The Social And Economic Factors To Legalize Marijuana In North America: [Essay Example], 910 words GradesFixer

The Social and Economic Factors to Legalize Marijuana in North America

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Marijuana grows in different parts of the world, and the initial production of the non-psychoactive hemp supported the development of fibers. At the start of the 18th century, Europe was introduced to marijuana when it was brought to the continent by Indian and African travelers, making it one of the last regions to encounter the plant and its properties. France would later pursue the psychoactive role of the plant to identify its medical purposes. However, during this period; it was notable that Cannabis caused anticonvulsant and sedative effects. The influences significant in its users came from the unpredictable doses, short shelf life, and composition from its preparation. The governments would later introduce restrictive laws due to the rising cases of intoxication, abuse, and high consumption levels of marijuana.

From research paper, it would then appear that marijuana could help in relieving pain and handling chronic diseases and its symptoms. There has been a debate on the safe use of marijuana for medical purposes and its influe economic growth. This essay provides support for the economic and social benefits to legalize marijuana in North America.

The use of marijuana for medicinal value is showing improved results in the population, especially concerning the health of a society that is eager to try a replacement for traditional prescription drugs. Research shows that marijuana is effective in the treatment of psychiatric illness that relates to depression (Drug Policy Alliance). It is undeniable that there are evident improvements in cognitive levels for individuals who rely on marijuana for medical purposes. Cannabidiol, a chemical element present in Cannabis, helps relieve psychotic problems in the population. Through the use of marijuana, there are reportable lowering rates of schizophrenia in the community. The chemical in the plant works through influencing a balance of hormones that induces relaxation in people. Therefore, marijuana offers a trustworthy and reliable solution to mentally related illness evident in the population. Patients who report using marijuana can resume their work relatively fast after a period of suffering from pain. Besides, marijuana helps in managing weight loss and incidences of nausea on people. The plant also supports in muscle soreness by relaxing soft tissue, thus helping individuals avoid constant tremors if they have Parkinson’s disease. Veterans exposed to traumatic experiences in war zones also reports high effectiveness of relieving from PSTD after using marijuana. The different medical and leisure uses of marijuana influence the legalization of the drug in some states, especially those in North America, where new laws are being currently discussed.

Some of the social benefits of legalizing marijuana are the reduction of unnecessary arrests of the users. Reports indicate that there where over 60,000 persons arrested each year in Canada for possession of marijuana, this number has been lowered since the plant was legalized in 2018. Through marijuana legalization, the number of such arrests will go down, and this will reduce the pressure on government prisons. Indeed, through incarceration of persons using marijuana, the government uses a significant amount of money for their upkeep. The funds saved from reduced arrests can help the government to support other development projects in the country. Besides, legalization ensures that there are adequate people in the economy to sustain its growth. It also helps reduce the social problem of breaking homes when one spouse is in prison. Such situation denies families, especially children, an opportunity to enjoy life and participate in social development through schooling. The children who lack such opportunities are likely to turn to criminal activities in the future. The overall impact is a generation result of an insecure society; by reducing incidences of arrests, the productivity of a community can be stimulated, where people can work to earn a living. It is detrimental to jail individuals with unique skills required in some industries.

Further, the legalization of marijuana also influences a decline in the consumption of other drugs such as alcohol. In fact, people who consume Cannabis are unlikely to take drugs such as cigarettes and alcohol. The effect is reducing cases of illnesses such as liver diseases associated with alcohol abuse. According to the CDC, about 800,000 deaths related to alcohol consumption take place in the United States. The continued use of alcohol further leads to issues of violence in households with heavy users, resulting in the breaking of families where the alcoholics turn violent to their spouses. Legalizing of marijuana can reduce alcohol consumption by an approximate 10%, neutralizing the negative influence on public health caused by alcoholism. The improved health of society reduces the money spent on handling illnesses from drug abuse. A 2014 research in Germany documented that there is relatively no acute death directly related to marijuana use. The negative health consequences of marijuana are relatively low in comparison with hard drugs and alcohol. Therefore, marijuana legalization offers a reliable alternative to alcohol for the public, making it an exit rather than a gateway drug.

Besides, through legalization, the cost of marijuana will go down. Therefore, people can access the plant with relative ease, helping patients that require THC and CBD related medications but do not have the means to receive such treatments. Through marijuana legalization, it is possible for the governments to monitor the use of the drug in society. The authorities can offer training and seminars that guide people on how to regulate their intake. The result is an empowered society that understands both positive and negative impacts of the use of the drug and how they can control its consumption.

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The Social And Economic Factors To Legalize Marijuana In North America. (2021, March 18). GradesFixer. Retrieved May 13, 2021, from
“The Social And Economic Factors To Legalize Marijuana In North America.” GradesFixer, 18 Mar. 2021,
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