Jaycee Larsen

2/13/2017
Maenhardt
English 1010

Medical Marijuana
Marijuana is a topic that is in full swing now more than ever,
so my question is, is it something we can avoid forever, and why
are fighting so hard against it? we are after all just tapping into
the realm of possibilities this plant has to offer our society.
However, change usually opens the door to debate and
contention, recent studies have shown that major changes have
occurred over the past ten years now nearly 53% of Americans
are for the legalization of marijuana on a medicinal level, as
opposed to 2006 when only 32% believed this. Many have
reported that their stance on the matter has changed over the
years as more studies and information on the topic has become
available. (Smith)The main concern with medical marijuana is the
danger that marijuana possesses, however the positives are
seeming to outweigh the negatives, with the more research that
is completed. Americans should be using our money and
resources to progress in the research of medical marijuana for
diseases such as cancer, epilepsy, Parkinsons, opiate addiction
and many others. Instead of using our assets to combat the use of
such a beneficial plant.
Besides the seemingly obvious health benefits this plant has
to offer it could also mean big changes for the pharmaceutical
companies, with pharmaceutical companies being one the most
influential and one of the biggest moneymakers in the medical
field. Marijuana is posing a major threat , this being said
marijuana could be used replace some of our everyday
medication that is detrimental to our bodies over time such as
Advil, Major opioids, and most anti-nausea medication ( as well as
many others). Eliminating the need for expensive pills. ("Big
Money Fights to Block Marijuana Legalization" ) As journalist Lee
Fang states Its more than a little odd that the CADCA and the
other groups leading the fight against relaxing marijuana laws,
derive a significant portion of their budget from opioid
manufactures and other pharmaceutical companies (Lee Fang,
Journalist). However, with this being said that doesnt necessarily
Jaycee Larsen
2/13/2017
Maenhardt
English 1010

mean people will choose medicinal marijuana over prescription

pills.
Like stated above with changes come conflict, and the major
conflict with this topic is if marijuana is actually any safer than our
prescription drugs, Roughly 8 percent of people believe marijuana
is a gateway drug meaning it can lead the way too much harder
drugs, so it should be used strictly for medical purposes according
to roughly 7 percent of the population. (Smith) In a recent study
conducted by The Pew research Center they asked a variety of
adults to list the main reason they believe marijuana should
remain illegal, it seemed to be that the popular answer among all
participants was that marijuana use has side effects such as poor
brain functioning as well as laziness. The same study was
conducted asking people the main reason it should become legal
and the main answer among them was if substances such as
Alcohol, Tobacco, and many opioids are legal why shouldnt
marijuana be legal? I think both sides present a compelling
argument. (Smith)
Now that we have discussed the issue through the eyes of
those trying to fight legalization lets discuss a few of the reasons
why marijuana should be legalized. In the states that marijuana
has become legal prescribing doctors have prescribed on average
500 fewer doses of anti-nausea, seizure, anti-depressant, and
anti-anxiety medications. Compared to other states that have not
legalized. Perhaps the most shocking number of all? Prescribing
doctors have prescribed on average 1,826 less painkillers this
means lower numbers of people addicted to opiates as well as
opiate over doses, 3 out of every 4 heroin users started with
prescription pills. (Entous & O'Keefe) Not to mention the countless
disorders this plant can help such as epilepsy, cancer,
Parkinsons, and may other life altering illnesses if we have
something readily available that can help people and bring in an
estimated half a billion dollars a year if all states were to legalize
(Entous & O'Keefe ) Not to mention the excess waste from
marijuana can be used to create biodegradable plastic and paper.
The thing about medical marijuana isnt a matter of if it will
be legal its when it will become legal, the things that are driving
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2/13/2017
Maenhardt
English 1010

the fight against it are the major pharmaceutical companies

funding the campaign against it as well as the baby boomer
generation who were not aware of its use in the medical field, the
opioid problem our nation is facing is over double as high as past
years. I believe that using this plant to our advantage rather than
spending some much time fighting it we could not only help
medical marijuana users but also the economy. However, this
being said I feel that there should be regulations on it just as we
regulate alcohol and Tabaco, I feel like dispensers and age limits
are the best way to do this. All in all, just because something is
new or has a newfound purpose doesnt mean it should be feared
instead it should be used to our advantage.

Work Cited:
"Big Money Fights to Block Marijuana Legalization."
Represent. Us. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2017.
Entous, Philip Rucker Adam, and Ed O'Keefe. "One striking
chart shows why pharma companies are fighting legal
marijuana." The Washington Post. WP Company, 13 July
2016. Web. 13 Feb. 2017
Smith, Samantha. "In Debate Over Legalizing
Marijuana, Disagreement Over Drugs Dangers." Pew
Research Center for the People and the Press. N.p., 14
Apr. 2015. Web. 13 Feb. 2017.