Cannabis sativa, or marijuana, is a natural resource that is widely debated today. This plant has been used medically, recreationally and spiritually for generations. The first appearance of marijuana appearing as a pictorial representation of hemp plants dating back to about five thousand years ago in Central Asia. The psychoactive ingredient of marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) triggers dopamine release in the prefrontal cortex, the reward center of the midbrain (Bostwick 175). This natural high obtained from marijuana has led to controversy in modern ethics as well as politics. This issue has two distinct sides of debate; and yet, there seems to be no clear answer on what is right and what is wrong. One group sees this plant as nothing more than a harmful narcotic, detrimental to the safety of one's well being. Others argue that this natural resource can provide many benefits, not only to public health, but also to the economy. Many people are apprehensive to the idea of legalizing marijuana, for fear that it may lead to increased use of the drug. While this is an important concern, I believe that the medical as well as economic benefit that marijuana provides, outweigh these concerns. 

Opponents to marijuana legalization argue that use of this psychoactive drug leads to serious health risks. Studies have been conducted that prove that long term marijuana use has been linked to an increased risk of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression (Volkow et. al. 2221). These studies are note worthy, but one must keep in mind that correlation does not necessarily prove causation; as in any case, there may be certain personal factors that could contribute to these confounding figures. An article written by Volkow et. al., suggests that marijuana use has been associated with the interference of cognitive and motor function. Findings suggest that prolonged marijuana use can lead to changes in the brain, interference with education as well as professional and social achievements (Volkow et. al. 2225). While these studies are important in analyzing the risk of marijuana use, one must remain aware that these symptoms are of very little prevalence in most users and represent abnormal cases. Another study that confirms this view that marijuana is a harmful substance was conducted by Moore et. al. on the respiratory effects of marijuana use; the study was conducted with the hypothesis that marijuana users have increased risk of respiratory effects due to their inhalation of of unfiltered marijuana smoke. The study found that users were associated with conditions such as chronic bronchitis, coughing, phlegm production, and wheezing; but were not associated with shortness of breath, pneumonia, or overall respiratory functioning (Moore et. al. 35). Some argue that along with these health effects comes the risk of addiction. The withdraw symptoms alone (irritability, insomnia, dysphoria, craving, anxiety), are enough to encourage users to remain dependent on the drug (Volkow et. al. 2219). These risks are important to be aware of, but the risks are marginalized by the plethora of benefits this drug provides.

Marijuana has been proven to be beneficial to alleviating the symptoms of many medical conditions as well as common inconveniences that plagues many people. Thousands of people across the country are diagnosed every day with serious debilitating medical conditions, whose symptoms prevent patients from preforming daily tasks. Cannabis has been proven to alleviate some of these symptoms including: lowering intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients; acting as an antiemetic agent for patients undergoing chemotherapy; increasing appetite, weight gain, mood and quality of life in patients with AIDS-related anorexia; reducing neuropathic pain, and promoting undisturbed sleep in multiple sclerosis patients (Volkow et. al. 2224). Patients with these symptoms are gracious to receive relief from these inconvenient symptoms and be able to preform normal functions. On the less extreme, marijuana has also been proven to help reduce insomnia, headaches, anorexia, pain and asthma (Bostwick 173). These symptoms are less severe and may not be thought of in a medical context. Therefore, those who use marijuana to reduce these symptoms may not consider themselves medical users, this is where the lines of recreational and medical use blur. Like many other aspects of life, the complexity of marijuana use is more of a scale rather than a clear cut, black and white situation.

Following from the rather ambiguous nature of this drug, many people have concerns over whether recreational use of marijuana is a stepping stone to more serious drugs and/or criminal behavior. When debating this issue of the topic, one must understand that the stigma surrounding marijuana has been enacted by its illegal nature. The illegality of marijuana creates a situation in which those enacting with the drug must venture to the black market, or back alley locations to obtain this substance. Here, they may come in contact with other, more intense drugs. Also, certain individuals who seek the marijuana high as a way to cope with personal issues, such as psychological stress, are more likely to turn to other mind altering drugs. (Scherf 150). Many individuals turn to marijuana to lessen symptoms like stress and anxiety because of the relaxing nature of the drug. Most recreational users feel a sense of euphoria, time distortion, and intensification of normal experiences when under the influence of marijuana. Some cases report instances of dysphoria, anxiety and paranoia (Bostwick 174). Marijuana is a state dependent drug, that is, the mood of the individual determines the entire experience. Some opponents to marijuana have called into question the psychiatric effects of the drug. Some cases have reported instances wherein marijuana incites schizophrenia psychosis in users with prior conditions. The drug has been described as "a potential cause, aggravator, or masker of major psychiatric symptoms, including psychotic depressive, and anxiety disorders, particularly in young people" (Bostwick 176). This is an important concern for those afflicted with psychological conditions such as schizophrenia, but the percentages of individuals who experience psychotic breaks from marijuana is a relatively low number. A Dutch study estimated that about 2.2% of marijuana users developed psychotic symptoms (Bostwick 176). For the majority of the public, the high of marijuana is a worry-free experience. Many people use marijuana for the feelings it elicits, or the symptom relief it provides. That being said, there is no clear cut definition on what constitutes as recreational use and what is medical. The spectrum of benefits ranges from relief from back pain, to reducing side effects of chemotherapy. More research has yet to be done on what other symptoms may be alleviated through marijuana use. This research is waiting to be completed, but first a change in the legislation must be enacted.

Currently twenty states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana use, and in the past year Colorado and Washington have legalized recreational use of the drug (Morris 1). According to the Controlled Substance Act of 1970, marijuana is listed as one of the four most dangerous drugs (Debusman 41). Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I drug, "one with a high potential for abuse and 'no currently accepted medical use'  --  and criminalizes the acts of prescribing, dispensing, and possessing marijuana for any purpose" (Hoffman 1453). As of today marijuana is placed in the same category as drugs such as heroine, Quaaludes, and methamphetamine (Bostwick 181). The addictive properties and corresponding effects of these drugs are not akin to that of marijuana. Many advocates for marijuana argue that serious progress could be made in the betterment of marijuana technology without the governmental 'red tape' currently in place. Research would provide further evaluation of potential therapeutic aspects of the plant; as well as the proper potency, doses and delivery methods of the drug (Hoffman 1456). Some argue that the rescheduling and consequent legalization of marijuana would lead to increased criminal activity. 

Some theorize that marijuana use leads to an increased tendency towards violent behaviors in individuals as well as increased overall crime rates. Results of some studies found that there is a correlation between increased violent behaviors in adolescents and marijuana use (Morris 2). An important fact to be aware of, is that a correlation does not necessarily entail that one variable brings about the presence of the other. This relationship may be accounted for by several other factors. That is not to say that these studies should be discarded, just viewed with a skeptical eye. In an article on the relationship between crime rates and marijuana use, Morris asserts "that the association between marijuana use and crime appears to exist because of its illegality. Thus, if the possession and sale of marijuana was legal the relationship between marijuana and crime might disappear" (2). Morris brings up an important topic of debate, does the inherent nature of the drug lead to higher crime rates, or does the illegal activities surrounding the drug create a menacing aura? A study was conducted that measured rates of crime in states where marijuana was legalized for medical reasons. The result showed that this new legislation was not indicative of higher crime rates, and could in fact be responsible for lowering rates of homicide and assault (Morris 6). One example of how marijuana has proven to lower crime rates is through its substitution for alcohol. Legalization of marijuana creates fewer instances of automobile fatalities involving alcohol (Renner 45). Much of the crime prevalent in today's culture is associated with minor indiscretions with marijuana. One article describes how these indiscretions have led to serious consequences, "millions of vulnerable lives are ruined as large sectors of poorly educated, destitute youth serve prison terms for selling trivial amounts of marijuana" (Bourgois 582).  Crime and incarceration related to this drug is prevalent in some of the most vulnerable communities (Walsh). Those living in poverty, or close to it, are at more of a risk of falling into the criminal actions associated with marijuana, this limits the chances of these individuals to ever rise above these rigid social constructs. A serious re-evaluation of the current legislation should be conducted following the results of these studies.

Many states today have decriminalization laws in place that allow for the possession of small amounts of marijuana. Instead of jail time, first time offenders receive a small fine (Scherf 199). With this new practice in place, the effort of law enforcement is able to be shifted toward more pressing concerns such as homicides and assaults. The next natural step is for states, or even the federal government, to allow for the legalization of marijuana. The legalization would promote safer methods of delivering the drug. Impurities in products would be accounted for by legitimate business practices, creating a safer product. Drive by shootings would be less frequent, in turn reducing the number of innocent bystander deaths. Finally, social problems associated with the drug would tend to all but disappear (Block 434-435). This would provide a safer environment for not only drug users, but everyone in the functioning unit of society. So this begs the question, why are these practices not currently in place if they are so beneficial? Parallels to the alcohol prohibition of 1920, and gay marriage laws have been drawn to the legislature of marijuana (Debusman 41). This trend began with the legalization of marijuana in Washington and Colorado at the start of 2014. Oregon and Alaska recently followed behind these states in November of that same year. California, along with four other states are projected to follow in their steps some time this year (Ronner 44). As the forerunner of this movement, Colorado has proven that this method of drug prohibition, or the lack thereof, provides significant economic benefits. 

Midnight New Years day 2014, Colorado and Washington state official legalized the possession, distribution, transportation, using, and displaying of marijuana accessories and a single ounce of marijuana. This legislature came with some restrictions, limiting persons to three flowering plants and three non-flowering plants (total of six plants at a time). The government also requires that the consumption of marijuana be done in the privacy of the patrons' homes, and not publically (Scherf 146). An influx of Americans is migrating to these states for medical as well as personal reasons, in what is being referred to as the 'Green Rush' (Renner 44). To say that this legislature is lucrative would be an understatement. In the first month alone, Colorado generated over two million dollars in revenue according to the Colorado Department of Revenue. The Jobs Medical Industry Group stated that over ten thousand positions have been created within the marijuana system, with no sign of slowing (Scherf 153-155). If the rest of America follows in the footsteps of these states, the national revenue would be drastically improved. Not only would the country bring in a profit of about six billion dollars in taxes alone, but it would save more than seven billion dollars that currently is allocated to marijuana prohibition (Debusman 41). The U.S. is currently spending about ten billion dollars in enforcement and losing about thirty billion dollars in lost revenue (Walsh). Such simple changes could yield so much profit, while at the same time saving the country literally billions of dollars. There seems to be no downside to this legalization.

Clinical Psychologist Zachary Walsh describes the many benefits of legalizing marijuana in his TEDxPentiction lecture. Walsh conducted a series of studies on medical and recreational users of marijuana. His findings showed that marijuana helped those with conditions such as cancer, AIDS-related anorexia, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and chronic pain. He also discovered that in addition to treatment for these afflictions, people were using marijuana to aid in sleep, reduce pain, and reduce anxiety. Walsh make a good point in which he points out that these are symptoms in which people will spend hundreds of dollars in synthetic pharmaceuticals to resolve (Walsh). This analysis of 'Big Pharma's' stake in keeping marijuana out of the hands of the people, raises some questions about the gridlock that legalization of the drug faces. 

The country seems to be heading in the direction of legalizing marijuana, especially if we follow previous legislative trends of history. Marijuana provides many benefits not only in a public health aspect, but also on economic profit. This natural medicine that our ancestors used for generations can be used to address mental illnesses, such as anxiety, and reduce environmental waste from the production and disposal of pharmaceutical products. Because the lines between recreational and medical use are blurred in such a way, there is no clear division between what is medical and what is not. Therefore, the drug should be available to the entire public. While legalizing marijuana would allow for easier access to the abuse of this drug, one must be aware that there will always be those who abuse the drug (just as there are alcoholics and cigarette addicts), but that does not mean that every person will overuse this drug. Some studies reveal that recreational users who partake in the consummation of this drug frequently have some serious health risks; but like anything in life, moderation is key. 

