it entails more than just and simple “yes” or “no”. There are a variety of reasons as to why someone would want to use this decriminalized plant, which is the result of the nationwide debate of legalization. Medical uses seem to be the most looked at area of this debate. Many doctors will support the use of marijuana because of its benefits to their suffering patients. Others will argue that the long term health effects and abuse risks are not too alluring. In the book “Understanding Marijuana” by Mitch Earleywine, Woody & MacFadden state that 200 to 300 million people report smoking marijuana in 1999. This leads to another valid question; with the amount of arrests involving marijuana, what could it do for our economy if legalized? The popularity in medical marijuana has drastically climbed because of its aids to many disorders and diseases. The plant consistently appeared in pharmacopoeia and folk medicine as a treatment for pain, seizure, muscle spasm, poor appetite, nausea, insomnia, asthma, and depression. It also has reports of alleviating labor pains and menstrual cramps in multiple medical reports from ancient to present (Earleywine). If we have had knowledge of marijuana being helpful in the past why are we still using drugs that are stronger and more dangerous like morphine and other pain killers that are legal to prescribe? It is known that marijuana does not impair lung function and can even increase lung capacity. Also one chemical found in marijuana, called cannabidiol, prevents cancer from spreading. Medical marijuana use has surged in the 16 states and the District of Columbia that allow its use (New York Times). Main reasons are for Glaucoma, Cancer, ADD and ADHD, Crohn’s, and even Alzheimer’s.
Along with many benefits people who do not support the
Cited: "Basic Facts on Unemployment." Basic Facts on Unemployment. © 2010 Urban Institute, 08 June 2010. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. Cathy Payne and Michelle Healy. "Marijuana 's Health Effects: Memory Problems, Addiction." USA Today. Gannett, 7 Dec. 2012. Web. 03 Feb. 2013. Earleywine, Mitchell. Understanding Marijuana: A New Look at the Scientific Evidence. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2002. Print. "Marijuana and Medical Marijuana." New York Times. The New York Times, 7 Dec. 2012. Web. 03 Feb. 2013. Milton Friedman. "There 's No Justice in the War On Drugs." There 's No Justice in the War On Drugs. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2013. "The Cost of a Nation of Incarceration." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 22 Apr. 2012. Web. 13 Feb. 2013.