Curtis Smith
Professor Yingling
10 March 2012
English Comp 1 The Great Cannabis Debate

What is the most recreationally used drug not only in the United States, but also in the entire world? As most of you this drug is the cannabis plant, most commonly know as marijuana. Throughout this writing I will elaborate on the pros and the cons of legalizing marijuana for medical use for those with an approved prescription. Cannabis is currently used by a quarter of a million people in the state of California to treat numerous diseases and illnesses. If regulated by the federal government this would create millions in tax revenue and allow it to be completely controlled by a stable source. Cannabis is a psychological drug affecting the brain but has the lowest with drawl rate from non-prescribed or recreational users. If regulated by the federal government, cannabis would be an excellent thing for the people as well as the deficit of the United States of America. We will start with the use of cannabis only for it’s medical uses as well as its negative effects on the brain and respiratory system. Cannabis is used by well over a half of a million people in the United States and is legal is sixteen states plus the nations capitol for medical purposes. Cannabis is prescribed in those states for anything from eating or sleeping disorders to more serious conditions such as terminal cancer or the AIDS virus. All patients must have a cannabis prescription recommended by a doctor. Patients then can visit a dispensary, a medical marijuana pharmacy, and purchase their allotted amount prescribed. These independently ran organizations are non-profit and subject to federal raid every day due to the fact that cannabis is federally still considered a class one drug with no medical purposes. However consuming the cannabis the most common way, smoking has harsh effects on the lungs although it has little effect on the mouth or the throat as tobacco does. Whenever medical marijuana is eventually legalized and accepted by the federal government it will have a tremendous impact on the economy as well as helping the patients that need it in their everyday life. Another important issue in which cannabis is involved is the affects on the economy. If taxed and regulated the government would make millions just off of the prescription card and processes that are involved with getting one. Not only will the federal government gain profit from the buying and selling of cannabis in dispensaries but it will also bring an influx of new workers and social economy from the prison system that have just been in on marijuana charges opening cells for the more dangerous criminals. That is something a lot of people don’t seem to realize millions of dollars are spent in arresting and charging marijuana users every year and then more millions are spent on keeping them incarcerated. It will also probably help lower violent crime buy taking a drug off the street and putting it into government control. In response the positive impacts anti-cannabis activist state that having what was once an illegal stage one drug all of the sudden regarded as a cure for disease is contradicting but times change and so does everything else. Science has proven that cannabis actually boosts brain use and function as well triggers positive emotions. The two different types of cannabis used in the medical field are categorized as either indica or sativa. Indica is referred to as a relaxation euphoric feeling where as sativa is a stimulant. Sativa is used to treat disorders such as Alzheimer’s in order to promote brain function and can help patients recall memories more frequently. Indica on the contrary is the most popular strain and it is used to treat eating disorders, pain relief for caner patients and so on and so forth. Cannabis is such a versatile drug, it can be used to treat or cure diseases as well as provide not only physical pain relief but mental pain relief as well. It also does not have to be smoked with today’s technology there are THC pills and edibles which have no effect on the repository system. Medical Marijuana has also been proven to have the lowest withdrawal rate from users trying to quit as well as being the least addictive. Medical Marijuana has a chance to become one of the most prolific happenings since prohibition. If legalized and regulated by the government for medical use cannabis would be able to help so many that need it. It would also be a huge positive for our counties economy allowing huge profits. Cannabis has got a bad wrap and really can be used to help the patients who need it most.