Today, marijuana and its effect on users are some of the most controversial topics in the United States. Due to its medicinal benefits, many believe that this substance should be legalized, although there are some who claim that the potential for abuse of the drug is high and must remain illegal. Through their research, the supporters of medical marijuana have presented a solid argument for legalization of this substance.
The opponents of marijuana have given numerous reasons why it should be illegal. One of these reasons is that marijuana smoke contains carcinogens and causes dependency in users. Although the substance has been proven to damage the lungs, most studies done on this issue have failed to show the connection between marijuana usage and lung cancer. The United States Foods and Drugs Association has tested the efficacy of medical marijuana and established that cannabinoids are important in treating nausea and pain from chemotherapy, spinal cord injury, and neuropathic pain, which patients with multiple sclerosis, metastatic cancer, and diabetes experience. Â
No evidence has shown that patients using medical marijuana become addicted. Although this is an argument from the opposing side, they do not have any proof to support their claim, making it an invalid argument. There are a lot of pharmaceutical drugs which are addictive yet legal. Therefore, arguing that marijuana should remain illegal because it’s addictive is illogical since there are so many harmful substances present in the society which are still legal.
Other opponents such as DEA have consistently argued that marijuana does not have any medical value despite research showing that it helps in relieving pain, nausea, glaucoma, spasticity, and movement disorders. Additionally, research has proven that medical marijuana helps patients with HIV/AIDS.
HIV/AIDS is one of the leading causes of deaths, particularly in African Americans. When a patient suffers from this disease, they experience severe body pains as well as loss of appetite. A lot of patients have complained that the pharmaceutical drugs provided by physicians do not help them cope with the disease. However, some studies show that medical marijuana helps HIV patients get better results as it restores their appetites and replenishes their body strength.
NORML has shown that seventy-five percent of Americans support the legalization of marijuana. This includes making the drug legally available for physicians to prescribe. This ratio shows that many people want medical marijuana given to patients who are severely ill. They understand that legalizing it will only make medical marijuana accessible to sick patients and not people who want to use it for leisure purposes.
Many of the reasons given by those opposing the legalization of medical marijuana are irrelevant. The significance of using marijuana for medicinal purposes can be proven by the evidence accumulated from various studies. The DEA have allowed millions of patients to suffer for a long time because they are unwilling to provide the care these patients deserve. Research has already shown that marijuana has medicinal value. Therefore, this substance should not be withheld from patients any longer!
