Marijuana is a commonly used drug, the drug is known as herb, weed, pot, and grass. Now, in the 20th century, around 52% of the population (over the age of 18 ) in America have tried it and, 44% of the American population currently still smoke marijuana (NIDA). As of January 4, 2018, the current states allow the use of medical and recreational use of marijuana, Washington (WA), Oregon (OR), Nevada (NA), California (CA), Alaska (AK), and Colorado (CO). Even though the plant is illegal to smoke, consume, sell or grow, it is known for its medical benefits. Marijuana should be legalized for this reason.
Most of the worldwide population believe that marijuana is dangerous. That is true in some situations, pot causes impaired judgment. This can be dangerous in some situations such as driving. Marijuana also affects brain development. When people begin using marijuana as teenagers, the drug may impair thinking, memory, and learning functions and affect how the brain builds connections between the areas necessary for these functions. Some other long-term effects are breathing problems, marijuana smoke irritates the lungs, and people who smoke marijuana frequently can have the same breathing problems as those who smoke tobacco.
Increased heart rate. Marijuana raises the heart rate for up to three hours after smoking. This effect may increase the chance of heart attack. Older people and those with heart problems may be at higher risk. (NIDA)
Problems with child development during and after pregnancy. This concerns medical experts because marijuana use during pregnancy is linked to lower birth weight. Increased risk of both brain and behavioral problems in babies. If a pregnant woman uses marijuana, the drug may affect certain developing parts of the fetus’s brain. Children exposed to marijuana in the womb have an increased risk of problems with attention, memory, and problem-solving compared to unexposed children. Even though these statistics are correct, there are tons of benefits when it comes to consuming the drug.
Some benefits of legalizing marijuana are that it can be taxed, and it would pull America out of a lot of debt. There are tons of health benefits such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) chief administrative law judge Francis Young ruled: ‘In strict medical terms, marijuana is far safer than many foods we commonly consume. For example, eating 10 raw potatoes can result in a toxic response. By comparison, it is physically impossible to eat enough marijuana to induce death. Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man.’ (Marijuana Policy Project.) Also, there are studies showing that alcohol is more- damaging than marijuana. 9
Alcohol use is associated with wide variety of cancers, such as esophagus, stomach, colon, lungs, pancreas, liver and prostate, and as for marijuana use has not been conclusively associated with any form of cancer. Some other examples are ¨Medical researchers have also found that cannabinoids can be helpful in treating pain associated with chemotherapy, spinal cord injury, as well as neuropathic pain, and postoperative recovery, which is often experienced by patients with metastatic cancer, MS, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS¨. (Medical Marijuana) As seen, from the evidence above marijuana should be legalized for its benefits.
Marijuana can help tons people whether it is legalized for strictly medical or recreational reasons, the drug could be a better alternative for pain medication, if taxed it can pull America out of a gigantic amount of debt. Although there are some risks there can be measures taken with the drug to assure safety for everyone, for example in Colorado the residents have to be 21 years old to use the drug. Imagine a world where there is less crime, less fighting, and less pain, imagine if there was a world with more peace, these are only some of the reasons marijuana should be legalized. Someday, maybe the world could be at peace.
