Marijuana is one of the most controversial substances today. Classified by the federal government as an illegal drug yet legalized in two states, the data on its addictiveness, effects, and potency seems conflicting. However, recent research is clarifying marijuana’s properties. This research demonstrates that marijuana is not as destructive as the government claims. It has harmful effects if used unrestricted and for recreation, but its industrial and medical uses should not be discounted. Marijuana should be legalized only for industrial and medical uses. Marijuana can be used as an effective drug for medicinal purposes. Marijuana has a history of being used to treat diseases such as seizures, muscle spasms, nausea, insomnia, asthma, and depression (Earleywine 9). Today, it is effectively used to treat glaucoma (high blood pressure in the eye) and possibly neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s (Fox 35-36). The medical benefits of …show more content…
One example is biofuel. This is fuel obtained from crops, such as ethanol from corn, sugarcane, and other seeds such as canola. The seeds from the marijuana plant, according to recent research, can be used in the production of biofuel. If all strains of Marijuana were legalized, seed yield would have a yield exceptionally greater than that of canola (Hemp, 4), and it can be used at lower temperatures than ethanol (Buckley, 1). Marijuana also does not need tilled soil to grow, allowing farmable land to be used for food instead of biofuel. Besides biofuel, paper made out of marijuana shows significant benefits compared to conventional paper made from wood. For instance, paper produced from marijuana is more eco-friendly than paper made from wood pulp. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “one acre of hemp can produce 4 times more paper than one acre of trees!” (Environmental 1). Therefore, Marijuana should be permitted for industrial