Benefits of Marijuana
Marijuana in most countries is treated as an
illegal drug and that anyone found in possession of it is sentenced to a jail
term or fine. However, some countries and states have legalized its use.
Irrespective of these stringent policies, citizens of most countries still
trade and use the drug. Governments have established agencies to deal with the
menace, but more often, they fail to stop the trade of the drug. The drug
distribution network is established in most countries thereby making it difficult
to cut the point of its origin. The protagonist of the substance legalization
states that the drug has substantial benefits that warrant its legalization.
The paper thus has the sole purpose of discussing the supporting reasons why
marijuana should be legalized and the benefits that are associated with its
application.
Reasons for Legalizing
Marijuana
Prohibition has failed to control the use and
domestic production of marijuana.The states have worked around
the clock to eliminate the utilization of the drug for over 75 years and today,
research has established that over 25 million people are using the drug
annually. In most countries, it has been categorized as the largest cash crop,
for instance in the United States. Such has made the claims by governments that
they have contained the drug use and supply to be ridiculous. Legalizing
marijuana use would save the persistent government embarrassments. Arrests for
marijuana possession disproportionately affect blacks and Hispanics and
reinforce the perception that law enforcement is biased and prejudiced against
minorities.
More often than not, complaints have been
launched by the minority individuals in the United States that the law
enforcement agencies are only targeting them. Additionally, the entire justice
system has been put in the spot on the bias in giving out their rulings
regarding the cases that involve the use of marijuana. They have in most cases
given lighter sentences to the whites as opposed to the blacks and other
minorities. The government has thus failed to ensure that the laws on marijuana
are applied fairly to all and not targeting only the minorities.
Marijuana use has positive attributes, such as
its medical value and uses as a recreational drug with relatively mild side
effects.
Most individuals stick to marijuana due to its medicinal value.
Scientists have outlined that marijuana uses aids in healing several diseases.
The use of marijuana provides relief from pain, spasticity, nausea, and other
complications for many persons who have not received proper treatment from the
conventional medications. Additionally, most adults in the US prefer marijuana
to alcohol because it is a mild and moderate way to relax (Monte et al. 242).
Moreover, the users of the drug have stated that it has low dependence
liability and easy-to-manage side effects.
Marijuana is too expensive for our justice
system and should instead be taxed to support beneficial government programs.
Currently, the law enforcement officers spend most of their time
arresting people using or possessing marijuana rather than concentrating on
more significant issues that affect the ordinary citizens. The arrests make the
justice system more expensive since the government has to cater for the needs
of those arrested and jailed (Hill 2475). Additionally, it wastes jail space in
the correctional facilities that would otherwise be reserved for dangerous
offenders such as violent crime, the sexual abuse of children, and terrorism.
Legalized marijuana would reduce the flow of money from the American
economy to international criminal gangs.
Most individuals trading in marijuana tend to use underground means to
transfer the billions of dollars to over sea to support criminal activities
since they use the gangs to help them transport the drugs. Legalizing the drug
would make the individuals carry out their business in an open platform which
does not require the criminal gangs to aid them in securing the market. Such
would cut the funds to these gangs thereby ensuring that Americans and the
world are safe from illegal gangs (Hill 2477). Additionally, the marijuana
traders would be spending the money in their countries thereby ensuring quick
economic growth that helps improve the living standards of the citizens.
Legalized marijuana aids countries realized
increased revenues for development.
Illegalized marijuana is traded in secret. Thus the governments are not
able to realize tax from the sales. Such deprives the states the much-needed
money that can be used to bring development to the people and make the
government fulfill its pledges to its citizens (Hill 2480). Additionally, the
states would be narrowing the cash deposits since it is established that
marijuana trade yields a lot of resources.
Marijuana is not a lethal drug and is safer than alcohol.
Certain drugs have been proved to be more dangerous than marijuana hence
putting more restriction on the use of marijuana is unfair. Established
scientific facts have outlined and shown that marijuana is not toxic to humans
and that its overdose is nearly impossible. Moreover, it has been proved that
marijuana addiction is almost impossible as compared to alcohol or tobacco
addictions.
Health Benefits of
Marijuana
It Can Help in Losing Weight
The use of marijuana aids the body regulate the amount of insulin
production, and manage caloric intake more efficiently. The users of marijuana
have been reported to be slimmer and healthy due to their reduced weight and
maintained fitness (Blake and Jack 359).
It Can Regulate and Prevent Diabetes
Due to its ability to control the body weight, it is at the forefront in
preventing and regulating diabetes.
It Can Help Depression
Scientists have established that marijuana can be used to treat
depression a medical condition that has been reported as affecting most
individuals. According to Samir Haj-Dahmane “Using compounds derived from
cannabis — marijuana — to restore normal endocannabinoid function could
potentially help stabilize moods and ease depression,”
Marijuana’s legalization would simplify the development of hemp as a
valuable and diverse agricultural crop in the United States, including its
development as a new bio-fuel to reduce carbon emissions.
Legalization of marijuana would open an avenue for the production of
hemp which has been considered as valuable agricultural crops. Additionally,
marijuana can be used to produce biofuels that can be used to help in the fight
of climate change and atmospheric pollution resulting from other sources of energy.
Its legalization would minimize the burden on prospective hemp cultivation.
Marijuana use makes athletes perform better
Most athletes have admitted that they carry out more practices when they
are high on marijuana. Hence legalizing the drug use, would make them carry out
their fitness practices with ease and allow them to perform better in sports.
It increases creativity
Research conducted in 2012 has established that individuals under the
influence of cannabis have proven to be more creative. It enhances the verbal
fluency in low creatives to the same level as that of high creatives.
Conclusion
The use of cannabis differs from state to state. Some countries have
legalized its use after realizing the significant benefits it has. However,
other countries have vowed not to legalize it. The positive effect of marijuana
has outweighed its cons. Countries that have legalized it boast of increased
revenues collection which is employed in other development projects that have
significant benefits to its citizens. The medicinal advantages of the drug to
the health of most people have proven beyond reasonable doubt that it is a
drug. Its use in agriculture has the potential in aiding in the minimization of
the atmospheric pollution since it can be used to produce biofuels, which is a
clean source of energy. Marijuana legalization plays a pertinent role in
stabilizing the country and has significant benefits that cannot be washed
away.
Comments