Another important aspect of the medical marijuana debate that many people are not recognizing is the potential for additional revenue. States are taxing dispensaries on their sales, and adding much-needed revenue to their coffers. Another writer notes, "Colorado is now the second state, behind California, to tax and regulate medical-marijuana sales, a move that comes on the heels of the Obama administration's decision in October to leave enforcement of laws governing medical marijuana to the states" (Richardson A09). Revenue opportunities are also available to cities who license these dispensaries. Reporter Richardson continues, "Some cities have jumped on the revenue bandwagon by adding municipal taxes. Earlier this year, Oakland approved a 1.8% city tax on medical cannabis sales. Denver also plans to collect a city sales tax on medical marijuana starting in December" (Richardson A09). In tough economic times, it simply makes sense to take advantage of every revenue stream. In states where marijuana is not legal and their finances are shaky, allowing medical marijuana use just might make good economic sense for the state and the taxpayers alike.
Opponents also cite health issues associated with marijuana use as a reason not to approve medical marijuana initiatives in their states. One health expert says, "Reports of opportunistic fungal and bacterial pneumonia in AIDS patients who used marijuana suggest that marijuana smoking either suppresses the immune system or exposes patients to an added burden of pathogens" ("Top 10 Pros and Cons"). While other studies have disproved these results, the use of medical marijuana in some patients could be harmful, which is why their use must be monitored by a physician at all times. Still, more and more studies like those at the University of California are pointing to the benefits of marijuana in medicine, and as more studies continue, they may find even more uses for medical marijuana in the health care community.
Another major concern more opponents is that marijuana is a gateway drug. Another critic states, "Children who have used marijuana are more than 85 times likelier to use cocaine than children who have never used marijuana. They send the wrong message to our children" (Khatapoush, and Hallfors). However, the two authors who wrote this article dispute those claims, as they conducted their own study on the use of marijuana combined with the use of medical marijuana. Their study indicated that recreational marijuana use has stayed the same or reduced somewhat during the time that marijuana became legal for medical use in California, and that users did not report going on to harsher drugs after using marijuana. Just the opposite is true, in fact, according to their study. They found that most people who smoke marijuana, even as teens, stop smoking by their twenties or thirties (Khatapoush, and Hallfors).
There are people who theoretically support the legalization of marijuana for medical use, but believe that it should be subject to approval from the FDA. A doctor writes about other plant-based drugs in use today. He states, "Botanicals are the active ingredients in tincture of opium and belladonna suppositories, both of which are legal and FDA-approved when employed for legitimate therapeutic use. Smoked marijuana could achieve the same status were the FDA to find it safe and effective for medical use" (Cohen). The FDA's response to the debate is to the point. Another author quotes them as saying, "[T]hat it does 'not support the use of smoked marijuana for medical purposes" (Berg 49). They have no plans to study marijuana use for medicinal purposes, or for approving that...
Legalize Marijuana Legalizing marijuana In this era of spiraling medical costs, if there is a product that has never caused any deaths, has proven benefits, and is inexpensive, it should not only be legal, but should be aggressively pursued by governmental agencies to aid in the health care crisis. Would you be interested in a substance that could alleviate nausea and vomiting for most cancer and chemotherapy patients? How about a way
Marijuana Should Not Be Legalized Physical Health Concerns According to a Harvard University Law School document, it would be "…fallacious to conclude that because the chemicals in marijuana have been found to present fewer dangers…" than cocaine, heroin, alcohol and tobacco, that the recreational use of marijuana "is safe" (Harvard). In fact, even though many states authorize the use of cannabis for medical purposes (for AIDS sufferers and for those experiencing harmful
Legalizing Marijuana in Florida The dividing lines have been drawn once again in the state of Florida with a controversial issue being put forth in the limelight. There is an initiative in the State Legislature to introduce a bill that will decriminalized and legalized the prescription and use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Led by Florida Rep. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, who "is introducing a bill that would put legalizing marijuana
Marijuana Legalization The reason as to why people believe that Marijuana is illegal is wrong and attempts should be made to legalize it. There are a lot of studies that state that by using drugs lot of medical problems may be caused. But studies have proved that this is not true and not as harmful as junk food, tobacco and alcohol. (Bowman 8a). Also individuals feel that Marijuana is addictive in nature
Legalize Marijuana An examination of the arguments about the legalization of marijuana indicates that this substance should be legalized. Quite simply, the benefits of legalizing marijuana outweigh its detriments. Were marijuana legalized, individuals could widely use it as a form of medication. Additionally, they could utilize it as a source of revenue that could potentially improve the economy in the United States. When considering these boons against the perceived negative
Marijuana Legalization Marijuana, also known as marihuana, is a drug that is taken from Cannabis sativa, a hemp plant. It is one of the most frequently used and popular drugs in the world along with caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. The United States of America is one of the world's leading producers of marijuana where it is generally smoked and is also referred to as weed or reefer by the citizens ("marijuana"). Marijuana
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now