Legalization of Marijuana

Legalization of Marijuana

Marijuana and its biologically active components are listed by the U.S Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA) as schedule 1 controlled substances. In this case
marijuana, a cannot be sold, possessed, or prescribed under federal law. However, the use of
marijuana for medical purposes is legal in some states under state laws. According to peer
research, marijuana has been identified as helpful for some medical conditions. Therefore,
marijuana should be legalized in all the states in the United States of America because of its
medical use, its effects on the justice system, and its pros and cons on the economy.
There are many benefits of medical marijuana use compared to other drugs that are
legal today. Marijuana is an effective treatment for various medical conditions, including
cancer, AIDS, chronic pain, and glaucoma (Grigsby et al., 2020). It is also effective in
reducing nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. In addition, marijuana is much
less addictive than other drugs, such as cocaine and heroin.
Furthermore, there are economical and profit impacts of medical marijuana use,
which vary depending on the context in which it is introduced. However, some potential pros
of medical marijuana use from an economic perspective could include increased tax revenue
if the drug is legalized, as well as potential cost savings from reduced law enforcement and
incarceration costs associated with marijuana use (Grigsby et al., 2020). The revenue could
be used to fund public health and education initiatives. Finally, the legalization of marijuana
would allow law enforcement to focus on more serious crimes. In addition, medical
marijuana use could potentially create new jobs in the legal marijuana industry.
On the other hand, some cons associated with medical marijuana use from an
economic perspective include increased costs for health care and addiction treatment and
decreased workforce productivity. Additionally, some people may argue that medical
marijuana use could increase illegal drug use.

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Marijuana use can lead to several negative consequences for people who are in the
justice system for it. These consequences can include jail time, fines, and a criminal record.
Moreso, marijuana use can impair a person's ability to drive, leading to accidents and injuries.
Some of the effects of holding a criminal record due to smoking or possessing marijuana are
much exaggerated (Brown, 2022). Employees can get fired, students can lose tuition aid, and
it is difficult to rent an apartment and access a loan. Besides, the punishment that follows
from the point of arrest through the criminal justice system to complete the sentence is
frustrating, stressful, and unjust. Severally it hits hard on non-violent users of marijuana who
have not indulged in any other criminal activity.
Finally, arguments against the legalization of marijuana typically focus on the
potential negative health effects of the drug. However, there is little scientific evidence to
support these claims. In fact, some studies have shown that marijuana can have many positive
health benefits. For example, marijuana effectively treats conditions like cancer and chronic
pain. Moreover, the legalization of marijuana would allow for more research to be conducted
on the potential health benefits of the drug.

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References

Grigsby, T. M., Hoffmann, L. M., & Moss, M. J. (2020). Marijuana use and potential
implications of marijuana legalization. Pediatrics in Review, 41(2), 61-72.
Brown, M. (2022). Decriminalization as Police Reform. Drug Policy