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The economic impact of marijuana legalization
Drugs legalization
Drugs legalization
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Medical Marijuana refers to the use of cannabis or marijuana, including constituents of cannabis, THC and other cannabinoids, as a physician-recommended form of medicine or herbal therapy. Cannabis use in the United States dates back as early as colonial times and it was undoubtedly the most valuable crop in the Jamestown colony of Virginia, where it was used as hemp.
The industrial quality of cannabis, was used to create essential items such as clothing, ropes, and paper. Interestingly enough, the demand for hemp was growing so rapidly that virtually every farmer was expected to grow hemp and in 1776, the founding fathers of America signed the illustrious Declaration of Independence, a document made from hemp paper. (Hennessy; What 's the
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("Medical Marijuana Law and Legal Definition."). The theory is nonsensical since it’s based on a generic idea that can be applied to practically all drugs. For instance, if a cigarette smoker or a heavy drinker begins to experiment with stronger drugs then both the cigarette and alcohol can also be considered a “gateway drug.” Statistically speaking, only 1 out of 104 marijuana users experiment with cocaine and less than 1 out of 104 marijuana users do heroin. The only reason why marijuana is perceived to have a gateway effect is because of prohibition, since marijuana dealers in black markets often encourage their customers to try some of the more powerful drugs they’re selling in order to make a bigger profit. Further, there are no addictive chemicals in cannabis so users are not subject to harsh withdrawals or serious addiction. Thus, if cannabis is neither harmful to the brain or lungs and is not as addictive and powerful as other substances like alcohol or cigarettes, then that can only mean that cannabis possesses an abundance of beneficial qualities that haven’t received the same attention from the …show more content…
California has benefited the most from its legalization policies, since cannabis rakes in a staggering $14 billion a year in sales. (Pot Legalization Could Save U.S” 4). Moreover, legalizing cannabis will bring back a massive new market that will create millions of jobs across the country, ranging from traditional farmers to government positions in the public sector, and will even introduce an entirely new fuel industry since hemp can be used to create natural bio-diesel fuel. (Pot Legalization Could Save U.S” 4). Since hemp can be grown almost anywhere in the world, it makes it an unparalleled, mass-scale source of natural fuel large enough to create a significant reduction in pollution from fossil-fuel consumption. (Pot Legalization Could Save U.S” 4). Overall, cannabis is can evidently be America’s billion-dollar crop once more, if not its first trillion-dollar crop considering the potential uses it can contribute to today’s
In 1940, the import of hemp during World War II was a big factor in creating supplies such as parachutes or cordage. In the 1960’s, President Kennedy found from research that marijuana does not induce violence or lead to heavier drug use. George Washington, the first president of our beloved country, grew cannabis on his plantations. Thomas Jefferson also grew hemp as a reliable
There are many different words for what was originally considered, “hemp” to the ancient world. Some are, cannabis, marijuana, weed, and pot. Over time, the different words have reflected the views and uses of hemp through different societies and time periods. Hemp dates back to the early Mesopotamian days in what is considered Turkey today. It is the first known plant to be domestically cultivated. According to research, “The oldest relic of human history is hemp fabric dated to 8,000 BCE.” In 1492, Christopher Columbus brought hemp as a rope to America. His ships were full of hemp fabric used for uniforms, parachutes, ropes, sails, baggage, shoes and many more military uses. To free the American colonies from England press, Benjamin Franklin started a paper mill, which used cannabis to create paper and print books. This allowed America to have free colonial press from Britian without having to ask for them. The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were both drafted on hemp paper. Betsey Ross made the first flag of the United States of America out of hemp, which was the strongest known fiber at the time. “Farmers from 1942 through 1945 who agreed to grow hemp were waived from serving in the military, along with their sons; that is how vitally important hemp was to America during World War II.” Henry Ford also used hemp-based plastic to create vehicles, which was proven to be stronger and lighter than steel and could withstand much more impact without denting. He also used hemp-based ethanol fuel, which was more efficient. Hemp had been used widely throughout the United States before it became illegal and served many purposes.
Medical marijuana is becoming increasingly popular with patient with chronic pain, cancer, HIV patients, and patients with epilepsy. Patients who use medical marijuana are able to use many different forms of
The Jamestown settlers cultivated hemp produced by the marijuana plant. They used these fibers to make clothing, rope, and canvas because of its quality and durability. Physicians in the 19th century were prescribing cannabis as a pain reliever, an anticonvulsant, and for migraine headaches (Doweiko, 2002). Following his work in India in the 1840's William
Medical marijuana refers to the use of cannabis and its chemical compound, which is THC and CBD, as medical therapy to treat disease or alleviate symptoms. The marijuana plant has a history of medical use dating back thousands of years through many cultures. Its usage in modern times is controversial, and in recent years the American Medical Association, the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and other pharmaceutical organizations have issued statements opposing its usage for medical reasons. From the early 1900s to the 1950s marijuana, opium, and coc...
Using the argument that marijuana will cause addiction upon the individual is purely inadequate to other drugs that come with the similar potential to cause addiction. All of medications come with risk factors, it just depends on the whether the individual is responsible or irresponsible. For example, a responsible adult will take the drug for amount of time prescribed and after the drug took its course of action he or she will cease taking the medication unless told otherwise by a healthcare professional. Prevention strategies for addiction includes “Reducing the availability of excess prescription medications” (Addiction Prevention). With marijuana, yes, it may be more of a challenge just to cease from taking the drug but as mentioned above, responsibility and education of long term effects are essential to reducing the risk of becoming addicted just as other drugs. Commercialized treatment options or medications, always speed up the narrator’s speaking when it comes to the mentioning of the adverse effects. Most of the time, the adverse effects outweigh the main purpose of taking the drug, despite that we still ingest the medication to return back to our normal health or to recover. Society has not overlooked the ugly or imperfect portion of marijuana being a treatment option, instead society has done the exact opposite. Medical use of marijuana should be a medical options
Marijuana has been used for medicinal purposes for over the 3,000 years and has been met with much resistance in the recent decade (Bearman 12). In the early part of the century, marijuana, also known as cannabis, was a part of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) for about 90 years, but drug companies began to drop marijuana from medications when the 1937 Marihuana Tax Act was passed (4-6). Medical marijuana can be used in two ways; it can be smoked in a cigarette form or taken in a capsule. Marijuana’s most potent ingredient is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can be taken as a pill, but is “easily
A term often flung about in opposition of Marijuana is “Gateway Drug.” A term that, of all arguments against Marijuana Legalization, has had one of the most demonizing effects. What people mean when they throw this shock term around is that Marijuana itself isn’t horribly dangerous, a rather conservative admission in the face of overwhelming facts, it sets one along the path to harder, more dangerous drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, and/or methamphetamine.
The history of marijuana in the United States dates to early colonial times. ``In 1619, America's first marijuana law was enacted at Jamestown Colony, Va., `ordering' all farmers to `make tryal of' (grow) Indian hemp seed.” (Tribune) A by-product of the cannabis plant is hemp. Today, hemp can be used to make fabrics, construction, paper, medicines, oils, body care products, and molded plastics. In colonial times hemp was used to make various textile products and in the 1800s hemp was found to have medicinal benefits. Herer says in his book, The Emperor Wears No Clothes, “various marijuana and hashish extracts were the first, second or third most-prescribed medicines in the United States from 1842 until the 1890s. (Herer) For centuries people have recognized the medicinal properties of cannabis; “depending on the c...
In the last fiscal year alone, marijuana brought 70 million dollars in tax revenue in the state of Colorado. Colorado was the first state to legalize marijuana recreationally in the fall of 2012, and since then three other states and the District of Columbia have legalized the plant. Based off of sales in states that have legalized marijuana recreationally, if all fifty states legalized marijuana, they would bring in a combined 3 billion dollars in tax revenue yearly. That much money from sales of the plant alone could help to stabilize the suffering economy. Moreover, the American Government would be able to control the plant and distribute it how ever they see fit. The economic growth marijuana legalization could bring to the United States outweighs any argument against
Specialized government funded programs such as Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) cost around $7 billion and are in danger of being defunded to save money (Whitehouse). Marijuana tax revenues exceed $6 billion and would help less fortunate women in need of assistance when they are raising a child. On the state level Alabama has a projected profit of $8.9 million in tax revenues alone from Marijuana sales (Miron). States could increase pay or set up a better retirement for police, firemen, teachers, or any other underpaid public service. Also, the medical sales of marijuana would create an alternative source of natural medicine that has less harmful side-effects than some prescription medicines. Another more practical use for the cannabis plant itself is “hemp”. Hemp is another variety of cannabis that is used for mainly for its fiber, oil, and seeds. The fiber can be used to make anything from clothes to cars as...
Medical marijuana has been used for centuries to combat pain, weakness, anxiety, insomnia, female problems and nausea. Today it is commonly used by cancer and AIDS patients to stimulate hunger, combat nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy or other drug therapy and reduce pain. It has also been shown to be effective in reducing eye pressure, especially in the cases with glaucoma. Medical marijuana, or cannabis, is derived from the Cannabis sativa plant and there is some evidence of cannabis being used medicinally for over four thousand years. Many believe that medical marijuana is a healthy and natural alternative to dangerous and toxic pharmaceuticals that often have side effects worse than the original condition. The United Sates declared marijuana a narcotic and declared it illegal with the passing of the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937.
Marijuana continues to be one of the most used illegal drugs in the United States. Marijuana has been used for many years and at one time was legal to consume. Throughout the years, marijuana has been used for treatment of different medical conditions and has been used recreationally by people of all ages. While the use of medicinal marijuana has proven to be effective in treating medically ill patients, society continues to question its recreational use and the long term effects it will have on its users. Some feel that legalizing marijuana will only open up avenues for the use of more potent drugs, causing an increase in criminal activity. However, a number of people question why it is considered illegal being it is a naturally growing
Medical Marijuana Marijuana is a very hot topic and also brings a lot of controversy among the topics in the U.S today. Many believe it has medicinal benefits and should be made legal when necessary. Many believe it has a really high risk of abuse. Amongst those arguments, some of the ingredients in medical marijuana have presented a greater argument for possible legalization through their use of research and evidence of beneficial use. Those against medical marijuana have given many reasons for why it should not be legalized.
Marijuana is a version of the cannabis plant that is consumed for recreational purposes and medical purposes in a variety of ways marijuana is the third most used recreational drug in the United States behind only alcohol and tobacco. According to government surveys, some 25 million Americans have smoked marijuana in the past year (www.Norml.org). While marijuana is used throughout the country for recreational purposes it has also been used for many years for medical purposes. Research has shown that marijuana is a valuable aid in the treatment of many different medical applications. Marijuana has been known to be used for pain relief, nausea, spasticity, glaucoma and other disorders. It can also aid in the treatment of patients that are HIV positive and also cancer patients. Marijuana can be used to help any disorder...