Introduction
What should be considered morally or socially right in society remains one of the mind-blogging debates in recent times, especially on issues regarding substance and drug use. For instance, why legalize alcohol despite its economic, social, and health implications while denying the population the freedom to use cannabis freely, considering its health and economic benefits? Legalizing or making marijuana use illegal has remained one of the predominant topics of debate in the last decade following the increased use of the drug for recreational purposes. According to Alharbi, marijuana remains illegal in the majority of the states in the United States, with only 37 states legalizing the recreational use of cannabis. At the same time, another ten, such as D.C. and the Northern Mariana Islands, have decriminalized the drug for commercial distribution and use (112). The use of cannabis should be legal mainly because of its profound medical benefits. For instance, multiple studies have demonstrated the health benefits of marijuana in treating appetite loss associated with ailments such as HIV and nausea. This essay will demonstrate the benefits of marijuana and why the drug should be legalized for both medical and recreational use.
Reasons for Legalization of Medical Marijuana
Diseases such as bacteria and viruses as increasingly developing increased resistance to antibiotics and other drugs, thus subjecting patients to heightened pain and stress levels. Although most doctors have sought painkillers to control the pain, it subjects the patients to an increased risk of internal damage and organ failure (Belyea et al. 259). Marijuana use is the best alternative to chemical drugs because of its naturally occurring nature, and its growth is compatible with all climates. Additionally, there is evidence that cannabis was used for a prolonged period in the early Chinese Dynasties instead of opium, which is highly addictive. Presently, marijuana helps relieve chronic pain, loss of appetite, muscle spasms, and nausea. Other research has demonstrated that ‘weed’ can assist advanced chronic diseases such as injuries associated with the spinal cord, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, glaucoma, cancer and AIDS, and other terminal illnesses (Gardenier et al. 116). Patients prescribed pain medication have also confirmed that it does little to ease their terminal pain. Considering that the acquisition of marijuana remains a challenge for most suffering patients, making ‘weed’ illegal by itself is morally wrong. However, there is a need for further testing and research to further medical knowledge in this domain to solve common societal challenges.
The use of marijuana for medical purposes is considered ‘safer.’ Compared to other standard drugs in the health domain, such as opioids, which are highly addictive, primarily when used long-term, marijuana provides a healthy alternative for easing chronic pain. According to Leung et al., the number of deaths from opioid overdose has increased by 30% from 2020 to 2022, higher than heroin overdose at 17% (1516). The only way human beings could overdose on marijuana and be exposed to the risk of death is through the consumption of synthetic marijuana, which is highly unlikely, as it remains highly unavailable in the streets. This shows that the medical use of marijuana will significantly reduce the occurrences of overdosage by patients seeking to minimize pain. Additionally, through the approval of the FDA, medical patients using medical marijuana will be assured that their painkillers are not induced with lethal substances.
Patients can administer ‘weed’ to manage their pain using several approaches. Apart from smoking ‘pot,’ non-smokers could consume marijuana by eating, inducing in butter, tropical pain relief approaches vaporization, and cooking oils (cannabidiol oil). This gives a healthy alternative, especially when medical marijuana attains FDA approval. Research has shown that patients using medical marijuana do not necessarily have to get high by isolating individuals’ components of cannabis. For instance, the isolation of compounds such as CBD (cannabidiol) produces pain-reliving options without the action of THC, the compound that causes the ‘high’ (Krishna & Vaidynathan 773).
Lastly, the natural aspect of marijuana is another reason the drug should be legalized for medical purposes. Hammond et al. proposed that the naturally occurring state of marijuana has been used for centuries to reduce pain successfully. The State of Colorado has made huge returns from taxing marijuana and related products, with at least $247, 368, 473 made in 2017 (Tanco et al., 82). The state has also proven that by legalizing weed, the country can deal with the opioid overdose pandemic.
Reasons to not Legalize Medical Marijuana
The quarters opposing the legalization of medical marijuana have argued that although the ‘weed’ brings significant health and economic benefits, the country will be taking a risky path by accepting a drug that has greatly overburdened and downgraded society. Medically, marijuana has proven to heighten the risk of short-term memory loss, primarily when used occasionally. The extent of memory loss is more profound in teenagers, as most of them use cannabis primarily for recreational purposes. Other effects of legalizing marijuana are associated with cognitive impairment, as the users typically demonstrate some challenge in their thinking abilities. This presents difficulties in problem-solving, especially in fast-paced environments and work processes. According to Wengi, the majority of the users of marijuana use the drug through smoking, commonly referred to in the streets as a ‘joint’ accounting for 85% of the users. Smoking damages the lung tissues, further enhancing the risk of lung cancer (7). Marijuana is also a highly addictive drug likely to result in addiction. Lastly, another reason people are opposed to legalizing cannabis is that it is likely to impair one’s judgment, thus increasing the risk of accidents.
Conclusion
The use of medical marijuana is increasingly becoming acceptable in the majority of the states in the United States. Currently, at least 37 states have made cannabis available for medical and recreational use. Medically, cannabis has proven helpful due to its health benefits, such as treating appetite loss associated with ailments such as HIV and nausea. Another reason why medical marijuana should be legalized is that patients can administer ‘weed’ to manage their pain using several approaches through edible products and cannabidiol oils. However, medical marijuana heightens the risk of lung cancer, memory loss, and accidents. Based on these arguments, I think America should embrace the naturally occurring hub for medical and economic benefits. Emphasis should be placed on research and testing to understand the benefits and how to limit the risks associated with the drug. Lastly, those considering using marijuana should seek directions from a qualified doctor.
Works Cited
Alharbi, Yousef N. “Current legal status of medical marijuana and cannabidiol in the United States.” Epilepsy & Behavior 112 (2020): 107452.
Belyea, David A., et al. “Marijuana Use among Patients with Glaucoma in a City with Legalized Medical Marijuana Use.” JAMA Ophthalmology, vol. 134, no. 3, 2016, p. 259., https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2015.5209.
Gardenier, D., Brennan, M., & Weber, L. M. (2017). Should marijuana be legalized? The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 13(2), 116–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2016.12.008
Krishna, V. S., & Vaidynathan, A. (2018). Should marijuana be legalized in India. International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development, Volume-2(Issue-5), 770–774. https://doi.org/10.31142/ijtsrd16968
Leung, Janni, et al. “Prevalence and self-reported reasons of cannabis use for medical purposes in USA and Canada.” Psychopharmacology 239.5 (2022): 1509-1519.
Tanco, Kimberson, et al. “07 – Attitudes about Legalization of Marijuana for Medical and Recreational Purposes by Cancer Patients in Two Cancer Centers Located in a Legalized and a Non-Legalized State.” 2019, https://doi.org/10.26226/morressier.5cdbe0a7618793e647b122ee.
Wenqi, Gao. “Does Medical Marijuana Legalization Affect Adolescent Marijuana Use?” The Austrian Journal of Technical and Natural Sciences, no. 9-10, 2022, pp. 3–10., https://doi.org/10.29013/ajt-22-9.10-3-10.
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