Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Morgan Statome
UWRT 1104
Connie Douglas
May 2, 2017
Medicate with Marijuana
Marijuana legalization is a clich topic being debated constantly this day and age. Is it
really the devils plant or is it a useful tool in society? Marijuana contains THC, the active
ingredient that creates the high. It is a schedule 1 drug, alongside heroin and methamphetamine.
THC can be compressed into concentrate form, known as wax. Wax is much higher in THC and
delivers a stronger high. The varying levels of THC strength is exactly like the varying doses of
prescription and over the counter drugs. It is legal for medicinal use in over 28 states and
recreational use in 7 of those 28 states (Christensen). Many states are coming to see the benefits
marijuana has on society and health. Marijuana benefits those who struggle with terminal
Terminal diseases, such as cancer, HIV and AIDS, Epilepsy, Arthritis, and Crohns
Disease can be extremely painful. A lot of patients will experience appetite and weight loss as
well, with these diseases. Marijuana has been proven to increase weight gain, pain, improve
mood, and even contribute to killing cancer cells. With the reduction in pain, marijuana causes,
many patients of these diseases find they can live life easier, thus improving their mood and
outlook. This is an age-old method of pain reduction, being practiced since the 1800s
(Christensen). In fact, In a trial involving 56 human patients, scientists saw a 30% reduction in
pain in those who smoked marijuana (Christensen). Marijuana is proven to reduce pain, it is
proven to induce weight gain, and it is proven to regulate sleep. Overall, as opposed to how the
Statome 2
media portrays Marijuana as a stoners drug of choice, it can create a healthier life for those who
are ill.
Not only does Marijuana improve the quality of life for those who are sick, it also
improves mental health. Mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD can be treated
through the use of medical marijuana, just as a physical disease can be. Cannabidiol, the non-
active ingredient of marijuana, has neuroprotective properties that make it useful in treating
neurological disorders. The CBD (Cannabidiol), binds with certain receptors in our brain that
produce the therapeutic effect marijuana provides for patients of depression, anxiety, and PTSD
effective at fighting physical and mental diseases, creating a healthier happier life for many
Marijuana, not only can save lives, but it also largely stimulates the economy where
medicinal and recreational marijuana is legal. Marijuana sales have greatly impacted the
financial standings of states such as Colorado, who legalized recreational marijuana. But
marijuana sales arent the only money making factor of the marijuana industry. States with the
total legalization of marijuana (medicinal and recreational) save money on incarceration costs
annually. In the united states, Inmates incarcerated on marijuana-related charges cost U.S.
prisons $1 billion annually, according to a 2007 study (Bradford). If marijuana were legal that
would be 1 billion dollars the government could save each year, while tax payers as a whole
could save $ 41.8 million dollars annually (Bradford). The money spent on prohibition alone is
appalling. Marijuana has also proven to create a large revenue flow. In California, marijuana is
its largest cash crop, raking in $14 billion a year (Bradford). Marijuana is one of the largest
Marijuana is not the drug it has been portrayed to be all these years. It is a useful
medicine in society and a potential source of revenue, not a gateway drug that leads to a life of
addiction and misery. So many people have been positively impacted by the use of therapeutic,
medicinal, and even recreational marijuana. Marijuana should be legalized by every state and
federally at least for medicinal use. Year after year, more research is done to prove marijuanas
positive effects on the body and mind. If marijuana was legal, so many lives could be improved
Works Cited
Abuse, National Institute on Drug. "The Biology and Potential Therapeutic Effects of
Cannabidiol." NIDA. N.p., 24 June 2015. Web. 02 May 2017.
Bradford, Harry. "14 Ways Marijuana Legalization Could Boost The Economy." The Huffington
Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 07 Nov. 2012. Web. 02 May 2017.
Christensen, Jen. "10 Diseases Where Medical Marijuana Could Have Impact." CNN. Cable
News Network, 16 Apr. 2015. Web. 02 May 2017.