Marijuana raises controversial debate from time to time on the significance of its legalization. Although, many people attach massive demerits to the substance, others find exclusive benefits in the substance. The benefits of the drug may range from medical to economical. There are unique medicinal benefits that come with the use of marijuana. The economic benefits of the substance may be attached to the tax revenue that the drug attracts to an economy.
The first medical benefit of marijuana is that it acts as the pain reliever. There are some diseases that cause extensive pain to the patient, and they require a strong pain reliever. Illnesses like cancer, multiple sclerosis, and AIDS cause massive pain at some stage. Marijuana would serve a major purpose by relieving the patient the massive pain. Also, the illnesses may cause symptoms like nausea, and vomiting among others. Complications are also likely to occur when the patient uses certain medication to threat the illnesses. Marijuana helps in eliminating the symptoms as well as the complications that come with the drug (ProCon 01).
Marijuana is also believed to be effective in relieving stress. At some point, normal medication fails in dealing with the extreme levels of stress in the minds of human beings. Stress is a highly sensitive cognitive problem that is likely to lead to depression, which is a major health issue (Smith 01). At high levels of stress, marijuana plays a critical role since it helps in bringing the mind to normal wavelength. The substance has been used for this purpose at a great extent as it proves to be worth the task (National Institute on Drug Abuse 01).
In addition, people find it difficult to deal with extreme addictions that come with extensive use or consumption of certain objects. People find it difficult to stop consuming certain hard drugs. However, marijuana which many people have previously thought of as a drug steps up to save the day. Marijuana is a major substance that is useful in reducing the addiction levels among the addicts of other drugs (Smith 01).
Cannabinoids improve immune function. Cannabinoids refer to the marijuana pills as well as smoked marijuana. The drug is found to be more effective than the use of placebo. The individuals who use the cannabioids are said to gain approximately 4 pounds more than the patients who receive placebo (Abrams 01). Many HIV/AIDS patients experience low immunity. Their body looses the disease fighting capability. Therefore, marijuana would be a major relief at such a time when the world is seeking a major intervention in resolving the HIV tumult (Drug Policy Alliance 01). The element would be significant in advocating the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
Also, marijuana is medically fit for protecting individuals from experiencing trauma and concussions. The substance strengths the mind of an individual thus, preventing the mind from developing extensive injuries, which may result to trauma. After a traumatic injury, proper healing procedure or mechanism is necessary. The substance contains neuroprotective properties that help in bringing normality in the brain of an injured person (Loria 01). The drug may be useful among athletes who engage in vigorous activities that may easily injure them.
Tax revenue
Marijuana would be extremely effective substance in the economy if it was legalized. The drug would bring in extensive economical merits. The main merit of the drug is increase in tax. There is a high possibility that the drug would fetch high tax (Zimmermann 01).
Currently, there are approximately 60 million users of marijuana. Looking at the popularity of the drug while it is still illegal would tell a lot of the future of the drug. The legalization of the drug would mean increased consumption of the drug in the country. There would be more people willing to consume the drug. Therefore, the government will have a wide room in which to charge tax (Miron 01). High consumption of the drug means high tax collection by the government.
The legalization will mean increase in demand, which must be satisfied with an increase in supply level. High levels of supply mean existence of more famers of the substance as well as sellers. The government will have to charge each of them tax on farming or selling the substance. Overall, the government will have a wide pool in which it can get extensively high tax from the substance (Easton 02).
Since the substance is not like any other medicine of drug that may be sold over the counter, to regulate its use the government would be required to acquire special agents who will assist in ensuring the drug is sold at the right place and to the right people. In this case, the agents may be required to apply for a chance to sell the drug. The application will have to comprise of some charges, which the agents will have to pay. In return, the government will have attracted massive tax revenue from marijuana (Easton 02).
Legalization of marijuana would come with various benefits. The benefits may be medical or economical. The medical benefits have a direct impact among the users where it may relieve pain, stress, boost immunity, as well as cure traumatic injuries. Economically, the legalization would be a major source for tax for the government. The producers and sellers of the substance will have to pay tax as they try to meet the demand, which is likely to continue growing over time.
Works Cited
Abrams, Donald. "Short-Term Effects of Cannabinoids in Patients with HIV-1 Infection: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial." Journal. Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=716660>.
Drug Policy Alliance "Marijuana Legalization and Regulation."Drug Policy Alliance. Web. 2 Dec. 2014. http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana-legalization-and-regulation.
Easton, Stephen. "Legalize Marijuana for Tax Revenue." Bloomberg Business Week. Bloomberg. Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://www.businessweek.com/debateroom/archives/2010/03/legalize_mariju.html>.
Loria, Jennifer. "23 Health Benefits Of Marijuana." Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 20 Apr. 2014. Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://www.businessinsider.com/health-benefits-of-medical-marijuana-2014-4?op=1>.Top of Form
National Institute on Drug Abuse "Drug Facts: Marijuana." National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana>.
Top of FProConBottom of Form"Top 10 Pros and Cons - Medical Marijuana - ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines. ProCon. Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000141>.
Smith, Dave. "'Medical' Marijuana: 10 Health Benefits That Legitimize Legalization." International Business Times. Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://www.ibtimes.com/‘medical’-marijuana-10-health-benefits-legitimize-legalization-742456>.
Miron, Jeffry. "Cost of Marijuana Prohibition: Economic Analysis." Cost of Marijuana Prohibition Economic Analysis. Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://www.prohibitioncosts.org/>.
Phillips, Kelly. "It's No Toke: Colorado Pulls In Millions In Marijuana Tax Revenue."Forbes. Forbes Magazine. Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2014/03/11/its-no-toke-colorado-pulls-in-millions-in-marijuana-tax-revenue/>.Top of Form
Zimmermann, Kim. "Medical Marijuana: Benefits, Risks & State Laws." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 23 June 2014. Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://www.livescience.com/24554-medical-marijuana.html>.
