Reasons to legalize Marijuana/Cannabis
The federal government should legalize marijuana because of the benefits: Cancer
patients provided with some relief from their symptoms, and the economic gain $1.3 billion in
taxes, hemp saving 4 acres in trees, and decriminalization in a state. There has been scientific
evidence that has shown the potential health benefits come from marijuana and its property of
cannabinoids. For patients with cancer medical marijuana may be able an effective treatment
compared to other alternative medicine. Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy cannabis can
help them deal with the unpleasant side effects. Patients that suffer from appetite loss, nausea,
and vomiting, benefit from cannabinoids (varies of organic substances, such as THC, found in
cannabis). ((n.d),Stedman) It has been proven to be highly affective for the treatment of
vomiting and nausea. There are no full potential stories yet of what medical marijuana can do
for cancer. Studies have shown that cannabis can slow invasion of some cancers like cervical
cancer, and lung cancer cells. (Unknown, Unkn)
Then not just cancer patients but other people with illnesses such as MS (Mulitiple
Sclerosis) numerous studies even on animals (mice) and in humans show that the psychoactive
ingredient in marijuana called “Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol can reduce patients muscle
spasms. Cannabinoids help suppress certain symptoms from multiple sclerosis or other spinal
cord injuries. Medical marijuana provides them with relief from symptoms and may slow the
process of the degeneration of the nervous system. MS carries many symptoms that
cannabinoids can help to alleviate/eliminate spasticity, depression, fatigue, chronic pain, and
ataxia. The London school of Medicine stated that out of 112 medical marijuana patients with
MS, 80% reported they had improvement from pain, tremors, spasticity, spasms and pain.)
(Unknown, Unkn).
Patients that have received medical marijuana from either smoking marijuana or getting
Nabiximols (liquid cannabinoid abstract) and other forms of cannabis, have increased their
quality of life. A patient named Linda Yelvington who suffers from Scoliosis and Chronic Pain
has stated that there had come a time where she realized, “shoving more and more opiates at
me – whatever they could prescribe, and it wasn't helping – and cannabis did”. (Unknown,
2009)
With the medical patient benefits also come with a growth economically. The legalization of medical cannabis leads into jobs, and tax benefits for the states. There are currently 16 states with legal medical marijuana facilities. These facilities can provide employment from 371 people up to 414 jobs that is under a high productive scenario. (I. Brian
& Associates (Eds.), 2010). Patient support positions include a large range of positions like: licensed growers, medical personnel, psychologist, customer service associates, therapist, drivers, chefs, and ect. According to Brian & Associates about 167 jobs will just be associated with a grow facility. (I. Brian & Associates (Eds.), 2010) Other non-marijuana positions could be created government jobs like law enforcement to help regulate the states marijuana program.
There are also jobs for advertisers, lawyers, doctors, accountants, and marketing professionals.
("Prweb," 2011). From the jobs that the medical facilities created to produce and cultivate marijuana along with that come state benefits.
There can be many governmental benefits such as tax benefits, decriminalization, and state revenue. Doing many researches California’s biggest agricultural crop is marijuana. Time magazine stated that “$14 billion a year in sales, dwarfing the state's second largest agricultural commodity — milk and cream — which brings in $7.3 billion a year, according to the most recent USDA statistics” (“Statemen, 2009”) Do you think that the government can