Introduction
There used to be a time when no one would consider legalizing marijuana, but that time has passed. Cannabis Sativa, or marijuana, has a long history that can be traced back centuries, with the plant being grown in different locations worldwide. It contains the chemical Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which leads to various mind-altering states among individuals who use it.
Discussion
Due to the qualities of the plant, it has gotten several uses throughout history – during Napoleon’s times, it was used for its pain-relieving and sedative effects. To this day, marijuana legalization has caused significant debate even though the advantages of legalizing cannabis outweigh the disadvantages. If the United States government makes cannabis legal, the criminal justice system will focus on more severe crime, while taxing marijuana users can bring revenue to the government. A country that is known for valuing human liberties should consider the public’s overwhelming support for marijuana legalization and take steps for policy change in favor of public opinion.
Currently, marijuana is being authorized for medical and recreational use in some states, and the public continues to favor its legalization across the country. According to the latest Health & Medicine Week statistics, between 66% and 72% of responders agree that cannabis should be legal to use as a substance for medical and recreational purposes (“Brand New Poll Shows Soaring Bipartisan Support for Federal Cannabis Legalization”). In terms of use in health care, medical marijuana has been used for such clinical benefits as pain management and seizure treatment, with the most significant benefits attained in terms of their improved mood, better quality of life, and relieved pain” (Luque et al.). In their study focusing on the therapeutic benefits of cannabis use in Florida patients, Luque et al. found that 76% of patients reported a score of 8 and higher on a 10-point scale that their overall medical condition improved (Luque et al.). In addition, 68% reported a score of 8 and higher that medical cannabis could significantly reduce pain (Luque et al.). As a result, cannabis use for clinical purposes decreases the need to prescribe patients prescription medicine.
In addition to benefits within the healthcare industry, it is important to consider the economic advantages of cannabis legalization for the government. An essential reason for legalization is the economic benefits that result from the regulated commercial availability of marijuana (Anguelov and McCarthy 98). Specifically, increased revenues from taxation, job growth, and investment opportunities are all significant incentives that allow to push for the federal legalization of cannabis. A counterargument to the financial benefits of legalization is that it would increase costs for taxpayers due to the rising healthcare expenses. These costs may result from drug-related traffic and workplace accidents, addiction treatment for the uninsured, and increased ER visits (Ryan and Rosa). However, President Biden has recently pardoned people convicted of possessing marijuana, directing the government to reconsider cannabis classification under federal law. These steps may be indicative of upcoming changes in how the government will be handling the issue at hand.
Conclusion
To conclude, marijuana should be legalized across the United States because of the social, medical, and economic benefits it can bring to the country. While research on its use and application should continue, the overwhelming support of the public for legalization shows that cannabis is no longer a stigmatized or forbidden topic of discussion. Decriminalizing its possession and use is important for the federal justice system to focus on more severe and problematic offenses. The rise in public support for marijuana legalization is expected to continue, which is why the government should respond to the trend in addition to the benefits enumerated in this paper.
Works Cited
Anguelov, Nikolay, and Michael McCarthy. From Criminalizing to Decriminalizing Marijuana: The Politics of Social Control. Lexington Books, 2018.
“Brand New Poll Shows Soaring Bipartisan Support for Federal Cannabis Legalization.” Health & Medicine Week, 2021, p. 1810. Web.
Luque, Joh, et al. “Mixed Methods Study of the Potential Therapeutic Benefits from Medical Cannabis for Patients in Florida.” Complementary Therapies in Medicine, vol. 57, 2021, pp. 102669.
Ryan, Jessica, and Veronica Rosa. “Healthcare cost associations of patients who use illicit drugs in Florida: a retrospective analysis.” Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, vol. 15, no. 73, 2020.