Legalization of Medical Marijuana

Many people go around and live their lives, seeing many of their acquaintances daily. What they may not know, Is what they do in their free time. So many people go home, out, anywhere they want, and they smoke pot. Having many other names, Its proper name Is Marijuana which Is made by the Cannabis plant. To the eyes of many, smoking pot Is dangerous and Immoral. To the users, It could be the opposite. It Is Illegal today, which Is a topic discussed among a wide variety of people today In the US, and even the world.Many people believe that it should be legalized for a wide variety of purposes. Those who are opposed, feel it's too dangerous to be put on the market. The legalization of marijuana is discussed about in all parts of the country, and could help in treating diseases and helping patients, but could also lead to more teen use, and even deaths. Today, there are more than a dozen states, which have legalized marijuana, many for medicinal purposes. Although it may not cure diseas es, it helps many patients to avoid, suppress, and alleviate the pain.There are many sissies In particular that it helps to alleviate. Glaucoma Is just one disease that the effects, untreated, can lead to pain, discomfort, and blindness. In general, Glaucoma is a condition that causes pressure within the eyeball. Glaucoma is when damage occurs to the optic nerve, and leads to a series of eye conditions. There are several types, but the four major ones are; open-angle (chronic) glaucoma, angle-closure (acute) glaucoma, congenital glaucoma, and secondary glaucoma. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness.Once marijuana is smoked, it may alleviate the reassure. Other medications can be prescribed, but these prescription drugs have a tendency to lose their effectiveness (Grids 1). Multiple Sclerosis is another ailment, that the effects are very crippling. Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. Multiple Sclerosis has a long li st of symptoms that may cause pain, and/or make the patient feel uncomfortable to be In their own body (Sieve 1). Talk show host, Monnet Williams, talks about his first hand experience with Multiple Sclerosis.Williams had said, â€Å"When the neurologist said hose words – â€Å"You have MS† It hit me Like a brick. I thought the diagnosis was a death sentence (http://mm. Mantels. Org/Mantels. PH). † In his case, Monnet had episodes of excruciating pain, even prior to his diagnosis. He had been prescribed concoction, and opium, which had him suffering through painful and uncomfortable side effects. And now for many years, Monnet Williams has been using medical marijuana, inhibiting the pain caused by his disease. He has launched a public campaign, searching for a cure for MS, and the legalization of medical marijuana.Williams makes a excellent point, when he says he feels it should definitely be legalized, but strict enough, so that people who actually need it, ha ve access to it. Marijuana has allowed Monnet Williams to become a contributing member of society, and live his life again (The Dry. Oz show). But the list doesn't end there. Marijuana Is also used to treat Alchemist's, Cancer, HIVE/AIDS, ALLS, and epilepsy (James 1). Studies have also shown that the Inhalation of marijuana has also decreased that chance of lung cancer, due to certain chemicals In side of the drug, stopping the growth of plaque.Many people are against it, because of the fact that it is a smoked drug, their own arsenal of prescription drugs in their homes. Medicine cabinets are filled with a bunch of prescription, or over the counter drugs, which are more addictive, more accessible, more harmful, and have more side effects, than marijuana. There is also lots of talk about the economic benefits of the legalization of marijuana. There are hundreds of economists that support the idea (Nonfat 1). It may not end the economic crisis, but it may help us take one step closer to becoming a prosperous nation once again. Once it's legalized, it could be taxed.Once it's taxed, it could bring in millions, or even billions of dollars, to the federal government. According to Jeffery A. Minor, if Marijuana was taxed like most other consumer goods, the tax revenue would be at least $2. 4 billion annually. However, if it fell under the Sin Tax or Tobacco Tax (taxing products such as tobacco or alcohol) annual revenue may generate up to $6. 2 billion. It will also create thousands of Jobs in agriculture, packaging, marketing, and advertising (Minor 1). Look at California for instance. Since marijuana was glazed in 1996, it has accumulated a total of $14 billion, from annual revenue.This also ties into federal expenses, on containing the drug, and enforcing the law. Many users feel that this is a prohibition, not having legal access to the drug. So they must find other ways to obtain the drug. Some people go to such far ends, Just have one puff. A study was conduc ted, and in 2010, there were approximately 1,638,846 drug related arrests. About 853,869, a little more than half were arrested, because of marijuana (Borden 1). But if you go even further, you will notice that in only 100,000 asses, approximately, there was actually any use of marijuana.The other 750,000 were charged on the means that it was in their possession. This shows two things. One, that it's not as addictive as it's perceived to be. Two, all those resources that are put towards the law enforcers, could be put towards crimes that are more serious. It would allow state police and officers to concentrate on crimes such as drunk driving, school shootings, stalking, burglaries, robberies, child abuse, etc (Stammer 1). So in total, the legalization of marijuana can help treating patients with serious disease, eve economic benefits, and decrease government spending.Which is not so bad, but people are more worried about negative effects on the communities. Although there are many p ositive effects of the legalization of marijuana, there are some negative effects that people are worried about. First and foremost, many parents and adults are worried about the effects on the community, especially the youth. Many teens nowadays have been starting very young with different types of stuff from a wide variety of; cigarettes, chewing tobaccos, alcohol, and marijuana. There are many seasons why students fall under the influence.People could Just feel stressed and anxious, and feel like marijuana is the cure to all of their problems. Others feel like they need to smoke in order to be cool, and so many fall under the peer pressure. According to surveys, the amount of marijuana use has decreased between the late asses and 2007. Now, the amount has started to increase, since 2006, the use among sophomores and seniors have started to increase. In a survey conducted National Institute on Drug Abuse, 7. 2 percent of 8th graders, 17. 6 percent of 10th graders, and 22. Percent of 12th grader have smoked marijuana months prior to the survey (NADIA 1).There are many who also fear that it is a gateway drug. The younger kids start out smoking marijuana, then start going up the ladder to other tobaccos, cocaine, and but they sure leave a whole lot of side effects. There are short term side effects, and long term side effects. The short term side effects vary from impaired senses, cramps, hallucinations, paranoia, diarrhea, and an increased appetite (causing weight gain). Long term effects include loss of brain cells, energy loss, apathy, cardiovascular robbers, addiction, and pregnancy defects.