The use of marijuana, for both medical and recreational use, is a huge topic for discussion in the United States right now. It has become an even hotter topic with the presidential election slowly creeping upon the country. Many states, such as California and Nevada, have placed a referendum on their states’ ballot. These states will vote directly on whether or not marijuana should be legalized for recreational use.
Marijuana, in the very least, should be legal for medicinal purposes. It helps those who are receiving chemotherapy treatment to combat cancer maintain at least some portion of their appetite. Medical marijuana also helps epileptics with their seizures.
I’m pretty sure that, at some point, most of us saw that video on Facebook of the boy whose seizure was stopped within seconds of being given cannabis oil. If my memory serves correctly, I am pretty sure that the boy’s father got into trouble for giving his son the oil. This was due to the fact that the substance was still illegal in their state. Shouldn’t we give those who really need it the ability to obtain cannabis oil? The oil does not get you high. It has very little, if any, side effects. It is a much better alternative than to continue to pump our bodies full of unnecessary chemicals.
The arguments to marijuana, especially recreational, are usually along the lines of not being able to regulate and tax it, people shouldn’t be allowed to get high in public, and drugs are addictive. However, Colorado and Washington state have figured out how to make things work. Colorado alone raked in a whopping one billion dollars for one year in tax revenue just from marijuana. Residents in both states are only allowed to smoke at home and specially designated places, much like alcohol. Also, marijuana contains no addictive components. Legal things, such as cigarettes and alcohol, are much more addictive than weed could ever even dream of being.
Should marijuana be legalized in all states for medicinal purposes? Yes, absolutely. We should, however, let the residents of the states decide whether or not marijuana should be legal for recreational purposes.
Life of Lauren 