Medicinal and economic benefits of marijuana legalization

¶ … legalization of marijuana and its benefits to the society. Our arguments are focused on its medicinal value, income generated (economic value) to the state as well as the possible losses to tax payer's money as a result of trying to implement its prohibition. Our analysis is done via a thorough review of relevant literature containing expert opinions. We support our proposition that marijuana can be a benefit to society through its legalization. This is due to its medicinal value, revenue stream to the state and the reduced cost attributed to decreased prohibition budgets.

Marijuana which is the most commonly used illicit drug has faced has been heavily debated on issues of legalization and safe use. The debate has been so intense to an extent of which it has turned political (NYT, 2008). A recent study by Angus Reid concluded that a majority of Americans are in support of marijuana legalization (53% support) (Angus-Reid,2009).Marijuana can be a benefit to society through its legalization. Throughout its history, it has been proven to have several medicinal as well as economic benefits through its use. Additionally, each year the federal government spends countless hours, resources, and funds to combat the seemingly detrimental effects of marijuana usage within the country. As societal attitudes change through the decades, it is time that marijuana is re-examined for its benefits and advantages within the country as a valid medical remedy as well as valuable monetary resource for the economy.

Therapeutic use of marijuana

Marijuana has been proven to possess medicinal value. This is because it has been shown that it can aid in the management of certain ailments. The main reason as to why marijuana should be legalized is its medicinal value .Marijuana can be used in the treatment of cancer. The actual use is in the supportive care of the disease (NCI, 2010).The actual mechanism of treatment and management of cancer relies on the action of the cannabinoids that exists in the drug. The cannabinoids help in the management of the side effects of the chemotherapy. Thus "Cannabinoids are undoubtedly effective as anti-emetic agents in vomiting induced by anti-cancer drugs. Some users of both find cannabis itself more effective." (BMA, 1997).The same cannabinoids are also active in the inhibition of nausea which in turn helps in the increasing of appetite in cancer patients. Cannabinoids which is the active ingredient in marijuana is known to be important in the arresting of the growth of cancerous cells. This leads to the reduction in the number of cancerous cells that a patient has. This has been proven by over twenty studies spanning a period of over nine years. The cannabinoids are important in the arresting of growth of different types of cancer such as brain, breast and melanoma (Pranger,2010).The fact that marijuana can aid in the management of cancer which is a terrible disease in terms of its effects on the human body and mind makes it acceptable for legalization. Since cancer and its effects are horrible and causes so much pain to the patients, it is better to legalize it that let the patient suffer in pain and agony. It is better for the nation to decriminalize marijuana that to let the patients turn to more horrible options such as euthanasia.

The other therapeutic use of marijuana is the reduction of effects of glaucoma. Glaucoma is at terrible disease which affects approximately 4 million Americans (GRF, 2010). Cannabis has been shown to help in the reduction of pain that is caused by glaucoma. The use of marijuana leads to the reduction of swelling of the affected eye. This effect lasts for a period of about three to fours hours.

The economic impact of the glaucoma is that it accounts for an excess of seven million visits to various physicians each and every year (PBA). The economic impact of glaucoma on the government is also far greater. It affects the level of benefits provided by the Social security and increases the amount of lost revenue as well as elevated amount of health care expenditure. The cost to the Unites States government is placed to be in excess of $1.5 billion every year (NEI,1998).

Cost of prohibition too high

The cost of prohibition of marijuana to the federal, state and local government is too high. The prohibition of marijuana causes the government to incur charges related to the process of enforcement. The process of prohibition leads to the prevention of the taxation of marijuana as well as its sale. If marijuana is to be legalized, the expenditure by the government would decline rapidly while the tax revenue would be increased.

Marijuana should therefore be regulated just like any other goods in order to ensure that there is the acceptable and safe use of the drug.

The legalization of marijuana would aid in the reduction of government expenditure by about $7.7 billion every year while generating tax revenue of about $2.4 (Miron,2005).Should marijuana be legalized and then taxed at the same rate as alcohol and tobacco, the above estimates would be viable.

Conclusion

The legalization of marijuana within our society has concrete benefits that can be of substantial gains to the citizens and government. A lot of tax revenue can be generated from its use, more money can be injected into the economy by its sale and consumption at the same time, its medical (therapeutic) benefits make it a substance that can be employed appropriately help in pain as well as disease management