Should Weed Be Legalized? Find out the Pros and Cons

An issue that has divided a nation, the legalization of marijuana has few people that have a neutral opinion about it. Thus far, more than 20,000 studies have been published on the scientific nature and active compounds in it. This makes it one of the most studied plants on earth.

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Pros of Legalizing Marijuana

Besides being a recreational drug, cannabis has found countless commercial uses. More than 25,000 products can be made from this crop. Common uses may include:

-  Paper
-  Construction and Thermal Insulation Materials
-  Geotextiles
-  Dynamite
-  Insect Repellent

Although 25,000 products can be made from marijuana, the problem is the question of legality, which has halted the growth and development of such products. Additionally, another one of the pros of legalizing cannabis is a human rights issue. Do you want someone else telling you what you can and cannot have when it is your body? This issue has only been compounded by the fact that marijuana has been shown to be less harmful than alcohol. You cannot die from overdose on it. Moreover, it is less common for people to visit drug rehab centers due to marijuana addiction.


Prohibition Creates Larger Problems

With marijuana made illegal, it creates a black market that gives power to the drug cartels. The biggest opponents of legalization are the drug pushers because they make large sums of cash due to the absence of competition. In bringing marijuana to the business world, the FDA oversees production and regulates the sales. According to CNBC.com, cannabis is estimated to be a $40-billion-per-year industry. If federal and state regulation took advantage of it, they would create another source of revenue for the country.



Proven Medical Benefits

Since 1985, the FDA has approved of a drug called Marinol, a derivative of marijuana. Marinol has been prescribed for the vomiting and nausea associated with chemotherapy. Also, it can be used to treat appetite loss for those with weight loss due to AIDS.



Easier to Study

While marijuana has more than 20,000 published studies, it still has not been fully researched due to the red tape surrounding the drug. If marijuana were to be made legal, it makes research less complicated.




The Cons of Legalizing Marijuana

Sends a Negative Message to Children

After years of people saying not to do drugs, they go and legalize it. Additionally, legalization will mean more people use the drug, which makes it easier for children to access. A child's body is not equipped to handle the usage of these substances; it can deal a major blow to their brains and bodies. Any time something has been made legal, it becomes more accessible to children.



Stoned Driving and Other Dangers

Drunk driving continues to be a problem in society, despite the stiff penalties and education. Driving while high would be difficult to detect unless the user smoked in their car because the smell is not as distinctive as alcohol. Additionally, a lapse in judgment could lead to harder crimes such as robbery and rape.



Physical Damage Done to Cannabis Users

While physical damage studies have often been disputed, the abuse of marijuana has been associated with lung damage, cancer, amotivational syndrome, depression and brain damage. The argument for brain damage is that it has been shown to lead to memory loss and difficulty solving problems. The government has a duty to protect people from substances that potentially harm the public.



It is believed that cannabis has been a cultivated crop since humans first began agriculture; the agricultural revolution began around 10,000 years ago. The first recorded report of it being used came from the Greek historian Herodotus. The first record was written in 430 BC that the Scythian tribe of horsemen were using it for recreational use, as well as ceremonial purposes in modern day Kazakhstan.