LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA
Legalization of Marijuana
Student’s Name
University Affiliation
Legalization of Marijuana Possession of marijuana, a drug scientifically known as “Cannabis Sativa”, is illegal in most countries in the world and has been since the beginning of its prohibition in the late 1930’s. However, a number of countries today have allowed the use of small quantities of marijuana with Uruguay being the first country in the world to legalize its sale, cultivation and distribution in December 2013. A number of studies have been conducted which have shown that the benefits of legalization of marijuana outweigh the negative effects.
Firstly, the legalization of marijuana is going to have some financial benefits from the elimination of black market, the taxation of marijuana are going to have some financial benefits from the elimination of black market, the taxation of marijuana and we will have an increase in industry around marijuana (Renzoras, 2008). With the legalization the black market from marijuana which is very bad for the economy will be limited because the drug users will buy it from places controlled by the state.
Secondly, marijuana has been proven to have some health benefits to medical conditions such as Cancer, HIV/AIDs and glaucoma. According to Jack (2013), a recent research out of Spain suggests that THC, marijuana’s psychoactive ingredient, kills brain cancer cells. He claims that when THC was applied to cancerous brain tissue, the cancer cells were killed while healthy cells were left alone. In 2005, a study showed cannabinoids’ ability to promote neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus, the brain region responsible for many important brain functions including mood and memory (Jack, 2013). Furthermore, unlike many other medicines, there has never been a death attributed to marijuana overdose.
Thirdly, according to Rudolph (2004), federal efforts to stamp out every form of marijuana use involve ignoring the
Student’s Name
University Affiliation
Legalization of Marijuana Possession of marijuana, a drug scientifically known as “Cannabis Sativa”, is illegal in most countries in the world and has been since the beginning of its prohibition in the late 1930’s. However, a number of countries today have allowed the use of small quantities of marijuana with Uruguay being the first country in the world to legalize its sale, cultivation and distribution in December 2013. A number of studies have been conducted which have shown that the benefits of legalization of marijuana outweigh the negative effects.
Firstly, the legalization of marijuana is going to have some financial benefits from the elimination of black market, the taxation of marijuana are going to have some financial benefits from the elimination of black market, the taxation of marijuana and we will have an increase in industry around marijuana (Renzoras, 2008). With the legalization the black market from marijuana which is very bad for the economy will be limited because the drug users will buy it from places controlled by the state.
Secondly, marijuana has been proven to have some health benefits to medical conditions such as Cancer, HIV/AIDs and glaucoma. According to Jack (2013), a recent research out of Spain suggests that THC, marijuana’s psychoactive ingredient, kills brain cancer cells. He claims that when THC was applied to cancerous brain tissue, the cancer cells were killed while healthy cells were left alone. In 2005, a study showed cannabinoids’ ability to promote neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus, the brain region responsible for many important brain functions including mood and memory (Jack, 2013). Furthermore, unlike many other medicines, there has never been a death attributed to marijuana overdose.
Thirdly, according to Rudolph (2004), federal efforts to stamp out every form of marijuana use involve ignoring the
References: Beau, K. (2012). Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Dragan, M. S. (2004). Legalization, Decriminalization and Medical use of Cannabis. Journal of Neurobiology, 61(1), 149-160. Jack (2013). Chicago Medical Marijuana. Retrieved from http://www.chicagonow.com/chicago-medical-marijuana/2013/10/5-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-marijuana National Institute on Drug Abuse, (2014 January). Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana.html Renzoras (2008, May). The Social Benefits of Legalization of Marijuana. Retrieved from http://www.studymode.com/The-Social-Benefits-Of-Legalization-Of-151008.html Rudolph J. G. (2004). Legalizing Marijuana: Drug Policy Reform and Prohibition Politics. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing Group.