Cannabis, an industrialized plant some two-thousand years ago, is much like the modern tobacco plant in relation to the immense wealth and opportunity a single crop cashes in. The Cannabis plant— specifically the Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis—is mainly associated and highly noted for the female buds being smoked to induce a limitless feeling, high. For some 10,000 years, marijuana, a name accumulated from Mexico, has been used for both medicinal and recreational purposes (Bellingham 1). In fact, along side marijuana’s connection to smoking, the plant’s strands are used in the manufacturing of clothing and paper. These strands, specifically called hemp, have started an industrial hemp revolution to where many products are made from the Cannabis plant. Currently in the United States, an exponential increase has occurred in the number of marijuana users; however, most users claim that the use of marijuana, commonly called weed in a slang relation, is for medicinal purposes rather than a recreational convention, stating that weed relieves stress and decreases muscle aches while alleviating tension. In any sense, marijuana is currently on the top of the list of Schedule 1 narcotics, joining such hard-drugs like Cocaine, Meth, and Heroin, and possession of these drugs instills hefty fines and possible jail time. Although systemic testing for the salubrious effects of marijuana is needed, legalization of a medicinal form of marijuana—in a liquidated form within a bottle or in pill formation—poses great economic, social, and political wealth.
The age-long debate on the legalization of marijuana has taken a turn into medical history. Currently, there is one country just to the north of America, where pot, for strict medical usage, is legal. Canada, a country where marijuana usage is not frowned upon but rather taken into open arms, has begun its influence on the United States, mainly in California. In California, medical marijuana is legal by state law; however, recreational usage of weed is still illegal. Medical marijuana dispensaries have appeared all over this majestic state, and the tax revenue generated from sales is, to a degree, in surplus. Taking California’s iconic Pot-Movement, a proposition is to be made in which medicinal marijuana is legal by Federal Law. Marijuana dispensaries will be controlled and monitored by the Federal Government and legislation will be passed on the amount of marijuana substance that can in possession. In essence, the entire medicinal marijuana industry will be controlled by the Federal Government, limiting recreational usage and monitoring the standards of operation, with effects already being felt in the Supreme Court (Josefson 1).
Although the idea of a world where medicinal marijuana can be used freely is reoccurring and evident, many oppose this revolution simply on beliefs or theories. Those in opposition, whom of which are usually undereducated scientifically on the helpful effects of marijuana, feel that this drug causes brain damage and is detrimental to a functioning society. In fact, most Americans on a national poll assumed that marijuana decreases brain cells and is highly addictive. On the contrary, scientific evidence has proven that marijuana does not kill brain cells and even in its 10,000 year documented existence, has been attributed to a whopping zero deaths (Pot-ential healing 1). Marijuana, unlike tobacco, is not addictive to any degree and most marijuana users feel no mood changes if the herb is removed from their person. This fear of a “pot-head” society was introduced through Government ads and propaganda. In the 1930s, the Federal Bureau of Narcotics began receiving reports of alleged marijuana usage, especially popular in southwestern states. The Bureau, at an attempt to decrease the spreading of marijuana usage, formed exaggerations on the effects of marijuana, calling it an “assassin of youth.” President Franklin D. Roosevelt soon signed the Marijuana Tax Act, and the first violator was Samuel Caldwell; he received a sentence of four years and a fine of $1000 (McWilliams 1).
In an attempt to decrease the negative image of marijuana usage, even if used for remedial purposes, a proposition or solution to this crisis is to convert marijuana into a medicinal form such that it cannot be smoked as seen in the negative context. Instead of legalizing medicinal marijuana in the form of blunts, joints, and bongs, legalization of marijuana in forms of pills or liquids makes marijuana look like medicine. Liquefying marijuana to a medicinal viewing is much more opponent-friendly and removes lung infections and dangers (Greenberg 1). Although there are THC pills currently on the market, these pills do not last as long and are not as potent, but with a marijuana pill, the effects will be felt for a sustained amount of time.
As testing on marijuana increases, scientists continue to find substantial reasons for the usage of the Cannabis plant ranging from paper production to stress reduction. As states take the risk of legalizing medicinal marijuana, like in California, Federal Governments ponder the age-old question. One solution to this is to legalize medicinal marijuana on the Federal level and doing so, organization, production, and sales will be handled by the Federal Government. Another solution would be to legalize and form of marijuana that is more medicinal-friendly. Take marijuana and converting into say a liquid or pills is much more potent and opponent-friendly than in a smoking form. A secondary solution is to have a testing area by region to see of the primary solutions are fiscally and socially sustainable. In conclusion, taking a chance with medicinal marijuana is beneficial both economically and physically.
Works Cited
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Josefson, Deborah. "US considers medical role for marijuana." British Medical Journal
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McWilliams, John. "Recreational Drug Use." Encyclopedia of Recreation and Leisure in
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