Legalization of Marijuana

Jenna Fanini, Student Writer|January 31, 2022

Marijuana is more than a drug, it is medicine. Medical marijuana is the new modern medicine. However, it is still not accessible to American Citizens suffering from illnesses, diseases, and other medical problems. Regardless of the several petitions made to the Department of Health’s ailment qualifications of medical marijuana, ill and diseased people suffer due to the Department’s lack of ability to accommodate all.  It is time for a change. All medical patients deserve access to medicine, even when that medicine is Marijuana. To begin, the United States should legalize marijuana, in all states.

Photograph of a marijuana plant. Leaves are present, no buds of marijuana are present.

Marijuana is currently only legal in 18 out of the United States 50, according to the US Jurisdiction. Therefore, only 36 percent of the nation’s population has access to marijuana; 64 percent of the population does not have access. The 64 percent of patients without access to marijuana may not have other medicines available to fix, help, and/or alleviate pains and problems. Marijuana can aid mental illness, relieve chronic pain, regulate seizures, aid developmental disabilities, fight cancers, and aid in diseases, such as Parkinson’s. With the legalization of marijuana, patients with these medical problems can be alleviated of the pain and discomfort.

Photograph of tobacco pipes/water bongs. Used for smoking marijuana.

On the other hand, marijuana is viewed as a highly addictive drug with the ability to destroy people’s lives and even the lives of those around them. Marijuana is compared to drugs such as cocaine, meth, and other hard chemical-based drugs. The PMS Labs define marijuana as a highly addictive drug with harsh withdrawal symptoms that damages the health of the brain and respiratory system. However, the medical benefits of marijuana outweigh the medical damage. Most people would benefit from the legalization because of the health benefits. Although some individuals who abuse marijuana may fall victim to the medical damages, 64 percent more of the population could thrive with the medical benefits of marijuana. Therefore, marijuana should be legalized to provide patients with the best and proper medications for medical problems.