Marijuana still remains a popular and controversial issue in the United States. Although a lot of slanderous claims have been raised about the substance in recent times, the truth about marijuana is slowly beginning to resurface. Unluckily, the facts raised are under heavy criticism as a result of the stereotypical perspective of what people see as a typical “bang smoker.” This crooked perception of an unmotivated and lazy American is what has led to over 70 years of misinformation and propaganda spread by people with private interests who needed marijuana illegal for their personal gains.
Using marijuana for medicinal reasons is not a recent discovery. In fact, written information to utilize medical marijuana dates back about 50,000 years. In the mid-eighties, western medicine embraced the medical properties of marijuana, and by the twentieth century, doctors and physicians had published numerous papers in Western medical literature, which recommended the use of marijuana for various disorders. These ailments include nausea, pain relief, movement disorder, and glaucoma. Marijuana is also utilized as an appetite stimulant that helps patients with HIV/AIDS and patients with cancer.
Legalization of cannabis can lead to advancements in United States’ economy. One of the largest benefits of legalizing marijuana would be the reintegration of hemp in the society. Hemp is a plant which is grown for industrial use and contains less than one percent THC. Moreover, it does not cause any “highness” when smoked.
Hemp offers numerous advantages over a wide deal of resources that we use. It is commonly utilized in the manufacture of textile products. Since its fibers are durable, hemp is perfect for the production of items such as fabric, paper, and rope. Hemp produces a larger yield per acre compared to cotton and has a cycle growth of only a hundred days instead of one hundred and sixty. Additionally, seeds from hemp give more protein compared to seeds from soy.
With the many benefits marijuana brings, it’s difficult to ascertain why it is still illegal in the United States. To this day, it is hard to hear an argument against the regulation and legalization of cannabis which cannot be quickly refuted or dismissed. Most politicians are worried that supporting this contentious subject would create an adverse reaction from their supporters. The perception among the public is that legalizing cannabis is similar to condoning it, which isn’t the case. One does not need to condone marijuana smoking to support its legalization. The truth is, a lot of individuals would outlaw cigarettes, fast food, and alcohol because of the damage they create. But this the U.S., and America is all about choice and freedom. It is important that the people of America get the choice to enjoy cannabis (which isn’t nearly as harmful as the three products mentioned) without fearing criticism or prosecution. In these times of the economy, the government should be searching for different ways to create jobs, increase citizen morality, and produce ongoing revenue. One way they can achieve this is by overturning this unjust law and legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes.
