The Legalization Of Medical Marijuana Essay

The legalization of marijuana is important to provide the legal possibility for the use of medical marijuana in the US. In spite of the traditionally negative view of Americans on marijuana, the legalization of the drug is essential for medical purposes because many researches prove the effectiveness of marijuana in the treatment of serious health conditions, such as Alzheimer disease and other health problems (Nestler & Malenka, 2004). In such a situation, the legalization of marijuana can open the way for the medical use of the drug to treat patients with various health problems.

The youth is more supportive in relation to the legalization of marijuana, but the older population opposes to the legalization of the drug comprising the larger part of the public opposing to the legalization of the drug in the US (Associated Press, 2014). In fact, the position of the older generation may be determined by the traditional view on marijuana as a dangerous drug. In spite of the fact that marijuana is traditionally associated with light drugs, it still is a drug and, therefore, can cause addiction and related health and social problems.

In addition, opponents of the legalization of marijuana (Lopatto, 2014) believe that this decision will increase the risk of the consumption of marijuana by teens because the drug will become more available to them and it will be easier for teens to buy marijuana for recreational use. The legalization of marijuana may increase the production of marijuana on the legal ground, while its legal sale will open the way for teens to buy marijuana easier. Teens cannot assess properly and adequately risks associated with the consumption of marijuana. This is why the easier access to the drug increases the risk of the development of drug addiction.

However, even in case of the legalization of marijuana, the drug will be banned for minors. Therefore, the sale of marijuana to minors will be illegal anyway. In addition, it is worth mentioning the fact that the legalization of marijuana may include the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes only. In such a way, marijuana will not be available to teens, unless they have the illegal way to purchase the drug. However, the legalization of marijuana does not change the current situation because teens will take marijuana illegally, even in case of its legalization.

Furthermore, opponents of the legalization of marijuana view marijuana as a dangerous drug but they apparently underestimate the potential of marijuana as the medicament. Some other drugs that are currently used in medicine may also cause addiction but they are legal, although their production and sales are strictly controlled. In such a situation, the public should understand that marijuana is a drug that can be used in the treatment of patients with different health problems (Mcdonough, 2000). The legalization of marijuana for medical purposes makes marijuana no different from other drugs that are already used in the contemporary medicine and that have the similar addictive properties as marijuana has (Wolf, 2002). In addition, in spite of the illegal status of marijuana, it is the third popular recreational drug after alcohol and tobacco.

Thus, the legalization of marijuana will not aggravate the problem of the drug addiction because, at the moment, marijuana is already the most popular recreational drug. Teens and other groups will not have access to marijuana, if the drug is legalized for medical use only.

 

References:

Associated Press. (2014). Americans Split on whether Marijuana Should Be Legalized but Fewer Favor Online Gambling. Retrieved on May 9, 2014 from http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/breaking-news/index.ssf/2014/05/americans_split_on_whether_mar.html

Lopatto, E. (2014). “Marijuana Legalization: What about the Teens?” Forbes. Retrieved on May 9, 2014 from http://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethlopatto/2014/04/24/marijuana-legalization-what-about-the-teens/

Mcdonough, J.R. (2000). “Marijuana on the Ballot.” Policy Review, p.51-55.

Nestler, E. and Malenka, R. (Mar. 2004). “The Addicted Brain”. Scientific American, p.78-83.

Wolf, M. (2002). “Addiction: Making the Connection Between Behavioral Changes and Neuronal Plasticity,” in Specific Pathways Molecular Interventions, 2, p.146-157.

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

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"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

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freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
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[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]
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