Why Marijuana Should Be Legal

With recreational marijuana now legal in nine states, plus the District of Columbia, and several states about to legalize with year-end imminence, the federal government is feeling increasing public pressure to join the fray. Medical cannabis is legal in 37 states, and if the trend continues, all 50 states in the near future. In 2013, 58 percent of Americans favored legalization. Now, nearly 70 percent do.

With most of the United States population supportive of legalizing marijuana recreationally at the national level, there is simply no further reason for the federal government to continue prohibition, especially as its reasons for it, high risk of abuse with no medicinal value, is scientifically incorrect.

With that said, here are some marijuana facts for anyone still on the fence to reconsider legalization:

Marijuana Never Killed Nobody

Nobody has ever died from an overdose of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. You might think having too much would kill you, but science proves this impossible. Not once in the history of man’s long relationship with cannabis has there ever been a single death recorded. In comparison, 38,329 people died from drug overdoses in 2010 along, with sixty percent attributable to prescription drugs.

Most Try Marijuana Anyway

Back in 2013, most polls were suggesting that at least 40 percent of the United States population had tried marijuana at least once in their lives. With legalization spreading, that figure is surely higher now. This compared to the 16 percent of folks who admit trying cocaine, a notably lower percentage. Marijuana is increasingly ubiquitous, despite coffee being more addictive. People feel safer trying it.

Marijuana Is Safer Than Legal Drugs

Despite being more harmful than marijuana, alcohol, cigarettes, and prescription drugs are legal. According to a 2010 study by Lancet and reported by the Economist, the combined harms of marijuana on users and others are less than those of alcohol or tobacco are. Despite a negative stigma claiming otherwise, such stereotypes are false. Legalizing marijuana and banning alcohol is more logical.

Risk of Abuse is Low

Despite popular opinion, marijuana is not as addictive as you might think. According to Chief Medical Correspondent for CNN, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, in his essay, “Why I Changed My Mind about Weed,” we have been “systematically misled.” Only around 10 percent of users develop the dependence on it. In contrast, tobacco hooks more than 30 percent of those who try it, which is even higher than heroin and cocaine.

Marijuana Is a Medical Wonder

Cannabis famously helps insomnia. Back in 1976 already, a researcher called Feinstein said in the paper “Clinical Pharmacology Therapy,” that “The effects on sleep of THC administration closely resemble those induced by lithium.” The National Cancer Institute supported these findings in a study of its own. That is not all, however. Science shows marijuana with a horde of powerful medicinal properties.

Today, hundreds of thousands of people rely on medical marijuana to treat their health conditions. Research proves it incredibly successful and effectively relieving nausea, loss of appetite, and other symptoms of cancer treatments and HIV/AIDS. It is also a powerful muscle relaxant capable of treating muscle spasms, and it is a potent painkiller, as well as an anti-seizure miracle.

Many Successful Folks Smoke Marijuana

Contrary to false “pothead” stereotypes, many, many successful people use marijuana. Think Morgan Freeman, Maya Angelou, Ted Turner, Martha Stewart, Rush Limbaugh, Michael Bloomberg, Mike Tyson, and hundreds upon hundreds of other high-functioning members of society. Stewart, at 72-years old, joked with Bravo’s Andy Cohen about “sloppy joints,” saying, “Of course I know how to roll a joint.”

It is not only popular celebrities either. High-flying business people confess to smoking marijuana too, including Richard Branson and Elon Musk, who puffed a joint on Joe Rogan’s show just last week. Many credit marijuana for giving them the creativity needed to think of their innovating ideas and artistic brilliance. In fact, it seems marijuana may just well be the key to success for many, many people.

Nothing Gateway about Marijuana

The “marijuana is a gateway drug” theory, although debunked by science, is the main argument opponents of legalization still use. Consuming cannabis does not lead to using harder drugs. According to Scientific American, correlation does not prove causation, so using marijuana first is a correlation, but not a proven cause of using other drugs.

In fact, people who end up using hard drugs also have a tendency to drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes. Before moving on to other substances. The whole gateway theory is a stereotype since the stigma surrounding marijuana leads many to think only those predisposed to drug addiction are going to try marijuana. This is unquestionably false since more than half of the country is trying it.

Final Thoughts

There are so many reasons to make Marijuana legal that discussing them all in one article is impossible. The economic potential of legalization is a major consideration since it could generate billions for federal coffers, payback national debt, and employ hundreds of thousands of people desperately in need of jobs. Simply put, there is no reason not to legalize, and these Marijuana facts prove it.

Author Bio: Camilla Morgan is a blogger by profession with 5 years of experience. She is associated with CBD Safe and selling pure Cannabidiol & Best CBD oil products in the USA. She is an admirer of sharing his innovative ideas with others on the Wellness for Mind and Body.