The Debate Concerning the Legalization of Marijuana

Legalization of Marijuana
Legalization of Marijuana

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The Debate Concerning the Legalization of Marijuana

The debate for and against the legalization of marijuana remains highly contested and may be around in the long run. The federal government, for instance, champions the view that seeks to criminalize marijuana as the basis for increased criminal offenses (Bakalar et al. 1995). On the contrary, the proponents of marijuana usage allege that the positive effects outweigh the negatives.

Thus far, the two extremes have been so passionate in supporting their perspectives with concrete arguments.  Despite the heated debate surrounding marijuana, it is only fair to support the school of thought that seeks to decriminalize the use of marijuana for health reasons. In this paper, I will support the argument that marijuana should be made legal on medical grounds.                                                                                                                                            

By August 1999, states such as Alaska, Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington have passed statutes to decriminalize marijuana use for medical reasons. This has seen more than 20 states pass laws that legitimize marijuana usage for medical therapy. Terminally ill patients have benefited widely from these passages. Nonetheless, many people in states that stand opposed to the marijuana use have been dying in their numbers. Ironically, does it, therefore, mean that states in which marijuana has been made legal are mindful of people’s welfare than those that criminalize the substance?

Legalization of Marijuana

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One of the leading factors, why marijuana should be legalized, is due to endorsement by medical experts. In a previous survey conducted by American Society of Clinical Oncology, for instance, 1,035 members provided extraordinary views. About a half of the physicians indicated that they would prescribe marijuana only if it were legalized while 40% reported that they have already prescribed to patients. If doctors are prescribing marijuana, then it is evident that it is effective when it comes to treatment of certain illnesses.

Furthermore, the majority of physicians believe that marijuana is an appropriate anti-emetic. This is of great importance due to severe dehydration associated with emesis or commonly known as vomiting. Medical experts are permitted to recommend narcotics as pain relievers like ephedrine widely known to lead to death in the case of an overdose; nonetheless, they are not allowed to prescribe marijuana even it has not proved to cause death (Kassirer, 1997).                                                                                                 

Scientists have demonstrated that marijuana is effective in treating terminally ill patients as a result of its active ingredient or THC chemical. Cancer Patients have learned that marijuana is considerably effective in reducing adverse effects of chemotherapy. Again, multiple sclerosis that is associated with painful muscle spasms, and vertigo that make life unbearable. Some patients allege that marijuana is effective in reducing this pain (Gorodetzky, 1997). Although, there are medications for relieving multiple sclerosis pain, the majority prefer marijuana to reduce their suffering. This is because such medications lead to severe adverse effects, which are not evident with marijuana.

Legalization of Marijuana

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While science has provided a way of making synthetic THC, promoted as Marinol, it’s very costly and seems to lead to significant levels of anxiety and depression (Kassirer, 1997). Other adverse effects of synthetic THC include severe dizziness and unstable gait. Much as these negative effects can be challenging to handle, doctors should prescribe a pill for relieving such effects.

The application of marijuana for medical reasons is a highly debated topic fueled by divergent opinions. These different views stem from the controversy concerning the utilization of an illegal drug for medical reasons. While many people oppose the medical use of marijuana, the other side of the divide has strong proponents who support the use of marijuana for curing chronic diseases. 

For hundreds of years, marijuana has been used to ease the pain. With this in mind, modern doctors and scientist think that those opposed to the use of marijuana, are either ignorant or blatantly overlooking the value it presents to the medical world.  People suffering from cancer, multiple sclerosis, and AIDS acknowledge the fact that marijuana drug offers them the much-needed therapy (Gorodetzky, 1997).

References

Bakalar, James B., M.D., Grinspoon, Lester, M.D (1995). “Marijuana as Medicine: A Plea for Reconsideration”, Journal of the American Medical Association, 21 June: Vol.273 No 23

Gorodetzky, Charles (1997). “Marijuana”, Grolier Interactive Encyclopedia, CD-ROM, Gwynne, Peter, “Medical Marijuana Debate Moving Toward Closure”, The Scientist, 31 Mar. 1997: Vol.11 No 7

Kassirer, Jerome P., M.D. (1997). “Federal Foolishness and Marijuana“, the New England Journal of Medicine, 30 Jan. 1997: Vol.336 No 5

Legalization of Marijuana

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Marijuana Legalization Essay Paper

Marijuana
Marijuana

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Marijuana Legalization

Possession, selling and use of marijuana is illegal in many countries because of the adverse effects of the drug on the body. Nevertheless, there has been much debate recently in several countries concerning the legalization of the drug. In the United States, for example, there is division as to whether marijuana should be legalized in all states for both recreational use and medical applications or not. However, in some states like Colorado and California, cannabis is already legal for both recreational and medical use, but in limited amounts. However, cannabis should not be legalized.

Cannabis is a drug that has long-term adverse effects on the health of the abusers. These effects include an increased body mass index, insulin resistance, increased appetite and increased waist circumference (Thomson & Hay, 2015). The results lead to lifestyle diseases such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Phyto-cannabinoids, which are intermediates in reactions involving cannabis activate the receptors of brain cells and inhibit release of neurotransmitters by the brain cells.

This leads to brain dysfunction in the short term; that may develop into long-term dementia. It would, therefore, be absurd to legalize a substance with such effects on the human body. Legalization of the drug would inevitably cause an increase in the use of the drug among the youth, hence increased health hazards (Davis et al., 2015).

Marijuana heightens aggressive and antisocial behavior among the users. Legalization of marijuana would increase its consumption and, therefore, lead to increased occurrence of crime and other social vices (Polini et al., 2009). In Colorado, for example, a case study shows that legalization of the drug has resulted in increased use among teens, educational problems in high schools and middle schools.

There has also been an increase in emergency room visits resulting from consumption and abuse by children and their pets, causing sickness and even death (Hurley, & Mazor, 2013). Cannabis related hospital admissions rose by 32 percent. Cannabis also impairs the judgment of its abusers and users leading to road accidents. Statistics shows that traffic accidents related to marijuana accounted for 20 percent. Marijuana also contributed to 32 percent of road accident fertilities.

It is, therefore, clear that even if marijuana is legalized with restrictions for both medical and recreational use, there will still be increased chances of regulations being disregarded as in the case of alcohol. Therefore, cannabis should remain illegal in the rest of the country and be made illegal in the states in which it has been made legal. This is with regards to the statistics for increased marijuana-related impacts within one year of legalization (Joffe & Yancy, 2004).

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Other people may argue that marijuana legalization is good for the economy, a fact that is evident in Colorado where 6 million dollars were collected from the trade of ‘weed’ with one year of amendment 64, but it would be incorrect to choose money over citizens’ wellbeing. Also, another argument is that cannabis legalization would be good for those who use the drug for cancer treatment. Therefore, it is beyond reasonable doubt that the drug has benefits. However, allowing citizens to vote on whether cannabis should be legal or not, while at the same time campaigning about the benefits rather than the negative side-effects is also incorrect. It is analogous to letting a patient treat themselves (Anderson, & Rees, 2014).

In conclusion, marijuana should remain illegal in states of the USA where it is not yet legal and be illegalized in states like California where money hungry local governments have conspired to brainwash citizens into voting for the legalization of the drug.

References

Anderson, D. M., & Rees, D. I. (2014). The Legalization of Recreational Marijuana: How Likely Is the Worst‐Case Scenario?. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 33(1), 221-232.

Davis, J. M., Mendelson, B., Berkes, J. J., Suleta, K., Corsi, K. F., & Booth, R. E. (2015). Public health effects of medical marijuana legalization in Colorado. American journal of preventive medicine.

Hurley, W., & Mazor, S. (2013). Anticipated medical effects on children from legalization of marijuana in Colorado and Washington State: a poison center perspective. JAMA pediatrics, 167(7), 602-603.

Joffe, A., & Yancy, W. S. (2004). Legalization of marijuana: potential impact on youth. Pediatrics, 113(6), e632-e638.

Margaret, K. (2013). Legalization of Marijuana. Publications Oboulo. com.

Pollini, R. A., Romano, E., Johnson, M. B., & Lacey, J. H. (2015). The impact of marijuana decriminalization on California drivers. Drug & Alcohol Dependence, 150135-140. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.02.024

Thompson, C. A., & Hay, J. W. (2015). Estimating the association between metabolic risk factors and marijuana use in U.S. adults using data from the continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Annals Of Epidemiology, 25(7), 286-291. doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2015.01.013

Ours, J. C., & Williams, J. (2015). Cannabis use and its effects on health, education and labor market success. Journal Of Economic Surveys, 29(5), 993-1010. doi:10.1111/joes.12070

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