Decriminalizing Common Sense: Why Marijuana Ought To Be Legal
Over the last few decades, marijuana has slowly returned to its rightful status as a useful and legitimate herbal treatment for various ailments. Those who suffer from chronic nausea and vomiting have much to gain from a daily marijuana regimen. In studies conducted in New Mexico, researchers found that, "More than ninety percent of the patients who received marijuana...reported significant or total relief from nausea and vomiting" (ii). With such a high success rate, it is no wonder doctors are clamoring for the right to prescribe marijuana to their patients.
The government has tried to characterize marijuana as a dangerous drug by declaring that marijuana smoke causes cancer. However, most of the carcinogenic chemicals associated with marijuana smoke come from the paper it is often rolled with. Federal statutes outlawing the possession of marijuana "paraphernalia" like pipes and bongs constitute the prime reason why marijuana is smoked through a tube of paper rather than via other methods that filter out most of the carcinogens. Furthermore, if marijuana were legal, users could opt to consume it in tea form, which is totally non-carcinogenic (iii).
Indeed, a reasonable person is hard-pressed to find reasons why marijuana should continue to be classified as a Schedule I drug, since it is demonstrably less addictive than nicotine and causes significantly less harm to the body than alcohol. Despite the proven health risks, these two latter substances remain legal while the former is falsely labeled a dangerous narcotic. However, a growing chorus of respected voices in the medical community is now speaking out in defense of marijuana. The editors of the prestigious British medical journal, Lancet, have stated, "The smoking of cannabis, even long-term, is not harmful to health...It would be reasonable to judge cannabis as less of a threat...than alcohol or tobacco" (iv).
The much-maligned miracle of marijuana has been denied for far too long by the U.S. government. For the sake of the suffering, and for the sake of those who choose marijuana as their recreational drug of choice, the time has come for a real reevaluation of U.S. marijuana policy. Rather than the dangerous, community-destroying menace it has been made out to be, marijuana has been proven to be not only safe for human consumption but also beneficial for those who seek to tap its medicinal and recreational usefulness.
Notes:
i) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_marijuana
ii) http://www.medmjscience.org/Pages/science/pierson.bhtml
iii) http://www.drugtext.org/sub/marmyt1.html
iv) http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3476
Related Tags: medical, alcohol, pot, marijuana, tobacco, weed, herb, decriminalize, legalization
Josh Smith is a telecommunications data analyst and aspiring writer. He is a regular contributor to the political debate on www.PolitiPoll.net.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Third Term - The Obasanjo Syndrome ... Ambition and the Place of God
I recently read a post in a blog (multibrand.blogspot.com) concerning President SBY of Indonesia amb - Black Veterans Still Not Receiving Their Due
With a Black President, many discussions have been re-kindled regarding the treatment of Blacks in v - Are Green Party Candidates Converting Voters?
Have you noticed that the Green Party Convention is hosting a few training sessions which include th - The National Debt: Young Americans Are Inheriting a Sinking Ship
The greatest fundamental weakness of the United States of America is its national debt. Debt weighs - America Must Return to Its Free Market Roots
The United States is the most prosperous country in the world. Its economy has been a constant engin - Policies Of President Obama And Democratic Congress Severely Undermine Job Opportunities For Young Americans
For Young Americans, this is the worst job market in decades. Despite politicians claiming we are on - The Virtues Of A Limited Federal Government And Why America Must Return To The Limited Federal Republic Laid Out In The Constitution
I consider the foundation of the Constitution . . . that 'all powers not delegated to the United Sta - Young Americans Have Largest Stake In Maintaining A Strong Military And Effective Homeland Security Policies
Americans are truly blessed to live in a country protected by the most powerful and effective milita - Why Hitler Wanted To Ban Guns
Whenever the name Adolf Hitler is mentioned one automatically makes a connection to the Holocaust, N - What Happened To The Mohave County Downwinders?
I always get a bit frustrated when I hear that the reason Mohave County was excluded from the Radiat
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Designer Shoes Come First In Global Poll Of Most Wanted Accessories
For both men and women, shoes have long been an essential fashion item. In fact, many women in popul - New US Ambassador for Indonesia Named
The US government has appointed Cameron R. Hume as the next ambassador to Indonesia, reliable source - 1984 By George Orwell
1984 by George Orwell In the book "1984" Orwell criticizes totalitarianism of all types and brings - Chaos Theory: Bush's delusions & Iraq's destiny (Part 2)
The classic counter-insurgency strategy of the US consists of the "ink-blotch" approach. This involv - Will Israel Attack Iran (Part 2)
In November of last year, I wrote an article speculating about whether or not the Israelis would tak - Rodrigues Island 'autonomy'
Rodrigues Island: 'Autonomy' The first few pages were qui - Obama Is Coming, Clear The Way!
"Obama biro, yawne yo!" (Obama is coming, clear the way)—Tens of thousands of cheering Luo "Tr - African Tribes
African Tribes In this article the economies and lifestyles of such African tribes as the Lele and - This Is Not Your Dad's Republican Party Anymore
Stock markets are strange because they reflect the sum total of all our hopes, fears and prejudices - How to Drastically Reduce our Foreign Oil Dependency While Saving you Money at the Pump
If you watch or listen to the news, discussions come up all the time about the price of a barrel of