Medical Marijuana should be Federally Legalized

Marijuana is a preparation of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or medicine. There was a research conducted on marijuana in the late 1970s which is one of the reasons why it created such a bad controversy around marijuana. Dr. Robert Health had conducted the study on monkeys by exposing them to an equivalent of 30 marijuana joints per day. After 90 days, the monkeys began to waste and die. After the autopsy on the monkeys, he reported significant brain damage in the monkeys that had been exposed to cannabis. The procedure was shown very inaccurate upon release. The monkeys were given a mask where only marijuana could only be inhaled causing oxygen to be cut off therefore, suffocation has been the actual cause of brain damage instead of marijuana itself. Even though it was strongly criticized, the federal government still supported this study. This study was later replicated and improved by Dr. William Slikker where there were better controlled studies. His studies found that giving a daily dose within a year, there was no change in the brain structure of the tested monkeys which dismissed Dr. Health’s study.

Medical marijuana is now legalized in 24 states. Everyone is acknowledging the potential of the cannabis industry, and how much it can benefit everyone. Outdated researches are now being replaced by legitimate research and supportive laws. We need to federally legalize medical marijuana in the country because it is proven to help those suffering from various of diseases and disorders, it is much safer than prescription drugs, and cannabis industry brings in millions in tax revenue.

Medical marijuana is used to help those suffering from various of diseases and disorders. Marijuana is used for headaches, cancer, glaucoma, nerve pain, muscle spasm, eating disorders, depression. Medical marijuana can be smoked, vaporized, eaten, and taken as a liquid extract. It is safe for anyone to use as long as it is prescribed to a patient. For example, Amylea is a 2-month year old baby who became the youngest ever marijuana patient in the world. She was born on December 17, 2015. Her parents found her lying in her crib unresponsive and moments later she began to have violent seizures every 4 hours. The seizures became worse, occurring every 2 hours down to 30 minutes. At a point, she experienced a seizure that lasted for more than one hour, and her heart stopped beating. The medications her doctor was prescribing to her was not stopping the seizures. So Amylea’s parents decided to do their research and found medical marijuana. Children’s Hospital of Colorado first refused to prescribe her with the medicine but eventually her parents convinced the doctors. She was given 2 doses of CBD oil extracted from marijuana. Today, her parents reported that her seizures decreased, and she is now more alert when her parents are interacting with her. This shows that medical cannabis is effective, and safe for anyone to use.

Medical marijuana is much safer to use than prescription drugs prescribed to patients by their doctors. In the US alone, more than 15 million people abuse prescription drugs. Prescription drug abuse and addiction kill far more people in the U.S. every year than all illegal drugs combined. Prescription drugs can be obtained anywhere, in your parents’ cabin, from a friend, over the counter and even from craigslist. Thousands overdose from prescription drugs annually but nothing has been done to fix this. Many unethical doctors enable their drug addicted patients. According to Health Care for America Now, 11 of the largest drug corporations made $711 billion . Why are they still prescribing patients with prescription drugs if statistics are showing that they are causing thousands of deaths annually. Doesn’t this make you wonder, are they doing this just for profit? According to Leaf Science, no one has ever overdosed on marijuana. Opioid receptors located in areas of the brain that control breathing. As a result, taking too many painkillers can cause a person to stop breathing. Marijuana acts completely different. They do not affect respiration.

Medical Marijuana industry brings in millions of dollars in Tax Revenue. Washington is one of the 24 states that legalized marijuana. According to Huffington Post, Washington alone made more than 70 million in taxes during their first year of legal and regulated marijuana sales. This is only their first year, expect to see much more revenue and jobs created. Imagine how much that can benefit our country if we federally legalize medical marijuana instead of giving the money straight to into pockets of drug dealers. Washington reports that the state’s marijuana businesses are selling nearly $1.5 million in marijuana per day from about 160 retailers statewide. Currently legal marijuana is the fastest growing industry in the United States. If legalization spreads through to all 50 states, marijuana can be larger than the organic food industry. Unfortunately, marijuana still remains illegal under federal law.

In conclusion, we should fight to legalized marijuana because it is proven to be safe and effective for patients that are suffering from diseases and disorders, it is a great alternative for prescription drugs, and addictive,and the medical cannabis industry brings in millions in tax revenue. Finally, a fun fact is you are more likely to die from drinking too much water than overdose on marijuana.