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Legalizing medical and recreational Marijuana

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Legalizing medical and recreational Marijuana

Introduction
Marijuana, also known as Cannabis, is a natural unprocessed narcotic drug that has been
used as a recreational drug by millions of individuals. The term medical marijuana refers to two
extracts from the whole unprocessed plant. It involves the extraction of marijuana extracts from
the plant or the use of the whole plant to treat illnesses. Marijuana plant has more than a hundred
cannabinoids with each posing a different impact on the body. The two common useful
cannabinoids in medicine include CBD and THC. Medical marijuana may be smoked, eaten
informs of cookies or candies vaporized to taken as a liquid extract. On the other hand,
recreational marijuana refers to the use of marijuana for personal pleasure rather than medical
use. The debate on legalizing Marijuana ha is not a new one, and just like any other topics, there
are advantages and disadvantages that come with it. While some individuals supporting its
legalization support their claim with health and economic benefits, and those against its
legalization claim that legalizing recreational marijuana could pose negative public health
impacts. Although there are negative effects of legalizing medical and recreational marijuana,
marijuana should be legalized because its benefits outweigh the cons that come along with
legalizing it.
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Background
While some countries are against the idea of legalizing marijuana, there are countries
where marijuana has been legalized. Medical marijuana has been legalized in Israel, Jamaica
Canada, Netherlands and some states in the United States. In the United States, marijuana has
been legalized in twenty-three states, with majority of the states legalizing it for medical reasons,
while only four states have legalized recreational use of marijuana (Kumari,2020). In Canada,
individuals above eighteen years age can carry up to thirty grams of marijuana either in its dried
or non-dried form. Such individuals can also grow up to four marijuana plants in their homes. In
2015, Jamaica decriminalized weed, in Jamaica, the use of marijuana both for religious and
medical purposes is allowed. Also, if an individual is a Rastafarian, hey are allowed to use
unlimited quantities of marijuana without any repercussions. Uruguay was one of the first
countries to legalize the use of marijuana for recreational purposes. In Uruguay, individuals can
purchase recreational marijuana from pharmacies. However, buyers are required to register with
a regulator.
Cons of legalizing marijuana
There are various reasons why Marijuana should not be legalized. The negative health
consequences of cannabis are often not included in the debate over legalizing marijuana or
recreational purposes. In most events, the negative effect is mostly realized in youths and young
adolescents. A growing number of populations believe the myth that Marijuana is not addictive.
However, data from various studies show that about 10% of individuals who use Marijuana have
become addicted to the substance (Wilkinson, 2013). In the United States, marijuana is currently
the leading cause of substance dependence, other than alcohol. In 2008 for instance about 4.2
million individuals out of seven million individuals aged twelve years an above were suffering
from Marijuana abuse or dependence. The statistics showed that about a third of the American
population suffering from substance use disorders were suffering from marijuana abuse or
dependence (CNBC,2010). Marijuana abusers hardly recognize the difference between legal and
illegal marijuana. Individuals who seek treatment for marijuana addiction average to ten years of
daily use. These individuals suffer from a withdrawal symptom, usually consisting of insomnia,
changes in appetite, anxiety, depression, restlessness and insomnia. Although the addictive
potential of marijuana might be less than that of other opiates, the belief that cannabis is not
addictive, especially among adolescents is misguided.
In addition to addiction, marijuana also has other adverse effects on human health.
According to the American College of Pediatricians, marijuana has negative effects on an
adolescent’s brain and is a risk for both testicular cancer and cardio-respiratory diseases. It is
also associated with psychiatric illnesses and negative social outcomes (American College of
Pediatricians, 2018). Studies show that teenagers who begin smoking marijuana at an early age
are more likely to engage in other forms of marijuana abuse such as vapor and edibles leading to
the misuse of the drug. The organization also notes that there is little scientific evidence to
support the use of medical marijuana. At the same time, a number of studies show a relationship
between marijuana use and mental illness. The main active chemical in cannabis is delta-9-
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (American College of Pediatricians, 2018). When an individual
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smokes marijuana, THC passes from the lungs to the bloodstream and is carried to the brain and
other body parts.
The chemical is also slowly absorbed when ingested in food and act on the cannabinoid
receptors in the brain cells. These receptors have a crucial role in normal brain development and
functioning. The highest number of these receptors are found in brain parts that influence an
individual’s concentration, memory, pleasure, thinking and coordinated movement. The use of
marijuana over activates the receptors causing negative effects on a user’s experience (American
College of Pediatricians, 2018). These effects include disrupted memory, impaired judgement,
balance and reaction to time, psychotic symptoms, distorted perceptions as well as difficulties in
thinking and problem solving. Moreover, marijuana use at a young age is likely to lead to a
heightened response to other substances, paving way for addictions to other drugs later in their
adulthood. Consistent use of marijuana is also corelated with anxiety and depression. However, a
causal relationship between the two is yet to be established.
In addition, some individuals argue that prescribing marijuana without enough evidence
of its health benefits is a dangerous strategy. There is still limited evidence on the wide use of
cannabis to treat diseases. Various studies show that the use of marijuana among HIV/AIDS
patients is dangerous because it damages their immune system. Marijuana is also associated with
lung damage and lung infections. A study conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of marijuana in
treating epilepsy, only 2% of epileptologists and neurologists agreed with the use of cannabis to
treat epilepsy symptoms (Mathern et al., 2014). Respondents in the study noted that marijuana
could only be used to treat epilepsy only with a prescription from a health professional and under
the supervision of a medical officer. The study also concluded that there is no enough data on the
use of medical marijuana hence the drug should not be prescribed without further research.
Pros of legalizing marijuana
Some of the reasons why marijuana should be legalized includes its health benefits to
patients. Cannabis contains THC and CBD, two cannabinoids which have medicinal effects on
patients. For instance, THC reduces nausea, inflammation and reduces pain. Marijuana has been
found to be very useful in reducing nausea and vomiting among patients undergoing
chemotherapy. In a study conducted in the 1970s, it was found out that marijuana provides
immediate relief from migraines, vomiting and nausea among chemotherapy patients. In
addition, THC is also used to control and treat mental illnesses, addictions and seizures.
Cannabis contains delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, which has mixed effects when treating
epilepsy and cannabidiol which has shown consistent anticonvulsant effects (Nebraska,2015).
Among the twenty-three states that have legalized the use of marijuana, twenty-two states have
approved it for seizure treatments. Patients using cannabis are also less likely to report
withdrawal symptoms. Moreover, compared to other drugs, there are no documented incidences
of marijuana overdose hence the chances of deaths due to excessive use of marijuana are
unlikely. The second useful cannabinoid in marijuana is the CBD. The chemical does not provide
a marijuana user with a “high” feeling. Instead, it is used in the treatment of severe and chronic
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pain, inflammation as well in controlling epileptic seizures. Recently, it has also been used to
reduce anxiety and depression among patients with psychiatric disorders.
Patients dealing with psychiatric disorders use marijuana to treat symptoms such as
anxiety, depression, insomnia, chronic pain and bipolar disorder among others. Reports also
show that patients use marijuana or neurological conditions which are unresponsive to standard
therapies such as agitation in dementia, seizures and multiple sclerosis (Fichtner &Moss,2017).
According to a report by the National Academy, there is moderate evidence of a correlation
between marijuana use and better cognitive performance among people with psychotic disorders.
Scientific evidence has also proven that cannabis may suppress neuronal excitotoxicity and
neuroinflammation hence is potentially useful in targeting plaque formation in Alzheimer
disease.
Statistics gathered from a 2019 CBS News Poll show that about two in every three
Americans supports the legalization of recreational marijuana (Crocker,2011). One of the main
reasons why there has been a sudden shift in favor of legalizing marijuana is the huge revenue
that the first two states to legalize marijuana have generated from recreational marijuana.
Legalizing marijuana in the United States could generate approximately $22 billion within four
years. Marijuana has an estimated market of about thirty billion dollars which is a great business
opportunity for the country. Once legalized, cannabis will be regulated the same way the country
regulates alcohol. The government would establish age limits, taxation and DUI laws that have
worked in states that have already legalization marijuana for recreational use. For instances in
states such as Colorado and Washington where necessary steps have been taken in terms of
legalizing marijuana, an estimated profit of about $310 million in Washington and $100 million
in Colorado has been witnessed. Moreover, legalizing marijuana will open up opportunities for
agricultural expansion and employment starting from its production, marketing and
transportation.
Moreover, although there is no enough evidence, research claims that legalizing
marijuana will lead to a decrease in opioid prescription problems. Opioids are drugs used to treat
patients suffering from chronic pain. In the United States, it is estimated that about 25 million
individuals suffer from chronic pain while about twenty-three million experience severe
recurrent pain. In the past few decades, there has been an increased number of opioid
prescriptions to manage the pain. In some states, legalization of marijuana has been adopted as a
policy intervention to control the opioid epidemic under the premise that both drugs are
substitutive substances (Chihuri &Li, 2019). In most cases, patients who have substituted their
opioid prescription with marijuana have reported that marijuana has a greater effect in relieving
their pain compared to other forms of medication at the same time, statistics from eight studies
show that substitution of marijuana for Opioid prescriptions among patients in states where
marijuana is legalized led to a decrease in opioid overdose rates and a reduction in opioid-related
outcomes (Wendelboe et al., 2019). However, it is important to note that there is mixed evidence
regarding the impact of cannabis legislation and prescription of opioid-related outcomes.
Marijuana should be legalized both for recreational and medical uses. If cannabis is legal
for both uses, law enforcement agencies and prisons will not be overworked. At the same time,
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resources used to arrest marijuana abusers would be used as revenue hence improve the
country’s economy. Similarly, the resources could be used to fund education, healthcare and
other social services. The American Civil Liberties Union estimates that every year, the U.S
federal government uses approximately $3.16 billion to enhance marijuana laws. However, if the
government legalizes the use of marijuana, not only will the exercise dollars greatly improve the
country’s economy, but also turn the federal deficit around within no time. In 2018, about
663,000 individuals in the United States were arrested with cannabis-related charges. Among
them 603, 000 had been arrested for only possessing the drug (Jorgenson, 2020). The average
cost for housing inmates ranges from about thirty thousand dollars to thirty-five thousand dollars
every year. Therefore, if 603, 000 of these arrests were in only for possessing the drug, then it
means that police officers are only arresting recreational users and not drug dealers. In addition,
each of the arrests need to undergo a costly court system and often about 85% of the arrests end
up incarcerated. The total costs used for the arrests on marijuana crimes alone every year, is
likely to be around $ 6000,000,000 to 3, 000,000,000, an amount that could be used to build the
country’s economy.
In conclusion, marijuana should be legalized both for medicinal and recreational
purposes. . Recreational use of marijuana can be contrasted with medical use of marijuana,
which includes the prescribed use of marijuana to manage medical conditions. In terms of
medical benefits, marijuana is used to control nausea, migraines, inflammation and reduce pain.
It is also used in some states as a substitute for opioids, drugs prescribed to reduce chronic pain.
One of the vital things that should be considered when legalizing cannabis is how it affects the
country’s economy when individuals are using it and how the laws against its use affect
individuals in respective countries. Marijuana has proven not only to contain vital medicinal
property, but also would generate a huge revenue for the country. As seen in the first two states
to legalize recreational marijuana, there is a huge potential of hundreds of billion dollars that
could be generated from cannabis sale and revenue. Once marijuana is legalized, there will be an
increased demand in the market which will encourage increased growth of the plant.
Employment opportunities will also be created for individuals working in the production,
marketing and transportation of the drug. However, if marijuana is legalized for recreational
uses, the government needs to regulate it like other drugs in the market. There should be age
limits to ensure that teenagers and young youths do not abuse the drug. Although people argue
that legalizing marijuana opens up a way for teenagers to get the drug, there is no truly way that
a parent can prevent their children from exposure to drugs.
References
American College of Pediatricians. (2018, April). Marijuana Use: Detrimental to Youth.

American College of Pediatricians. https://acpeds.org/position-statements/marijuana-use-

detrimental-to-youth
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Chihuri, S., & Li, G. (2019). State marijuana laws and opioid overdose mortality. Injury

Epidemiology, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40621-019-0213-z

CNBC. (2010, April 19). Why We Should Not Legalize Marijuana. CNBC; CNBC.

https://www.cnbc.com/id/36267223

Crocker, L. P. (2011, June). (PDF) Why Marijuana Should be Legalized, an argumentative

essay. ResearchGate.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311713489_Why_Marijuana_Should_be_Legal

ized_an_argumentative_essay

Fichtner, C. G., & Moss, H. B. (2017). Medical Marijuana and Mental Health: Cannabis Use in

Psychiatric Practice. Psychiatric Times. https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/medical-

marijuana-and-mental-health-cannabis-use-psychiatric-practice

Jorgenson, C. (2020, January 13). How marijuana legalization would benefit the criminal justice

system - The Blue Review. The Blue Review; The Blue Review.

https://www.boisestate.edu/bluereview/how-marijuana-legalization-would-benefit-the-

criminal-justice-system/

Kumari, P. (2020, October 10). 15 Countries Where You Can Freely Light Up A Joint Without

Landing in Trouble. Www.scoopwhoop.com.

https://www.scoopwhoop.com/travel/countries-where-you-can-smoke-a-joint/

Mathern, G. W., Beninsig, L., & Nehlig, A. (2014). Fewer specialists support using medical

marijuana and CBD in treating epilepsy patients compared with other medical

professionals and patients: Result of Epilepsia’s survey. Epilepsia, 56(1), 1–6.

https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.12843
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Nebraska, E. K., PharmD, BCPS, CDE Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice Creighton

University School of Pharmacy & Health Professions Omaha, Nebraska Yunuo Wu,

PharmD Candidate 2015 Creighton University School of Pharmacy & Health Professions

Omaha. (2015). Marijuana for the Treatment of Seizure Disorders.

Www.uspharmacist.com. https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/marijuana-for-the-

treatment-of-seizure-disorders

Wendelboe, A. M., Mathew, R., Chongsuwat, T., Rainwater, E., Wendelboe, M. A.,

Wickersham, E., & Chou, A. F. (2019). Is There Less Opioid Abuse in States Where

Marijuana Has Been Decriminalized, Either for Medicinal or Recreational Use? A Clin-

IQ. Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews, 6(4), 267–273.

https://doi.org/10.17294/2330-0698.1704

Wilkinson, S. T. (2013). Medical and recreational marijuana: commentary and review of the

literature. Missouri Medicine, 110(6), 524–528.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6179811/