THE EFFECTS OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Nadia Graves

THE EFFECTS OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA
The environmental and economic effects of medical marijuana have been a popular topic in many states. Increasing the use of medical marijuana will be beneficial because of its health benefits and it will decrease marijuana related drug charges and produce state revenue. Many states have not legalized the use of medical marijuana at this time for various reasons. Some have argued that marijuana is a gateway drug that will lead to harder narcotics. Others have conducted research to show how citizens with certain health conditions can benefit from its use if used properly. Which leads to me to an important question, if marijuana has no adverse side effects and does not compromise the body why is it not legal? Cigarettes are perfectly legal and regulated by the government however, they are chemically produced greatens the chances of cancer. Alcohol is perfectly legal as well but can lead to alcoholism, cirrhosis of the liver and death. Medical marijuana can improve health conditions for millions without leading to health conditions resulting in death.
Over the years scientist have been researching the chemical strains found in marijuana, cannabis sativa. This plant has been used for centuries for herbal remedies. The chemical compound of the marijuana plant as a whole has various actions in the body. Marijuana has been found to treat people with nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, and increase the appetite in HIV patients. Medical marijuana has also been used as a treatment for patients experiencing neuropathy, reducing spasticity, and pain associated with multiple sclerosis. Other health conditions the respond effectively to medical marijuana are: glaucoma, arthritis, depression, anxiety, and hepatitis c. As studies are continually conducted by scientist, the benefits of marijuana become greater. However, scientists are still working on controlling the dosage of marijuana because of the different strengths found in each plant. Currently, there are only a few federally regulated marijuana farms. With the farms under government control they can also control the strains and types grown.
Marijuana has led to many convictions with inmates currently residing in prison or jail today. With an increase of medical marijuana it has been shown the there is a decrease in marijuana related drug charges. This decrease is because of the change in state laws where medical marijuana has been legalized. This decrease will also allow tax payers contributions to go towards something other than court cost and prosecution. Certain provisions have been put in place to prohibit the possession of marijuana over certain amounts differing from state-to-state. According to "States That Have Decriminalized" (2014),” Typically, decriminalization means no prison time or criminal record for first-time possession of a small amount for personal consumption. The conduct is treated like a minor traffic violation.” The states that have already decriminalized marijuana are as follows: Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont ("States That Have Decriminalized", 2014).
Increasing medical marijuana has produced positive revenue for the states that has legalized it. In the state of Colorado alone, Ingraham (2014) states, ”Total revenue from marijuana taxes, licenses and fees topped 7 million dollars in June, and is likely to keep rising as more retail outlets enter the market.”
The most important reason that increasing medical marijuana will be beneficial is because of its health benefits with certain health conditions and illnesses. Secondly, this increase will take many states out of debt by the taxes collected by its users.

REFERENCES
Ingraham, C. (2014). Colorado marijuana tax revenues surge as recreational sales surpass medical. Retrieved from web. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/09/11/colorado-marijuana- tax-revenues-surge-as-recreational-sales-surpass-medical-for-the-first-time/
States that have decriminalized. (2014). Retrieved from web http://norml.org/aboutmarijuana/item/states-that-have-decriminalized