Legalization of Marijuana

Introduction: Marijuana has been illegal in the United States since 1937. Marijuana however, has been around since four thousand B.C when at that time people gave cannabis as gifts or used it at ceremonies. Marijuana has been used in many different ways over its existence such as; Medical purposes, clothing, oils, and food. Marijuana has be vilified over the past seventy plus years because the government insists on making our choices for us when their job is to limit us from things not to rule our lives. Marijuana has many different names such as; weed, cannabis sativa, and hemp. Cannabis sativa is actually medicine used to treat various illnesses like glaucoma, cancer, and arthritis. Stated by Debra J. Saunders marijuana is classified as a “schedule 1” drug in the federal lexicon which is the same category has heroin. Schedule 2 drugs like cocaine and morphine are considered less dangerous drugs and can be used for medical purposes (Saunders 13). Although some believe that marijuana is a hard drug, marijuana should be legalized because Cannabis will boost the economy, is a safer alternative than synthetic drugs, and is less harmful than some legal drugs. Opposition: Those who oppose the legalization of marijuana have not done any research on the topic. Many believe that cannabis has a negative affect on today’s civilization and fails to see how many people it actually helps. David Evans and John Lamp state that marijuana causes drug addiction, drug abuse, and criminal behavior. Evans and lamp also state that for marijuana to be sold, as a “medicine” the drug would have to be sanctioned by the FDA the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA has not approved the sale of medical marijuana because of three things one it’s a schedule 1 drug, two the potential for abuse, and three the lack of safety measures (Evans 82). According to Evans and lamp “Neither smoked marijuana nor cannabinoids are as effective as current medicines that stop nausea and vomiting in cancer chemotherapy patients” (Evans 84). Evans and Lamp also state that the use of cannabis while operating machinery impairs the driver from making a sudden move to avoid a wreck (Evans 86). Stated by Mark Souder medical marijuana is being used for recreational and emotional purposes rather than medical use (Souder 60-61). Conclusion: In conclusion, how can a organization that allows the consumption of alcohol, which kills thousands every year in traffic fatalities alone, not to mention the harm it causes due to addiction. Marijuana is a natural grown plant and has no foreign substances like some synthetic drugs. Alcohol can contribute to over twenty five thousand deaths a year; cigarettes can contribute to over one million five hundred thousand death a year. However, nobody has died from the use of marijuana. Marijuana is already legalized for medical purposes in eight states and is a multi-billion dollar industry in just eight states. If cannabis were legalized in all fifty states the economy would be on a rise. Medical marijuana is not just something to get high on and feel good about it has medical purposes, which are relied on by thousands of people who cannot take synthetic drugs. Marijuana is a safe and natural way to help those in need. I believe that the legalization of marijuana would do more good for this country than bad; it will help with the economy, safer less addictive drug, and is less dangerous than some legal drugs like alcohol and tobacco.