Why Marijuana Should be Legalized

Cannabis is a substance that grows naturally in many places but is widely considered to be a harmful and negative drug. Cannabis, more commonly known as marijuana, was first made illegal in the U.S. in the 1920’s because it was considered to be a “poison”. The prohibition of marijuana continues today and there are what I believe to be many misconceptions floating around about the drug. I’m here to shed a little light on the subject.

Is marijuana addictive? The simple answer is no, there is absolutely no evidence or reason to believe that marijuana is a physically addicting substance, but the simple answer is not always the best. If someone has an addictive personality then I believe they can form a habit with marijuana, but the same holds true for gambling, food and many other activities. Yes, marijuana can become a habit, but I do not believe that it is the least bit addictive, at least not physically, and so far there is no evidence that says otherwise.

Are there any negative effects from smoking marijuana? Yes, inhaling smoke from marijuana can damage your lungs, but smoking marijuana is not the only way to benefit from its use. Marijuana can be vaporized or baked into different types of food and the negative effects on the lungs would then be a non-issue. Another thing i want to point out is that, while marijuana smoke can damage your lungs, it is nowhere near as bad as the damage done to a cigarette smokers lungs and cigarettes are completely legal.

Are there any positive benefits from the consumption of marijuana? Absolutely! Chemotherapy patients have used cannabis for decades to help boost their appetites enough to where they can eat more healthy and get the nutrition they need. Marijuana has also been shown to benefit people with glaucoma, multiple sclerosis and chronic pain, just to name a few.

What is hemp? Hemp is a natural fiber that comes from the cannabis plant and can be used to make many things such as rope, paper, clothing and much more. Unfortunately it is nearly impossible to grow hemp in the United States despite the fact that it could be a big boost to an economy that certainly needs one.

This is just a summary of  a few of the many reasons why i believe marijuana should be legalized. Marijuana has been illegal in the United States for decades because of a failed drug policy and I think it is time that people learned the truth about a drug that can be a very useful substance if used responsibly.