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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

diseases, mental illnesses, and it stimulates the economy.

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
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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

specifically (The Biology and Potential Therapeutic Effects of Cannabidiol). Cannabis is

effective at fighting physical and mental diseases, creating a healthier happier life for many

people who use medical marijuana.

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

growing industries in America, yet it is still illegal in nearly 20 states.


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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

and even saved.


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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.

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