When Legalizing Marijuana Should Be Considered

Legalizing marijuana is a debate that has been taken to the door steps of policy makers and governmental authorities. This is because of new discoveries about the immense benefits associated with its intake. The push is to remove it from the list of criminal activities to facilitate proper use and regulation. Such a policy exists when dealing with alcohol whose effects are sometimes considered more harmful.

The benefits of legal cannabis are health, medical and economic. Citizens will be encouraged to grow the plant as a cash crop and in return reap huge rewards. The government will get a new avenue for tax collection. It becomes a lucrative employer which solves other social problems directly or indirectly. Changing the view from a criminalized plant to a legal one brings all activities associated with cannabis on the table. They cease to become the destructive underground operations that have characterized its growth, sale and distribution over the years. It enters into the tax bracket for governments.

The resources used to fight drugs would be diverted to other more productive areas. This includes fighting crime and enhancing law and order in public places. Courts would also be free to deal with legitimate issues other than follow farmers trying to meet a genuine living. Freedom to grow the plant leads to creativity as farmers can identify new uses to enhance existing products in order to widen consumption bracket.

Reputable researchers have been compiling the medical reasons for using marijuana. Their lists are based on extensive research and testing with the aim of establishing reasonable quantities, frequency and side effects. A breakthrough has been recorded with reduced suicide rates in states being studied. This is attributed to reduction in stress which takes the mind away from suicidal thoughts.

Researchers have ranked depression relief high among the health reasons for using marijuana. This is associated with prevention of depression through delayed anxiety and panic attacks. This leads to psychological stability even when faced with difficult situations. Cannabis may also be used to manage suicidal ideation, psychosis and schizophrenia. Mental health is determined by certain personality traits. This has seen similar treatment lead to different results.

Answering the question should marijuana be legalized requires an evaluation of information coming from economists and medical researcher in renowned world universities. They have advocated for development of policies to guide access and use of cannabis instead of criminalizing it. It should be used with active prescriptions only. Other social support structures like health care must be provided to prevent misuse. Tests are ongoing to determine dosage in different situations.

The danger posed by legalizing marijuana in a haphazard manner emanates from the tendency to turn it into a recreation tool. The effects of such a move include addiction which has far reaching social and economic implications. There is a recorded discrepancy between the effects of marijuana on men and women at a certain age. A comparison of the long term effects of alcohol and cannabis is in favor of cannabis.

Decriminalized cannabis has far reaching psychological effects on the users. It gets rid of the guilt feeling which makes users to easily follow prescriptions that will be given by qualified medical experts. The area and time of use will be restricted. This will keep it away from use for recreation purposes and end the underground business that has caused more health harm than good. It is easier to monitor the health of users since their intake is controlled.

Some findings have confirmed marijuana as a pain relief agent. It does not need processing and is easy to administer. Its incorporation in foods and drinks helps to avoid the tradition method of ingestion through smoking. The manufacture and distribution of cookies is regulated to prevent abuse. The system is legal and under the control of the government and necessary authorities.

Lobbyists have fronted stress reduction as the single most important benefit of cannabis use. A society that is free of stress increases productivity and reduces crimes. Stress is associated with low immunity and therefore cannabis would indirectly reduce cases of illnesses.

Legalizing marijuana is a debate that is spreading in different corners of the world. The entry of renowned universities and scholars is bound to add impetus to the push. Fronting of health and economic benefits adds legitimacy to the debate making it worthwhile.