A Closer Look At Legalization Of Marijuana: Exemplar Essay To Follow

Bob Marley once remarked that, “Herb is the healing of a nation, alcohol is the destruction.”  This statement is reflective of many people’s views on marijuana; it is considered the lesser evil in drug usage. Marijuana was mostly used for reaction until recently when the use for medical purposes was brought forth. The legalization of marijuana by 23 states could be ill-advised since research shows that it has significant side effects, potent risk of abuse, and little evidence to support healing factors.
According to research by pediatricians Wright et al. and Krader, the medical benefits of marijuana have minimal or no supporting evidence. They examine the availability of data supporting the effectiveness on marijuana in treating the indicated conditions, of which they conclude that there is insufficient research and data on successful treatments with marijuana. It is, therefore, irrational to legalize marijuana without supporting research based evidence.
Researchers Wright et al. and Krader indicate that the side effects of marijuana are numerous potentially dangerous. The side effects indicated on patients include paranoia, hallucinations, and insomnia among others. Some of these side effects can complicate a patient’s mental health which makes marijuana not favorable for treatment. Marijuana is also recommended for use when other conventional medicines have been inefficient ; this precaution reflects the uncertainty that surrounds its use.
Marijuana can be abused due to its addictive nature and lack of clear guidelines on dosage. A new method of administering marijuana is dabbing which according to Nierengarten, releases potentially higher doses. Teenagers are especially susceptible to drug abuse and exposure to readily available marijuana increases this risk. Legalizing marijuana makes it more available and also encourages access by drug users. Drug abuse is a menace in all societies anything that has the potential to be abused should be frowned upon.
Closely related to addiction, is the detrimental action on the brains of children. Research by Krader indicates that marijuana laboratory tests revealed a reduction on the brain size of mice. The researcher concludes that marijuana can affect the brain size of developing children, affecting their mental capacity and damaging the brain irreparably. The potential risk to children is increased by the ease of accessibility that comes with its legalization.
Supporters of medical Marijuana argue that it is efficient in treating some conditions. Whiting et al. examined the reports on successful treatment with marijuana and they note the efficacy of Marijuana in managing chronic pain. This supports the benefit of marijuana for treatment; rationalizing its legalization. The evidence presented by Whiting et al. also show that many of the conditions listed as treatable by marijuana do not have sufficient clinical reports to support their success. The conditions listed as treatable by marijuana are areas where conventional medicine is available and effective, beating the purpose for use of marijuana for their treatment.
The data presented by the most recent research pokes questions on the wisdom of legalizing marijuana for medical use. The reasons against medical use of marijuana outweigh the reasons for. The available reports on its ability to treat indicated conditions do not offer conclusive research based evidence. Marijuana should not be legal since there is lack of adequate evidence to support its efficiency; it can be abused, and has several undesired effects.