Introduction
Marijuana is a drug that alters mental functionality its source is the cannabis plant. The drug has brought controversial issues in that it can be used for medicinal or recreational purposes. The drug is among the most abused substances among the youth, making it dangerous for teenagers’ mental health performance. Medical Marijuana has a positive impact on the medical sector in that it is used in treating various diseases. Many physicians have positive views on Marijuana because of its potential of changing the medical industry. In the United States of America, Marijuana was legalized in 36 states where it is used under a doctor’s prescription. Twelve states banished the usage of Marijuana because of the cannabidiol content (CBD). Despite Marijuana being a schedule 1 drug, the amendment of Rohrabacher outlaws the prosecution of people following Marijuana use laws. Usage of Marijuana for recreational purposes was legalized in 18 states, while 13 states prohibit usage of Marijuana. Transportation of Marijuana for commercial purposes is legalized in the jurisdictions that have allowed its use. This is a controversy where groups are arguing about the legalization of Marijuana while the other groups focus on the illegalization of Marijuana.
Legalization and Illegalization Arguments
The group on the legalization of Marijuana provides various arguments on the matter. Medical Marijuana is significant in enhancing many patient performances. This is because it possesses contents such as cannabidiol which is an essential component. The components are vital in lowering insomnia, relieving pain in the conditions such as epilepsy, and relieving anxiety and spasticity (Pacula & Smart, 2017). There are other conditions such as Dravet syndrome, which has been a problem to the medic for a very long time, and with Marijuana, the condition responds appropriately. Marijuana proves to be an effective drug prescription when compared to opiates. This is proved by elderly patients, where most of them have reported a significant improvement when Marijuana is used rather than opiate drugs. Individuals suffering from nerve problems and multiple sclerosis have shown considerable improvement when administered medical Marijuana (Pacula & Smart, 2017). The introduction of Marijuana helped the physician abandon highly sedative drugs such as Opiates and Neurotin. Their usage brought about disengagement when patients were involved in day-to-day tasks.
Individuals suffering from infections such as Parkinson’s have also perceived the importance of legalizing Marijuana. The drug has created the best muscle relaxant in the history of medicine as it lowers muscle tremors. Individuals suffering from post-traumatic disorder (PTSD) have also benefited a lot from the introduction of Marijuana into medicine. The drug helps the patients handle symptoms such as nausea and weight loss. Many patients, especially those from the war zone, have shown a notable improvement from the usage of Marijuana in the treatment of their PTSD condition.
Marijuana favors the medicine industry and the economy of the United States of America. This is proven by the 2020 statistics as the country generated a total of 7.1 US billion dollars from the selling of medical Marijuana (“Medical marijuana in the U.S.”, 2021). This high revenue generation is significant in building various sectors of the economy, especially the crippling medical sector where many American citizens are having problems with medical insurance. Furthermore, the legalization of Marijuana in the USA favors many people, especially retailers. This has resulted in job creation for many people starting from the farmers, transporters, quality checkers, and retailers. In 2017, the number of retailers selling Marijuana in the US was approximately 28,000 (“Medical marijuana in the U.S.”, 2021). This shows how the legalization of Marijuana in the US dramatically favors many people.
The legalization of Marijuana in the US is because of the recreational enjoyment associated with the usage of Marijuana. The drug is not to be used often but occasionally in specified places. Recreational Marijuana has to be free from drug addiction. It is offered freely and conveniently and does not involve interference with work activities or other significant aspects. The user has to use a specified portion of Marijuana that has a mild effect (Sarvet et al., 2018). The drug is used in a social setting that only allows the user to relax and does not involve satisfying other needs and requirements, such as the usage of Marijuana to stimulate sexual desire and appetite. The use of the drug is ensured to focus on the recreational part only.
Although Marijuana has proven to be effective in many aspects of the economy, the opposing groups have focused on ensuring that the drug is banned. The drug has been considered very harmful to all groups in society, with the youths and young adults experiencing the significant impact of the drug. The usage of Marijuana harms mental stability and performance. Studies show that when adolescents use Marijuana for an extended period up to adulthood, the drug results in mental problems. The outcome is proven by malfunctioning various human processes such as memory performance, processing speed, reasoning problems, and reduction in verbal comprehension. From 2019 statistics, it was approximate that more than 48.2 Americans used Marijuana once (“Data and Statistics”, 2021). The usage of Marijuana among individuals was noted to be in about 3 people in 10 individuals (“Data and Statistics”, 2021). It is noted that around two people below the age of 18 begin using Marijuana (“Data and Statistics”, 2021). The usage of Marijuana in the USA has dramatically expanded, making it the top user of Marijuana globally.
Marijuana is also associated with the malfunction of the respiratory system. Many users of Marijuana prefer using it as a cigar which leads to inflammation of the lungs resulting in potential lung diseases and increasing the chances of getting lung cancer. Heavy users of Marijuana also have a higher risk of having reduced pulmonary function (Cancilliere et al., 2018). The Marijuana impacts are severe as it also involves malfunctions in organs such as reproductive and digestive organs. Medical usage of Marijuana lack oversight, which makes its prescription not the same as other drugs. Then drugs are cultivated in various medical dispensaries in different states with different laws and regulatory frameworks. These standards vary significantly from strict to non in other states. Furthermore, crude Marijuana poses a significant threat to patients suffering from HIV/AIDS and cancer. It contains other substances such as molds that compromise the patient’s immune systems.
Despite scientists claiming that Marijuana usage is significant in enhancing the medical performance of patients, the drug has more than 60 cannabinoids that have not yet been fully explored. Most of these compounds require extensive research to prevent potential problems that may result from the combination. There are various states which grow and breed a variety of Marijuana that have multiple cannabinoids (Cancilliere et al., 2018). The Marijuana breed is very risky as they have a higher tetrahydrocannabinol content that is lethal when smoked. Legalizing Marijuana is a threat as it provides potential ways of bypassing the law. Many patients who grow Marijuana for medicinal purposes tend to use it for other purposes rather than its primary use. This increases the rate of drug abuse as many sell the drug in the community without being identified. The contamination of Marijuana in a homegrown environment is very high as the patients have limited information regarding Marijuana. Furthermore, medical Marijuana is a threat to patients with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
Focusing on the social context, Marijuana usage negatively impacts the safety performance in society as one who has used Marijuana cannot drive effectively. This is because the individual’s mental condition is tempered, making it impossible to make informed decisions regarding time, speed, and distance (Park & Holody, 2018). Several studies focusing on the accidents associated with drug usage have associated Marijuana with serious fatality vehicle accidents. Focusing on the youths, Marijuana usage has increased significantly (Aydelotte et al., 2019). The legalization of Marijuana has made the youths believe that Marijuana usage is acceptable in society. This exposes them to several Marijuana risks such as mental disorders and psychosis (short-term and long-term infection).
Comparison and Contrast
The controversy between the two groups focuses on the legalization and illegalization of Marijuana and its products. The legalization of Marijuana focuses on the main advantages that come about from Marijuana and its products. Medical Marijuana has a significant impact on the medical sector as it benefits various patients. There are multiple areas where patients have been having problems, and medical Marijuana has brought the solution. These include PTSD, epilepsy, Dravet condition, and muscle problems. Furthermore, revenue generation has dramatically expanded in the US because of Marijuana legalization. Many people have got jobs in many sectors of the economy, such as Marijuana fields, transporters, and quality checkers. The introduction of Marijuana for recreational purposes focused on lowering drug abuse as many peoples are provided with opportunities to use Marijuana in a social setup without being victimized.
However, Marijuana legalization hurts the medical sections and society. Marijuana affects the mental performance of people leading to mental malfunctions. It increases the chances of lung diseases resulting from smoking Marijuana. Medical Marijuana has many components that remain unexplored and threaten health. The youths have been exposed to drug abuse because of the legalization of Marijuana. Nevertheless, many motor accidents have been associated with Marijuana usage.
Defending Illegalization of Marijuana
The opposing side of Marijuana provides a concrete argument as the future generation of society dramatically depends on the current generation’s mental stability. Having youths who cannot reason properly is a threat to the economy as many aspects of society require mental stability (Cancilliere et al., 2018). Having a society whose youths are greatly dependent on substance abuse is a weakness. Health is the most outstanding achievement in society, and among the basic needs that one requires is health. The government acquires high revenue from the legalization of Marijuana which may later be used in intervention programs. This shows that it is of no importance if the same funds received have to be used on medication. It is crucial lowering the number of accidents that result from the usage of Marijuana (Park & Holody, 2018). Many people lose their lives because of such accidents, which could have been avoided by implementing suitable policies regarding Marijuana.
References
Aydelotte, J., Mardock, A., Mancheski, C., Quamar, S., Teixeira, P., Brown, C., & Brown, L. (2019). Fatal crashes in the 5 years after recreational Marijuana legalization in Colorado and Washington. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 132, 13-29. Web.
Cancilliere, M., Yusufov, M., & Weyandt, L. (2018). Effects of co-occurring Marijuana use and anxiety on brain structure and functioning: A systematic review of adolescent studies. Journal of Adolescence, 65, 177-188. Web.
Data and Statistics: Marijuana: CDC. Cdc.gov. (2021). Web.
Medical marijuana in the U.S. Statista. (2021). Web.
Pacula, R., & Smart, R. (2017). Medical Marijuana and Marijuana legalization. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 13(1), 397-419. Web.
Park, S., & Holody, K. (2018). Content, exposure, and effects of Public Discourses about Marijuana: A Systematic Review. Journal of Health Communication, 23(12), 1036-1043. Web.
Sarvet, A. L., Wall, M. M., Fink, D. S., Greene, E., Le, A., Boustead, A. E., Pacula, R. L., Keyes, K. M., Cerdá, M., Galea, S., & Hasin, D. S. (2018). Medical marijuana laws and adolescent marijuana use in the United States: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Addiction, 113(6), 1003–1016. Web.
