Marijuana Editorial

Legalization of Marijuana

Can you imagine a therapeutic drug for such things as cancer and AIDS, a drug that the government would make large amounts of money on, a drug that could keep many out of jail, and this same drug that would save trees for it could produce paper? The legalization of marijuana is being pushed by many organizations and people, some even cops.  The Canadian government has to quit ignoring the subject of legalizing marijuana, and start looking at all the positive outcomes from it.

Marijuana does not cause brain damage, genetic damage, or damage the immune system. Respitory health hazards can be avoided by ingesting in such ways as eating (in baked foods), tincture, or vaporizer. It also does not kill brain cells, cause a strong addiction or liver damage, like legalized cigarettes and alcohol. It has also been studied that not a single person has died from the use of marijuana, or could die from marijuana alone.  Medical marijuana helps manage pain felt by trauma patients, cancer patients and patients experiencing nerve damage. Marijuana has an active chemical component called tetrahydrocannabinol which acts as an analgesic that helps patients relax and deal with pain. Studies have also shown it can help prevent the worsening of Alzheimer’s disease, for it has the ability to arrest the formation of plaques in the brain. Marijuana can also stimulate appetites and keeping food down, which help patients who have cancer and HIV/AIDS. Finally, it has also shown positive development when it comes to treating asthma and glaucoma. There are just a few advantages of medical marijuana.

People who smoke marijuana for recreational use also pay taxes, love and support their families, and work hard to make a better life for their children. Suddenly, they are arrested and treated like criminals, only because of their choice of recreational drug. This causes great amount of pain, suffering and financial hardship for millions of people all over Canada.  Responsible marijuana smokers do not cause any harm or danger to society, they are not a problem and it is time to stop arresting them. The legalization of marijuana would keep thousands of people out of jail, which would bring down taxes, and save families.

Another positive outcome of growing and legalizing the plant marijuana, also called hemp, is that it produces the same amount of cellulose fibre as 4.1 acres of trees. Hemp grows back in four months, compared to trees which grow back every twenty-odd years. Hemp also produces paper at one-quarter the cost of wood pulp, creating one-fifth of the population, and can make four times more gasohol or methanol from hemp stalks than from corn. It is one of the strongest natural fibres there is, and until the 20^th century, it provided almost all the globe’s rope, textiles, clothing and paper. Economically, legalizing hemp would help the government tremendously.

Overall, marijuana is not a horrible drug. It is a natural drug that should be used to improve health and taxes. It can be used as medical drug, a tree saving plant, and also used as recreational purpose. These are only a few advantages of marijuana, and it is about time the Canadian government starts looking at them.