Marijuana: Should It Be Legalized?

Marijuana: Should it be legalized?

Sean Longworth &John Collins

The most commonly used illicit drug in the United States is marijuana. It is a mix of flowers, stems, seeds, and leaves of the hemp plant. This hemp plant is known as cannabis sativa. For hundreds of centuries the use of Cannabis has been used, even dating back to ancient Egyptian and Neanderthal eras.

The major active chemical substance in the cannabis plant is THC. When the cannabis plant is consumed, usually through smoking or ingestion, it causes psychoactive effects. This has lead to the use of cannabis for religious and recreational use in the past. This caused most countries to restrict or ban the use of marijuana. Even with these laws in place, some countries still tolerate the possession and consumption of the plant.

The legalization of marijuana is a big matter of public concern. Many people smoke but they abuse it too. They are the reason marijuana is illegal. Cannabis should be legal but with restrictions so people would be more responsible with it that way they can do it on their own personal time and not when the are about to go to work or school. Many people say that marijuana is a "gateway drug" and leads to the use of harder drugs such as cocaine and heroine.

Marijuana also has many medicinal uses. The most beneficial medicinal effect of marijuana is the suppression of nausea. It is also used by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. It stimulates the appetite also known as "the munchies". This is because users appear to crave sweet and salty foods. Cannabis is also a mild analgesic. The effects are very similar to aspirin or ibuprofen. Marijuana is also used by those who suffer from Glaucoma, Epilepsy, Migraine, and Bi polar disorder.

Patients who have OCD or Tourettes syndrome have found that it relieves the habits that come with the diseases. Patients treated with marijuana reported a significant decrease in both motor and