In the name of fighting drug abuse, governments unleashed a war on drugs that continues to rage today. Drugs have numerous negative consequences that can result from an addiction, but some can have positive effects when used appropriately and under the care of a healthcare professional. The War on Drugs is a government-led initiative aimed at stopping illegal drug use, distribution, and trade by issuing increased prison sentences for drug-related offenses, and it increased federal funding for drug-control agencies and treatment efforts. Instead, it has resulted in a disproportionate amount of incarcerations of minorities. Despite the government's “best” efforts, drug use and addiction rates continue to rise, and the criminalization of drug …show more content…
It is important to acknowledge the potential risks associated with recreational drug use, it is also vital to understand that drug addiction is not a matter of willpower or moral principles, but a disease that requires professional treatment. Therefore, rather than advocating for recreational drug use, efforts should focus on the prevention, education, and treatment of drug addiction. Now, let's talk about drugs. Marijuana is one of the most commonly used drugs in the United States and has been used recreationally for centuries all around the world. In recent years there has been growing support for its legalization, like the overwhelming share of U.S. adults (88%) who say either that marijuana should be legal for medical and recreational use by adults (59%) or that it should be legal for medical use only (30%). Just one-in-ten (10%) say marijuana use should not be legal, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in Oct. …show more content…
It contains compounds called cannabinoids that interact with the body's endocannabinoid system to produce a range of effects, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is responsible for the plant's psychoactive effects. Another important cannabinoid is cannabidiol (CBD), which does not produce psychoactive effects but has been shown to have many therapeutic benefits. One of the most well-established uses of medical marijuana today is for the treatment of chronic pain. Studies have found that marijuana is effective in treating pain associated with conditions such as neuropathy, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis, as well as nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, and for appetite stimulation in patients with HIV/AIDS. It has also been shown to have potential therapeutic benefits for a variety of other conditions, including epilepsy, glaucoma, and PTSD. Research has also found that cannabidiol (CBD) may be effective in reducing seizures in children with epilepsy, and may also have antipsychotic and anxiolytic effects. It also has neuroprotective effects, which could make it useful for treating conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Other benefits include anti-inflammation, which could make it useful for treating conditions such as Crohn's disease and rheumatoid