Reason for Marijuana Should be Legalized Essay Example

in 1910 and brought it back to Salt Lake City (Rosenthal, et.al.page 1-52).

It is worth noting that marijuana is highly addictive, with even a single use leading to addiction. However, addicts may function well for an extended period before experiencing difficulties. In comparison to alcohol and cocaine addiction, the treatment of cannabis addiction proves more challenging, especially when smoking it over a prolonged period. Its addictive nature often leads to confusion among many individuals.

Before marijuana was legalized, it was widely abused, resulting in severe consequences. Many individuals would engage in inappropriate behavior at work while smoking marijuana. Consequently, Amsterdam became the first city to prohibit the use of marijuana due to its negative impact on society. However, this ban unintentionally affected the Dutch population as the drug continued to be used and seen openly.

In addition, cannabis has been found to have detrimental effects on mental health. A study conducted by Northwestern University discovered that a majority of marijuana users possess abnormal brains and experience impaired memory function (Ashworth et.al., page 34). Moreover, it has been associated with brain changes similar to those observed in individuals with schizophrenia.

Furthermore, according to Steckler (2011), marijuana poses significant harm to physical health and is even more toxic than smoking cigarettes.

Regular marijuana users have experienced severe lung problems, even with small amounts of the drug, for over twenty years. Additionally, if women smoke it, marijuana can temporarily affect fertility and harm babies, resulting in abnormalities in children and an increased risk of leukemia. In Australia, fatal accidents caused by marijuana use have been linked to drivers.

The Diverse Applications of Marijuana

Marijuana has a rich history in Hindu and Buddhist cultures for

celebrations and holidays. Specifically, Hindu men consumed bhang as a means to connect with Shiva. It is important to acknowledge that marijuana's uses extend beyond its medical applications.

According to Rosenthal et.al. (page 1-52), marijuana has various advantageous applications in the treatment of diseases. It serves as a medication for AIDS patients, helping to decrease nausea and loss of appetite caused by the disease, and counteracting the side effects of AZT and other drugs. It also provides pain relief for those with arthritis and acts as an autoimmune modulator. In cancer patients, marijuana increases appetite and relieves symptoms induced by chemotherapy such as nausea, vomiting, and other adverse effects. Many individuals undergoing chemotherapy choose to frequently use marijuana instead of traditional anti-nausea medications. Lastly, marijuana effectively reduces chronic pain resulting from different conditions and injuries.

Marijuana has been found to have positive effects on reducing depression and mood disorders. This is significant because the traditional drugs used for these conditions carry serious health risks and side effects. In a 2012 study conducted by Jonathan, it was discovered that marijuana actually has a low potential for abuse, which goes against popular belief. While some adults may develop dependence on marijuana, there are also successful individuals who use it to enhance productivity. There is an argument suggesting that smoking marijuana can lead to the use of other drugs; however, it should be noted that those who turn to harder drugs often begin with cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption before trying other substances.

Caulkins et.al. (page 87) claim that natural marijuana is less risky than synthetic cannabinoids. Scientific reports also indicate that cannabis is safer and more effective than alcohol, as

it has a lower fatality rate. Legalizing marijuana in Colorado led to a reduction in serious crime rates, according to Fox et.al. (page 145). Surprisingly, researchers have generally found that coffee has a stronger impact than marijuana.

Legalizing marijuana has been proven to boost annual tax revenue in the economy, as evidenced by the case of Colorado. Once cannabis was legalized, tax revenues experienced a significant increase. Many countries now hold the belief that smoking marijuana is harmless, which stands in stark contrast to previous beliefs that it could lead to death or turn individuals into killers. Additionally, the legalization of marijuana has generated job opportunities within the cannabis industry for numerous citizens (Burnham et al., page 15).

Work cited

• Burnham, Alex. Benefits of Legalizing Marijuana. S.l.: Grin Verlag Ohg, 2011. Print.
• Caulkins, Jonathan P, Angela Hawken, Beau Kilmer, and Mark Kleiman. Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know? , 2012. Print.
• Elliott, Steve and Kerren B. Steckler. The Little Black Book of Marijuana: The Essential Guide to the World of Cannabis.

• White Plains, N.Y: Peter Pauper Press, 2011. Print.
• Fox, Steve, Paul Armentano, and Mason Tvert. Marijuana Is Safer: So Why Are We Driving People to Drink? 2013. Print.
• Rosenthal, Ed, Steve Kubby, and S Newhart.

Why Marijuana Should Be Legal. Philadelphia: Running Press, 2003. Print.

Ashworth, Andrew, Lucia Zedner, and Patrick Tomlin. Prevention and the Limits of the Criminal Law. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press, 2013.

Print. - Rodman, Elana. "From Criminalization To Regulation: New

Classifications Of Cannabis Necessitate Reform Of United Nations Drug Treaties." Brooklyn Journal Of International Law 40.2 (2015): 647-683. - Academic Search Premier. Web. 18 May 2016.