Legalization of Marijuana
By: Michael Antablian
Who said Marijuana couldn't be used for medical use?
Cannabis plants have been in use as far back as 7000 B.C. In states that are legalized, Marijuana is used for calming down depression, people is AIDS, glaucoma, and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Marijuana vs. Alcohol
An argument made is that marijuana users don't drop dead immediately unlike Alcoholics . The thought that comes to mind when people consume alcohol is that the people are out of hand/crazy, with marijuana people are more mellow and laid back. Alcohol becomes more of a social problem because of all the accidents that happen. An oncologist in the state of California (marijuana is legalized) prescribes marijuana to increase appetite, slow down nausea, and decrease depression. "i would never prescribe Alcohol." Abrams stated (oncologist from CA)
"We need to get beyond the political debate and into medical terms. That's where the public is. This is really about patients and their suffering....For them, medical use of marijuana should give them comfort and not the threat of arrest or jail."--Dianne Byrum, spokeswoman for the Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care
Legalizing Marijuana
California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996. Those that appose Marijuana say that marijuana acts as a gateway drug to more harsh drugs that will eventually lead to addictions. Legalizing Marijuana will decrease the criminal rate for marijuana possession.
Citations
Weise, Elizabeth. "Is Marijuana More Dangerous Than Alcohol?." Gannett News Service. 20 Jan. 2014: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 10 Feb. 2014.
ProQuest Staff. "At Issue: Medical Marijuana." ProQuest LLC. 2014: n.pag. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 10 Feb. 2014.
ProQuest Staff. "At Issue: Marijuana Legalization." ProQuest LLC. 2014: n.pag. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 10 Feb. 2014.