The Legalization Of Marijuana

The legalization of marijuana has been a hot topic of discussion in America for years now. Both sides of the debate have been fighting feverishly to win over the other side. While most people would like to be bias and say that only the local pot dealer and their customers are advocating the legalization of this natural plant, they would indeed be very wrong. Marijuana is supported by its users, as well as; medical professionals, agricultural engineers, and food and science experts. It has also created an economic boom and an ample amount of job opportunities in just the Colorado area. Therefore, by legalizing marijuana in the United States, it would open up job opportunities in the agricultural industry and create a big time cash crop; help

According to Marijuana Legalization in Colorado: One Year Report, within just the first ten months of marijuana sales, they profited $40 million off of tax revenues (“Marijuana Legalization”, 1). Many different area’s business have begun to exploit the newly legalized plant in an attempt to boost the economy, from real estate landlords all the way to candy manufacturers. A large number of ancillary companies are being created to meet the new demands for the recent addition to our nation’s agricultural product, an example being 420 Supply Company LLC. Their catchy motto is, “Everything you need, but the weed,” and they mean it literally. They supply most anything from bags or pouches, to trimming scissors and cleaning supplies. They even carry child-resistant bottles and jars. The owner of this specific store, Tom Shultz, has this to say on the subject of profit, “Per territory, it is a good $10-million-a-year opportunity,” (“Medical Marijuana”, 1). The economic boost is only one way that legalizing medical marijuana could help the United States as a whole, the possibilities are

Studies show that 1 in every 11 users of marijuana becomes addicted (“Drugfacts: Marijuana”, 5). It has also been made known that 1 in every 12 adults can become addicted to the already legal and regulated drug, alcohol (“Facts About Alcohol”, 1).On the other side, not one person has overdosed on marijuana. A study has proven that in order to be at risk of dying, a smoker would have to consume 20,000 to 40,000 times the amount of THC in a joint (Wing, 1). Also, something that is not addressed as often, is the health benefits that can come from medical marijuana. Most people are unaware that marijuana has been proven to aid in cases of stress or anxiety, PTSD, cerebral palsy, and even cancer (Rivas, 1-3). In the case of PTSD and anxiety, marijuana helps the brain to produce a chemical called cannabinoids, which is the active ingredient THC in marijuana, and helps in the way that the brain processes fear (Rivas, 2). The big topic of discussion for any state debating legalizing the use of medical marijuana is cancer. The side effects from chemotherapy includes: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and pain. Marijuana has shown to eliminate all of these, and even going beyond chemo, has prevented further growth of tumors (Rivas, 3). By legalizing marijuana, America could come one step closer to achieving a long time goal of finding the cure