Marijuana has been used for medical purposes since ancient times, but its 20th-century association with drug addiction and the severe issues that can result from it has led this area of exploration to stagnate and recede. With that said, development has recently restarted, as initiatives to enable medical marijuana usage gained traction. Cronin mentions two applications of the drug: chronic seizure treatment with CBD oil and cancer treatment with THC (24-25). Their proven effectiveness, with limited side effects, creates a strong case for legalizing medical marijuana.
The recreational possession and use of marijuana should be decriminalized, and complete legalization should be strongly considered. Possession (for personal consumption) and use are victimless crimes that currently incur disproportionate penalties from the government. Moreover, such charges likely contribute to the United States’ current mass incarceration problem, creating unnecessary government expenses while also damaging people’s lives. Decriminalization would help address the issue without incurring extensive negative outcomes, as marijuana sales would still be illegal. Complete legalization, however, warrants an in-depth discussion that is beyond the scope of this post.
Currently, medical marijuana legalization is highly popular across the United States, with recreational uses having substantially lower (but still significant support). Per Demko et al., New Jersey and Arizona polls show voters in favor of recreational marijuana, and over 80% of Mississippi residents agree with medical use. With that said, despite numerous states already having legalized one or both applications, the federal government remains opposed to either form of legalization, and marijuana possession and use remain federal offenses. It will typically not enforce its anti-marijuana laws in locations where it is legal, but the conflict and the associated danger remain.
Works Cited
Cronin, Kathleen. Medical Use of Illicit Drugs. Greenhaven Publishing LLC, 2019.
Demko, Paul, et al. “States Plow Forward With Pot, With or Without Congress.” Politico, 2020, Web.