Argumentative Essay On Legalizing Marijuana

The legalization of marijuana has been a hot topic in the media for many years now. There is a major divide in those who believe it should be legal, those who do not, and those who think it could be legal with modifications on the usage. The number of those who support the legalization of marijuana is on the rise with nearly 50% supporting recreational marijuana legalization, and 81% supporting marijuana legalization for medical treatment as of 2015 ("Public Support for Marijuana Legalization, 2015”). Marijuana should be legalized on a federal level because it is safer than alcohol, it will increase the economy, and there is an unfair criminalization of marijuana.

Growing up, I’ve always been taught that drugs are bad, and my parents have always told me that there is nothing good to them. I remember taking D.A.R.E in fifth grade, learning how marijuana was bad for you and that you should go to jail if you use it. My teachers and parents were my role models though, so I took in everything they told me as a fact, until now. Now I realize that drugs are a good thing. Drugs are a way of life, and they are used by millions of people everyday. There are drugs such as advil, which is used to help patients who suffer from many things, including headaches and fevers. But the drug i’m talking about is marijuana.

When people hear the word marijuana they often associate it with other negative things such as, addiction, gangs, law violations, hallucinations, disorientations, and criminal activity. However, marijuana has been used and shown to have positive effects in multiple medical conditions. Cannabis (marijuana) has been found to relieve symptoms of diseases of serious magnitude, such as asthma, glaucoma, muscle spasms, and many other diseases. While marijuana is still illegal, prisons are being over filled with users of this drug, taking space up from real, harmful criminals. Millions of people chose to use marijuana, whether it for therapeutic relief, pleasure, or as a medicinal use. All 50 states should legalize marijuana because it has great medical use, much safer than many legal drugs, and would contribute to social costs.

”Marijuana use can be used to treat and prevent the eye disease glaucoma, which increases pressure in the eyeball, damaging the optic nerve and causing loss of vision.” 20 states have already legalized marijuana in the US, because the only real cons to marijuana use is mental problems such as psychosis and paranoia versus the hundreds of pros marijuana can do for the body and mind. Marijuana should be legalized because it can help mentally, by increasing someones state of mind, and physically, by repairing lung damages caused by carcinogens in tobacco.

Legalizing Medical Marijuana can help patients with relief from nausea and appetite loss, reduction of muscle spasms and relieve from chronic pain. Helpful for treatment for the AIDS-- reduces the nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite, Glaucoma -- reduces pressure relieving the pain and sometimes stopping damage to the eyes, Cancer -- excite appetite and relieving nausea and vomiting, and Epilepsy -- stops seizures. There are a huge volume of reports and studies which state that marijuana is highly effective in treating a number of illnesses, and it can make a highly achieved replacement for several types of medication, many of which having countless horrible side effects. “Many California doctors recommend the drug because they’ve seen salutary results with marijuana with marijuana not found with its legal pill form equivalent, Marinol.”( Minamide, Elaine. pg14)

When it comes to the discussion of marijuana, several controversies and debates emerge and individuals are able to express their standing on the topic. Despite the misleading statements made about the substance, marijuana has numerous advantages that outlook the negatives. Marijuana has been studied by many doctors and organizations, and it has been proven that there are no serious complications or side effects to the drug. In fact, doctors suggest marijuana to be used for medicinal use because it can help individuals suffering from cancer or other diseases. Marijuana should be legalized because it causes little to no harm on society, is safer than alcohol and other hard drugs, and can potentially save the lives of those who are in tribulation.

Scientist have been studying the benefits of marijuana that could help treat many illness. Even universities are studying the health factors of marijuana; such as, the University of Mississippi (“Marijuana”). Marijuana is believed to help treat health problems, such as, inflammation, inhibiting cancer cell growth, relieves pain, fungal infection, suppresses muscle spasm, seizures, convulsions, blood sugar levels, anxiety, vomiting, nausea, psoriasis, promotes bone growth, slows bacterial growth, stimulates appetite, the risk of artery blockage, and the possibility of many

It has the power to help pain and treat symptoms. It is known that marijuana has an effect on a consumer. Many take marijuana for the “experienced relaxation effect” this is because pills that would normally be prescribed is not enough to help with the problem (Can Marijuana Cause, 3). A website that proceeds to demonstrate the positivities of the controversial topic of legalizing marijuana is Drugpolicy.org, they deeply exemplify that “for many ill people, medical marijuana is the only medicine that relieves pain and suffering or treats symptoms of their medical condition” (Marijuana Legalization 1). Certain medical conditions that marijuana helps treat include eating disorders, PTSD, ADHD, cancers, or tumors, however no set medications can be determined to cure these issues. Marijuana can help grow stem cells and repair a brain damage, while also having the ability to have an affect on “boosting appetite in people with eating disorders” (CBS interactive Inc, 2) making gaining weight easier. Marijuana relaxes most people, meaning that with post traumatic stress disorder it can ease the symptoms and help calm down the veteran as well as extremely helping with cancer treatment. In the eyes of CBS Interactive Inc, “Marijuana can treat chronic pain in adults… similar compounds ease nausea from chemotherapy” (CBS Interactive Inc, 2) and there is strong evidence that supports this claim. Cannabis can be used as a pain killer or prescribed to a patient who needs help with one of marijuana's helpful qualities. It might not be what everyone needs, however there is an increasing number of individuals who would benefit from marijuana being

Cannabis or Marijuana is a psychoactive drug found in the Cannabis plant. Its use has been noted as far in the past 2000 B.C. The prevalence of Marijuana is constant throughout the United States of America. The legalization of this substance has been widely debated for decades. The large debate has led to a lack of consistency with our laws throughout states; In states such as Colorado, Washington, Alaska, Nevada, Oregon, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, and California, marijuana is legal recreationally while others may only be legal medically, or not legal at all. Legalizing the recreational use of marijuana has led to an apparent issue of controlling drivers under the influence of marijuana. Police face issues attempting to control inhibited drivers through errors such as a lack of testing and a lack of regulation.

Marijuana is one of the most discussed and controversial topic in the United States today. Many believe that Marijuana has medical benefits and should be legal, while others say it has a high risk of being abused and should remain illegal. The current drug laws are doing more harm than good. Legalizing Marijuana would benefit the country in many ways. Marijuana should be legalized for its medical benefits, additional revenue to our economy, and it is less harmful than legal substances and most medications.

“Now, for the first time, marijuana legalization is winning majority support in public opinion polls and a drug used by about 6 percent of Americans--and one-third of the nation's high school seniors--is starting to shake off its counterculture reputation. It is winning acceptance even from some police, prosecutors and politicians” (Fisher). Controversy commenced when the general question “Should marijuana be legalized?” derived. Many people and organizations helped pass laws and set up institutions in which marijuana users could be aided in stopping the use of the drug. For example, President Ronald Reagan signs the Anti-Drug Act and a newspaper article written about it says, “ ‘This legislation is not intended as a means of filling our jails with drug users,’ he added.

Marijuana is used for many reasons, but the most important reason is to help with pain. Studies have shown that marijuana can lessen pain, that’s why cancer patients sometimes have a medical marijuana card/license. In the article “Marijuana Can Help in the Treatment of Pain” it says, “Numerous studies

For thousands of years, marijuana has been used for a myriad of purposes ranging from medical use to recreational use. Although small steps are being for marijuana legalization across the country, there is still a long way to go. Some folks argue that marijuana is a gateway drug and impairs judgement, causing people to act recklessly. However, extensive studies have been conducted on the effects, risks, and benefits of marijuana, and have proven marijuana to be safer than alcohol and most prescription, over-the-counter, and illicit drugs. Despite the extensive research and evidence backing up marijuana 's mere harmlessness, it is still a hot button topic in America. Marijuana should be legal for both medical and recreational purposes throughout every state in the US. Legalizing marijuana will boost our economy, provide treatment for the sick, as well as a safer recreational drug than alcohol.

​With a number of U.S. states currently either adopting new legislation that legalizes marijuana, or local governments around the country taking measures to lessen the punishment that has historically been handed down to those caught with possession, there is a clear sense that the status quo of marijuana policy needs to come under some scrutiny. These efforts appear to coincide with a shift in the overall public perception of marijuana, which, according to Pew Research polling, shows that at present 54 per cent of Americans believe that marijuana should be legalized. That figure has increased substantially since 1969, a year that saw only 12 per cent of individuals in favor of the legalization of the substance (Majority Now Supports Legal

Marijuana is one of the most controversial subjects today. What is marijuana? It is a drug derived from the dried flowers, leaves, stems, and seeds of the cannabis plant, sativa or indica. The drug causes changes in the user's mood and also affects how they think and perceive their environment. Today, marijuana has been misunderstood and interpreted wrongly for the simple fact that people are not well educated about the drug and its positive benefits. Marijuana is considered a gateway drug and the reason for the alleged downfall of our youth today, this is why it has developed a negative reputation over the years. Many believe that the usage of marijuana is dangerous, but it is the exact opposite. There is some evidence that states