Marijuana is a psychoactive drug that is mainly used as an illicit drug and for medicinal purposes. It is said to be the most commonly used drug worldwide today. Its legalization has been a topic of contention among many, with both sides giving strong reasons about their stand. Due to its psychoactive effect, the drug has been illegalized in many nations, except for a few who have legalized it for medicinal purposes. The question is should medicinal marijuana be legalized? Yes, medicinal marijuana should be legalized in order to save lives that are being lost, yet something can be done. In addition, it should be legal in order to help relieve patients with chronic pain.
If medicinal marijuana was legalized, it could become a new industry, all on its own. It could help in the cure of many diseases around the globe, because it is being used without restrictions. According to Kilmer, marijuana can be used in the cure of many medical conditions and for pain relief purposes (93). Marijuana is said to treat glaucoma, cancer symptoms, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and many other psychological disorders in addition to relieving pain in chemotherapy patients. Marijuana is known to relieve patients from extreme pain, stop vomiting while under medication, to improve the immune system of patients with aids, and to improve their health situation. Therefore, the legalization of medicinal marijuana is imperative, because it will allow these patients use it freely. In addition, it will help doctors exercise their duty in saving patients from extreme pains, using this psychoactive drug.
In addition, this will give tax breaks and will give money to new and risky businesses who want to start up. The legalization of medical marijuana will generate revenue in all states, as the government will be able to collect taxes from the business. It will help create jobs and economic opportunities in the formal sector other than the illicit market. The money circulated in and out of this industry will help the nation in a plethora of ways, and could reduce marijuana related violence because, the business will be legal and the issue of gangs selling marijuana will be forgotten for good. Additionally, all the money that is being used to pursue illegal drug traffickers can be used to set up hospitals and other programs that will be obliging to the community. The state spends large amounts of money in controlling marijuana trafficking and trying to enforce laws on its use. With its legalization, these funds will be directed to programs that are more useful because, the problem will be solved through legalization.
In addition to all of the economic reasons to legalize marijuana, there is the issue of reducing crimes caused by gangs that sell illegal marijuana. Legalization of medicinal marijuana will help in the reduction of marijuana related crime and violence. Many youths drop out of school and join the gangs on the streets in selling marijuana. Now that the business will be legal, these youth will be forced to maintain in school and complete their studies since there will be no business to carry out. According to Califano (067), there has been an increase in violence caused by youth gangs who illegally sell marijuana, this problem will be countered, since it will be available over the counter and those who want to use it will buy it legally without any fear. In most cities, marijuana is known to be sold in the black market by drug gangs, but with its legalization, this type of business will be eliminated, as it will be accessible in the markets. With the legalization of marijuana, illegal trafficking will be at reduced levels, thus a decrease in crime rates.
Along with the reduction of crimes caused related to marijuana, if medicinal marijuana is legalized, individuals will use it in the right way. This is practical for the reason that, they will procure what is enough for their medicinal use, and the incidents of abusing marijuana will be at minimal levels. People will learn to use marijuana responsibly because they will be taught about its medicinal value and allowed to use it freely and responsibly.
One prominent argument against the legalization of medicinal marijuana is that, it will bring about more new users instead of rescuing the old ones. Furthermore, they argue that, marijuana legalization will make it available and this means that many people will start abusing it, as it is legal, and accessible. However, the supporters of its legalization have challenged this because, after marijuana has been legalized, it will be regulated with laws and policies that will govern its sale. Additionally, many people abuse the drug without knowing its medicinal value, through its legalization; many people will know its medicinal value and start using it responsibly. Those against its legalization should think twice about it since, what would someone do if when he/she has a cough, and someone, somewhere else decides that, he/she will not have the cough syrup? This is impossible and so because one has to take the cough syrup in order to stop coughing. The same applies to patients who are in need of marijuana for treatment. They should be allowed to freely and legally access marijuana for treatment purposes, why should they be left to suffer yet something can be used to relieve their pain? Marijuana is a natural and a very effective pain reliever that should be legalized around the world for medicinal use.
Finally, medicinal marijuana should be legalized only for medicinal and not recreational use. According to Gerber in his book Legalizing Marijuana: Drug Policy Reform and Prohibition, policies have to be put in place to regulate its sell and circulation (Gerber 103). Special permits should be issued to all outlets selling marijuana. In addition to the issuance of special permits, the number of outlets selling marijuana should be regulated, so as to avoid the likelihood of marijuana abuse. What’s more, stringent rules should be put in place to ensure that it is not sold to underage persons and that it is not abused in any way; perpetrators should be brought to book. A combination of policies and restrictions will ensure that medicinal marijuana is availed to those in need and it will help patients with pain relieve and in improving their health condition. Ultimately, medicinal marijuana is very important, especially with an increasing number of conditions with chronic pains. The legalization of medicinal marijuana will save a great number from this chronic pain and improve their health.
In conclusion, the legalization of medicinal marijuana is a controversial topic that has raised a number of debates around the globe. Those supporting and opposing it have their own reasons as to why they take their positions. Marijuana should not be allowed to get into the wrong hands, but its medicinal value calls for its legalization. Marijuana should be legalized due to its medicinal value in order to help patients who need it for treatment and as a pain reliever. Furthermore, it is a natural pain reliever that if legalized, it will highly contribute to the advancement in medicine.
Works Cited
Kilmer, Beau. Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012. Print.
Califano, Joseph A. Should Drugs be Decriminalized? No. British Medical Journal, 335.7627 (2007): 967. Print.
Gerber, Rudolf. Legalizing Marijuana: Drug Policy Reform and Prohibition. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2004. Print.
Earleywine, Mitch. Understanding Marijuana: A New Look at the Scientific Evidence. NY: Oxford University Press, 2002. Print.
