The mere mention of marijuana doesn’t elicit a positive response as it’s mostly associated with drug use. However, a lot of those fighting for marijuana legalization have fought for its medicinal benefits. The drug is classified as a Schedule 1 Drug which means that it’s a substance that has no medicinal effect. However, that is further from the truth as clinical trials with cancer patients, people with severe muscular sclerosis as well as a range of other medical conditions have shown the positive effects of marijuana use.
2014 was a big year for weed. In Colorado, the first fully recreational marijuana stores opened on January 1. At St. George’s University of London in November, a study showed that brain tumors reduced dramatically when radiation therapy was supplemented with THC and cannabinoids. Vape was deemed the word of the year by Oxford Dictionary, and although it was mostly about e-cigarettes, a history of the vaporizer showed it had marijuana roots.
In the US, Alaska, Colorado, Oregon and Washington DC are the only places that have legalized recreational marijuana. This means that any adult 21 or older can possess marijuana, but there are certain differences regarding cultivation and sale.
So if some state governments have approved its use and some research proving its benefits, why is it still viewed as something wrong? Let’s take a look at the arguments for both sides:
List of Pros of Recreational Marijuana
1. It can be used for medicinal purposes.
The medical community has argued that marijuana use is effective in treating various kinds of conditions, including epilepsy, Chron’s disease, post-traumatic stress disorder and multiple sclerosis. States such as California, Massachusetts and New Jersey have guidelines for medical marijuana use.
2. It can be used to alter state of consciousness.
The alteration of the central nervous system allows those who use recreational drugs to have more positive emotions and feelings. It becomes a time for them to unwind and spend time with their inner self. As such, conversations with the self can lead to less stress and anger.
In addition, tapping deep into yourself can lead to heightened creativity, a renewed sense of spirituality and a more centered perspective. It helps people stay centered while thinking about other issues.
List of Cons of Recreational Marijuana
1. It is addictive.
Supporters of marijuana argue that it isn’t as addictive as heroin or cocain, which are seen as “harder” drugs. For addiction treatment specialists, long term use of the drug can lead to addiction. According to research, 10% of users will develop a dependence as time passes.
2. It is the path to other drugs.
Several addiction treatments specialists believe that marijuana use makes others curios to see what else is out there. In other words, it puts them on the path towards much more harmful drugs such as cocaine and heroin. According to research, marijuana use can also lead to a higher risk of prescription drug use. A Yale University School of Medicine study found that teenage boys who abused alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana were more likely to abuse prescription drugs in adulthood. Also, marijuana use was linked to increased prescription drug abuse in teenage girls.