Introduction
For the longest time on the face of the earth, Marijuana has been considered a hard drug whose consumption is associated with only negative side effects like a possible cause of cancer, ruins so many lives, it is assumed to have a lot of unhealthy chemicals; to some extent it has even caused death among other reasons. Most of these reasons have been used by nations and even the international communities to illegalize Marijuana and influence the minds of the people a fact that prevents most people to think of the positive effects associated with Marijuana like the termination of cancer and tumor growth, if legalized, government can earn tax through it hence contributing to the economy among others. For this reason this paper will discuss the concept that legalizing Marijuana maybe the answer to many problems we face today including our economies, eating and sleeping disorders, anxiety, and certain medical problems.
Reasons for Legalizing Marijuana
Research has shown that there are in fact very strong reasons why Marijuana should be legalized. Some of these reasons overshadow the negative reasons that contribute to Marijuana being associated with the Rastafarians and the gangsters who of course consume it in immense quantities since it is not legalized.
- 1. Medical benefits
In the first place, Marijuana is not a lethal drug and is safer to consume than alcohol as proposed by readers of Hightimes (2007). In addition, Messerli (2010) argues that compared to tobacco, Marijuana is far less harmful when used in moderation. Messerli (2010) argues that most doctors would agree that Marijuana consumption is not harmful when used in moderation. The problem why Marijuana has been associated with adverse medical problems like mental retardations and is the abuse or misuse of the substance mainly through administration in large quantities that don’t align with the body system.
Zimmer and Morgan (1997) base their arguments on demystified Marijuana Myths and provide support to legalization of Marijuana using facts after reviewing scientific evidence. In the first place, Zimmer and Morgan (1997) dismiss the myth that points out Marijuana as having harms proven scientifically by pointing out that in the 1960’s and 1970’s, people believed in the harmlessness of Marijuana compared to today where the National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse pointed out dangers associated with it making people believe it wasn’t entirely safe. Scientific research on animals, plants and human beings concerning this issue proved otherwise.
Furthermore, scientists have proved that Marijuana has several medical values like reduction of Nausea induced by cancer chemotherapy (Alexander, 2009), stimulation of appetite in AIDs patients (California Narcotic Officers’ Association 1996), reduction of Intraocular Pressure in glaucoma patients, no brain damage, no marijuana induced amotivational syndrome, no association with permanent mental illness (Benson, Watson, 1999), no interference with Male or female sex hormones, no consistent physical, developmental, or cognitive deficits related to prenatal exposure to Marijuana, and no impairments of memory and cognition, immune system (Abrams, MD, et al, 2003), and lung functionality as compared to Tobacco (Zimmer and Morgan, 1997). Marijuana is also used in the treatment of depression (Messerli, 2010). As evidence, in November 2009, Michigan legalized Marijuana for medical purposes as the 13th state (Alexander 2009).
- 2. Economic Benefits
According to Hightimes (2007) Marijuana is quite expensive for the justice system and should instead be taxed to support beneficial government programs. The Hightimes readers (2007) argue that these would direct law enforcement to more important responsibilities than arresting over 750,000 individuals a year for Marijuana possession, especially considering the additional justice expenses of disposing these cases. In the United States, marijuana arrests are costly while misusing jail rooms, distracting time of attorneys, judges, and police and corrections officials. In addition, Hightimes (2007) readers argue that the legalization would make hemp a precious and varied farming crop in the United States, and of use as a bio-fuel to reduce reliance on oil and reduce carbon emissions. Klein (2009) argues that legal hemp would create an authentic Marijuana economic-stimulus package. Canada and European countries though haven’t legalized marijuana support legal hemp cultivation.
In our country, the opposition to legal hemp cultivation is the greatest hindrance. Conversely, hemp cultivation legalization will promote bio-fuels advancements as an oil reliance substitute and reduce carbon emissions as hemp stalk increases no food requirements like corn. Furthermore, legalized marijuana would mean lose of most or all businesses by drug dealers and terrorists (Messerli 2010). This will mean smuggling of billions of dollars underground economy from the American economy to International criminal gangs and drug cartels would be reduced (Hightimes 2007) while contributing to tax revenues like tax on alcohol, and cigarettes (Messerli 2010). This regulated, legal Marijuana market would reduce the sales and use among young people especially teenagers, and curb the exposure to hard drugs (Hightimes 2007). As a result, street integrity related to drug disputes would be reduced in presence of proper disputes settlements unlike the current manner of series of retaliatory fighting (Messerli 2010). Legalization of Marijuana will reduce risks of experimenting with other illegal/hard drugs and increase chances to arrest drug dealers (Lake 2007) while reducing other felonies like rape, robbery, and murder. This would be a beneficial move in the promotion of security and a great contribution to personal freedom-give us drugs after a certain age (Klein 2009).
- 3. Spiritual Benefits
Contrary to religions believes, Marijuana has been used to promote meditation which is considered a definitive tool for self-knowledge which occurs when one uncovers inner confusion abenefit that is absent in depressants (Joan 2010). People with continued use of marijuana, she says, have ended up experiencing greater freedom which is an overall benefit of insightfulness. In her book Joan (2010) argues that with an unlocked and attentive consciousness, the experienced results are spiritual realizations which are immaterial in conventional thinking.
In the recent world, this concept is not understood due to existing high morals and ethics that govern structured religions, but are hard to uphold when personal endurance is at risk. Legalization of Marijuana will play an important universal role in the breaking down of the conditioned defensive mentality. In addition, Joan (2010) illustrates that marijuana has tremendous benefits of bringing into light the distracted perspectives responsible for social, class, and racial conflict. This is as a result of opening the perception door and allowing the perspective of the inspirational values of human life.
Another spiritual benefit of marijuana is in the area of private values where benefits go far beyond private ego up to the ever-present “now” aspect. In addition, marijuana is viewed by Joan (2010) as with the ability to uncover the yet to be woken yearning by each of us to experience a higher meaning of life and allows us a foretaste of the deep reality a fact that makes marijuana loved and apprehended by founding by the user. An example of spiritual embracement of Marijuana is among the Hindus who believe that anything that exhibit likelihood for psycho or divine uplifting is sacred and so marijuana is accepted and well-regarded since to them it brings union with the Divine spirit (Joan 2010). In human life, there is an intuition referred to as the sixth sense. It is found that, marijuana, given time and interest, and cheer up the Center of Knowing which is known as the Knowledge Center or the sixth level of development often described as the third eye.
- 4. Other benefits
Other benefits of legalization of Marijuana are the relaxation unlike violence related to alcohol consumption, minimizes cases of misuse like tobacco and alcohol that are legalized, promotion of democracy since some religions use it but illegalization takes it away, it is a natural plant like all others, as well as promotion of liberty among others (Lukeaxx 2009) .
Conclusion
The spiritual benefits of Marijuana are collective ranging from diminution in physical tensions, dissolution of mental fears, to paving way to superior insights. The end result is only obtained when the direct consequence of Marijuana on the body and the attention side effect of the mind feeling high familiarize, the focus is in the adjustments something that makes many uncomfortable and confused instead of fuller consciousness, making them quit. It is observed that marijuana has more health benefits only if it has a regulated consumption schedule and so legalizing it will require legalized prescriptions and use which will make less of a negative influence. Other benefits are economical benefits where tax will be charged by governments which will result to improved economy.
References
Abrams D., (2003). Top Ten Pros and Cons: Treating aids with Marijuana. Retrieved on 04-04-2011 from http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000141last updated on 05-06-2009.
Alexander L., (2009). Should Smoking Marijuana be a Medical Option? Retrieved on 04-04-2011 from http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/01/17/article/should_smoking_marijuana_be_a_medical_optionlast updated on 18-01-2009.
Benson J. (1999). Marijuana and Medicine. Retrieved on 04-04-2011 from http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=6376&page=R18 last updated 1999.
California Narcotic Officers’ Association, (1996). Marijuana Medicine and Science. Retrieved on 04-04-2011 from http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=9586&page=1 last updated in 2000.
Hightimes (2007). 420 Campaign – Top Ten Reasons Marijuana should be Legal. Retrieved on 04-04-2011 from http://hightimes.com/legal/ht_admin/1842 last updated on 13-03-2007.
Joan (2010). The Benefits of Marijuana. Retrieved on 04-04-2011 from http://www.benefitsofmarijuana.com/benefits.php last update 2010.
Klein J., (2009). Why Legalizing Marijuana Makes Sense. Retrieved on 04-04-2011 from http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1889021,00.html last updated on 02-04-2009.
Lake R., (2007). Legalized Marijuana Good for Economy. Retrieved on 04-04-2011 from http://stonerarmy.com/node/106 last updated on 29-09-2007
Lukeaxx, (2009). Reasons for Marijuana Legalization. Retrieved on 04-04-2011 from http://www.marijuana.com/legalization-decriminalization/136706-reasons-marijuana-should-legalized.html last updated on 27-12-2009.
Messerli J., (2010). Should Marijuana be Legalize under any Circumstance. Retrieved on 04-04-2011 from http://balancedpolitics.org/marijuana_legalization.htm last updated on 20-04-2010
Zimmer L. and Morgan J., (1997). Marijuana Facts. Retrieved on 04-04-2011 from http://www.stonerarmy.com/node/53 last updated on 1997
