Drug Legalization

Drug Legalization re Marijuana

Health Information Technology

HIT 222-Medical Legal Aspects

Spring, 2012

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The federal and state governments have been arguing for many years about legalizing marijuana. The federal government is standing firm on their decision not to legalize it. Many states have passed legislation for the medicinal value. I am for the legalization of marijuana because there are studies which have proved its therapeutic effects and there is no evidence that its general use poses any threats or dangers to society. Marijuana has been used by people for many centuries, dating way back to 2900 BC. (ProCon.org) Up until the early twentieth century, marijuana was legal.

In 1972 Congress placed marijuana in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act saying it has “no accepted medical use.” (ACP) A report done by the Institute of Medicine(IOM) in 1997 stated there were scientific developments that prove the therapeutic properties. Some of the conditions which have been proven to be alleviated by the use of marijuana are neuropathic pain, nausea, chronic pain, hypertension, and an appetite stimulant for HIV patients. There are sixteen states, including DC, which have legalized the medical use of marijuana already and another sixteen states currently have pending legislation.

People who smoke marijuana pay taxes, love and support their families, and work hard. They do not pose a threat or danger to themselves or society. Marijuana can be abused, however, evidence shows more of an overuse than abuse. (legalizationofmarijuana.com) The IOM states “dependence among marijuana users is relatively rare and dependence appears to be less severe than the dependence of other drugs.” (ACP) While under the influence, marijuana does cause short-term memory loss, but has no effect on long-term memory. Using marijuana does not lead to the use

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of harder drugs. (legalizationofmarijuana.com) If someone uses harder drugs it is by their choice. Unlike...