Should the United States Legalize Marijuana - Coursework Example

Marijuana, also known as Cannabis, marihuana or ganga refers to preperations of the cannabis plant which is intended for human consumption as a drug (NIDA, 2009). The critically relevant active chemical constituent in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannibal (THC) (NIDA, 2009).With relevance to the use of marijuana, the society and the legal system has had a prejudiced approach asserting on the negative impacts of the drug. The use, possession or sale of this psychoactive drug was made illegal in most of the countries by twentieth century. However it should not be forgotten that the history of human consumption of marijuana has dated back to centuries. The current popularity of its usage must also be duly considered before concluding marijuana as a social menace. Estimates indicate that about one fourth of the total world’s population uses marijuana of which 0.6 percent of the total users use them daily (NIDA, 2009). This directly points out the revenue that the trade of Marijuana can generate if the whole of the consumption is canalized through a proper legalized system. The medicinal properties of the drug also suggest the same as one to be given a socially and legally acceptable status. The significant role of marijuana products in palliative care has been well proved through a number of clinical researches. In alignment with these positive aspects of marijuana, its legalization has been a topic of constant debate globally and specifically in the United States. Despite some peoples belief that marijuana should remain illegal; marijuana should be legalized because of its effective medicinal properties along with the increased economic benefits to society if it is a government controlled and monitored substance, that provides a tax based on a local, state and federal level. The objective of this essay is to critically analyze the medicinal, economic and the sociological aspects of marijuana consumption, so as to justify the importance the legalization of marijuana. The medical relevance of marijuana has been confirmed scientifically by both theoretical and allied research in the field. Recent studies clearly indicate the medicinal value of marijuana with a special emphasis in the field of palliative care. THC in marijuana is used to treat various medical conditions like nausea and chronic pain. Marijuana can add value in life for people with AIDS (Gorter, R., et al ,1992, 127-138). The heavy doses of medicines which AIDS patients consume regularly can make them very tired and subsequently lose appetite. Marijuana in moderate levels can be used to improve appetite in such cases (Gorter, R., et al ,1992, 127-138). Marijuana has also proved useful in cases of terminal illness like cancer to reduce the pain and sufferings of the patients after the chemotherapy (Vinciguerra; Moore & Eileen ,1988, 525-527). Latest research shows that marijuana can reduce intraocular pressure during glaucoma (Merritt et al 1980, 220-228). There is also appreciable evidence that marijuana can relieve muscle spaticity in patients with neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis (Baker ; Gareth & Ludovic 2000, 84-87).Cases where marijuana is used to treat anorexia, weight loss, movement disorders and asthma are found to be successful. Reported but less confirmed results include the treatment of infections, allergies, epilepsy, bipolar disorders, depression, dependency and withdrawal. Studies have found that cannabis can relieve tics in patients with obsessive compulsive disorder and Tourette syndrome (Baker ; Gareth & Ludovic 2000, 84-87). Some of the studies claim that prescribed usage of cannabis can even prevent the occurrence of Alzheimers. THC has also been observed to reduce arterial blockages (Merritt et al 1980, 220-228). Thus the clinical implications of marijuana are clear justification for legalizing it as a recommendable drug with proper monitoring imposed. The fact is that there an acute mix-up between the use and the abuse of marijuana, when the critiques argue against marijuana. The most strong points that are argued against marijuana consumption are the unhealthiness it can cause. However, this is argument is relevant with any other pychoactive drugs as all of them can contain toxic levels of pesticides or the herbicide paraquat. However, the most forgotten fact is that he adverse effects of marijuana use mainly depend on its mode of intake. Smoking marijuana is potentially more dangerous than consuming it along with food. The abuse of marijuana can make people paranoid and lazy as well. These are cases of drug abuse and drug use. It should be read together with the fact that the overdose or the inappropriate intake of any medicine, even a cough syrup can cause detrimental effects. It does not make any sense to treat marijuana more dangerous than other legalised intoxicating agents. It should also be taken into account that not even one case of death has been reported so far due to overdose of marijuana. Interesting is the fact that Moreover, the mortality rate as a result of alcoholism and smoking is much more alarming.Considering the medicinal and economic value of the products many countries like Netherlands, Hawaii and nine states of USA has permitted the restricted usage of the marijuana products.Thus legalising marijuana federally in USA is not to be feared the way we do so today. The economics that is involved in the marijuana trade is also a promising factor towards its legalization. The average price at which 0.5 grams (a unit) of marijuana is sold on streets is $8.60 while the actual cost of production comes around $1.70 (Moffat, 2009). It should be read together with the fact in US, the commodity is in high demand for medicinal causes. The nature of the trade as a dubious one and the limitations in the availability is causing this hike in price. Increasing the supply of the product will naturally bring down the price close to the cost of production but this never happens as marijuana trade is illegal which makes the business highly profitable (Moffat, 2009). If marijuana is legalised this exess profit can be easily directed to government as taxes which will really boost the economy.Legalisation will eliminate the risk of selling and buying marijuana products and this will incraese its demands. Going with the demand-supply theory of economics, the Federal Reserve is for sure to be benefited in this account. An elevated level of demand hightens the profit as well.The only negative impact is the higher health risks associated with the abuse of the drug and this can be moderated by the tax regulations imposed by the government which can restrict the available quantity of marijuana in the markets. In this context, a strict monitoring of the trade would a wise idea than to keep the drug listed as illegal. While considering the count of revenue that can be routed into the economy by the trade of marijuana for healthy purposes, the legalization of it must be considered with high priority by the Federal government. The non drug purposes of cannabis can never be neglected. Cannabis is popularly called Hemp when it is used for non drug purposes. The fiber produced from Hemp is used for different purposes. Fuel is also a by-product of Hemp cultivation. Hemp can also be cultivated as a food crop but some of the countries impose tight restrictions even on the non drug cultivation of marijuana. Removing these regulations can boost the industrial use of marijuana which in turn results in more profit The social aspects associated with the illegal trade of marijuana can also be tackled by the properly monitored legalization of the drug. The unlimited profit offered by the illegal trade of drugs like marijuana tempts many to participate in the underground economy creating lot of criminals in the society. This can lead to a social imbalance in the society as well. The real problem is that people has started to realize the healthy outcomes of marijuana and is approaching the illegal traders for the product. United States Customs Service (USCS) reports that the marijuana seizure along the British-Coloumbia-Washington state land border was 325 pounds in 1994 which sharply incresed to 2600 pounds in 1998.The cases of seizure of marijuana worth thousands of US dollars has now become very common in US borders.Legalising the marijuana trade can reduce these sorts of unpleasant incidents to atleast a certain extend. The illegal yet uncontrollable trade of marijuana is much worse and dangerous than legalizing it. The medicinal and economic value of marijuana clearly indicates the necessity to legalize it at the earliest. Legalizing marijuana will naturally improve the social and economic conditions of the society. The more justified and wise approach from the federal government would be to optimally utilize the goodness of marijuana as a palliative tool rather than to fear of it being ill fully used. Rather than letting grow an underground racket to grow based on the illegal trade of marijuana, it would be wise to have a properly monitored system for its legal trade and consumption. It is true that there would be some expenses involved in establishing and maintaining this monitoring system. But it should also not be forgotten that the government is still incurring expenses to check and deal with the illegal trade which is currently happening within its jurisdiction. An added advantage of much importance would be the tax revenue that would be routed into the Federal Reserves. The legalization of Marijuana to an extent would mitigate a socially relevant crime prevalent in the society as well. In totality, there are a number of facts and evidences which urge that the government should take immediate measures to legalize marijuana as a drug and a tradable commodity as per the regulations of the government. References Baker, D; Gareth, P & Ludovic, C (2000) Cannabinoids control spasticity and tremor in a multiple sclerosis model, Nature  404.6773 , 84-87. Gorter, R., et al (1992). Dronabionol effects on weight in patients with HIV infection AIDS , 6 .127-38. Merritt, J C., et al (1980) Effects of marijuana on intraocular and blood pressure on glaucoma, Ophthamology 87 , 222-28 Moffat M (2009) Should Governments Legalize and Tax Marijuana? : Examining a Recent Study on Legalization, Retrieved June 18 2009, from http://economics.about.com/od/incometaxestaxcuts/a/marijuana.htm NIDA (2009), Drugs of Abuse Related Topics, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Retrieved June 18 2009, from http://www.nida.nih.gov/DrugPages/Marijuana.html Vinciguerra, V; Moore, T and Eileen B (1988). “Inhalation marijuana as an antiemetic for cancer chemotherapy.” New York State Journal of Medicine 85 . 525-27 Read More