With the advancement of technology in modern medicine along with the arrival of younger and younger generations, a revolution has been sparked surrounding a drug that has struck great controversy within the past few decades; marijuana. Marijuana, or “pot” as it is called among many other street names, has been labeled as a “schedule 1” drug in the majority of the United States throughout the bulk of its history. However, at this very moment, thoughts and policies surrounding this substance are beginning to change dramatically, and for good reason. Politicians, medical professionals, and citizens alike have succeeded in realizing the immense benefits that marijuana can provide in treating various illnesses and conditions. A drug that has continuously been labeled as “dangerous” and “addictive” is now being regarded as a substance that may provide potential medical breakthroughs. A drug that has remained controlled and prohibited within the borders of the United States since its discovery is beginning to take on a new light in the world of medicine. Predictably, with such rapid growth of support comes an insurgence of skepticism and protest. Marijuana, as a word, has developed a negative connotation, primarily throughout older generations. Older, more conservative politicians, medical professionals, and U.S. citizens have lived their entire lives with “pot” being considered along the lines of heroin, cocaine, meth, and other extremely dangerous substances. However, millennials, along with Generation Z, are shedding a new light on cannabis. With this new positive light comes the wider acceptance of marijuana as a legitimate medicinal force. With all of this in mind, the national legalization of medical marijuana is inevitable, as several states have legalized it medically, and even recreationally. It is up to our current leaders in the medical world to expose extensively conclusive research to convince those who have only seen this drug under-researched, and thus are not convinced. Fortunately, we do not have a long way to go; as it stands today, marijuana has proven to be a safe and effective method to treat various illnesses and conditions, both minor and severe, with little to no repercussions for the user, and must be legalized nationally for those purposes.

One may ask, after all of this extensive research and evidence supporting the effectiveness of marijuana, why it is still considered to be a “schedule 1” drug, i.e. having no medical benefit/containing high risk of abuse (Hawkins). Early in its relevance, the federal government heavily regulated this drug and threatened consequences to any physician who prescribed marijuana. This is because, initially, the United States’ government and the DEA concluded that “there was no evidence showing that marijuana was better than other approved drugs for any specific medical condition” (Clark 40). Additionally, an underlying factor in the government’s original decision to outlaw cannabis is an imposed ethical standard. First, the Clinton Administration claimed that marijuana should be considered a “gateway drug” (a substance, when administered frequently over a long period of time, can encourage the use of harder substances) (41). Its release into national communities spelled harm in the eyes of government officials, and it was immediately and unjustly categorized among the most dangerous of drugs. However, over the past two decades, research on medical marijuana has grown exponentially, revealing just how harmless and beneficial it really is. The overall attitude surrounding marijuana in this country has completely transformed with the implementation of better research and enhanced knowledge surrounding the drug. Almost twenty years ago, in response to its increased control by the DEA, a government study was conducted on March 17, 1999 to comprehensively analyze all literature pertaining to marijuana and its potential medical benefits (Stolberg). Eleven scientists appointed by the Institute of Medicine reported that “the benefits of smoking marijuana were limited by the toxic effects of the smoke, but nonetheless we recommend that the drug be given under close supervision to patients that have not responded to other therapies.” (Stolberg). Contrary to the belief of the U.S. government prior to this study, the report also included that marijuana is in fact not a “gateway drug”, and does not prompt patients to use or administer harder substances (Stolberg). Even as long as twenty years ago, we can visibly witness the beginning of a magnificent era containing extensive and improving research as well as its eventual legalization in some states. Even with limited resources and technology, scientists were able to immediately recognize the faults in the government’s understanding of the drug. As a result, new studies and research methods are being conducted to further solidify marijuana’s role in the world of medicine, and the government is listening.

It is truly quite remarkable that we have, simply put, a plant at our disposal that provides so many natural medical benefits. When compared to other drugs that are chemically altered or even completely human made, marijuana and its corresponding effects occur naturally. Specifically, marijuana contains over 100 naturally occurring chemicals called cannabinoids (Terrie). Each cannabinoid is a derivative from delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, more popularly known as THC 9 (Terrie). THC is the main “ingredient” within the plant, which stimulates the majority of mind and body-altering effects, delivering the “high” that users ultimately seek. Generally, marijuana, and consequently THC, is appropriately labeled as a stimulant (Martin). In order to feel these stimulating effects, naturally occurring cannabinoid receptors, which monitor the immune system, nervous system, and many other parts of the body, interact with the ingested THC, thus delivering its effects, most of which are medicinal (Martin). Ingesting marijuana has proven to be extremely safe using a number of methods. Medical marijuana can be administered through smoking, vaporizing, or eating the necessary extracts from the marijuana plant (Terrie). The THC, along with any other naturally occurring chemicals, are digested or absorbed safely and routinely within the body, resulting in effects lasting anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours depending on the method used to administer the drug (Martin 64). Ultimately, after ingesting their suggested dosage, users experience a safe, natural, and effective way to treat their condition at-hand.

In a documentary published in August 2014, a middle-aged man, Larry, who has been fighting Parkinson’s disease for over 20 years, embarks on a 300-mile bike ride across the state of South Dakota (Rubin). The documentary as a whole captures Larry’s day-to-day struggles with a ravaging and unforgiving disease. Larry is seen struggling to walk, talk, and even stand. He is unable to hold anything due to the full-body tremors that he experiences. His life, as he knows it, is extremely limited due to his condition. For many years, Larry claims that he has tried multiple forms of treatment to no avail. He recalls taking 20 pills a day just to manage his symptoms. Larry, along with his wife, take a trip to San Diego, California in search of a more effective and more efficient alternative. Upon returning from a local dispensary, Larry orally ingests a liquid form of marijuana containing the active ingredient, THC. Within just two minutes, all of his symptoms seem to disappear. The full body tremors are no longer recognizable, his speech returns to normal, and the biggest of all smiles begins to appear on Larry’s face. Firsthand, viewers can witness just how dramatically marijuana can completely eradicate, (at least temporarily), such a terrible and invasive disease. 

It is one thing to see, on paper, the potential that marijuana has when treating severe conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease. However, it is truly astonishing to physically witness just how positive an impact marijuana has on someone with such a wretched condition. The great news is; cannabis is proven to treat a wide range of conditions. In fact, the most definitive case towards the legalization of medical marijuana is its versatility, meaning it can treat a vast array of conditions in all categories, minor, moderate, and severe. For example, most doctors will prescribe a specific medication manufactured only to treat that specified condition. Ergo, a medical professional might prescribe Cymbalta for depression, or Xanax for anxiety. These drugs are purposeful for one sole cause only. On the other hand, marijuana may be prescribed, in a legal state, to treat conditions ranging from lack of appetite and insomnia, to treating those with terminal diseases or to curb the symptoms of chemotherapy in cancer patients (Martin). In fact, medical marijuana is proven to treat hundreds of various diseases and conditions (Martin). As a result, the ability to treat such a large number of ailments has drawn immense popularity. As of March 1, 2016, there are currently over a million registered medical marijuana patients residing in the United States (Castaldo 303). This statistic is especially significant when considering that many states have yet to legalize marijuana, medically or recreationally.  Furthermore, according to a study conducted by the California Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance system, 92% of medical marijuana patients in the state of California who were surveyed reported that the drug was useful and effective in treating or curing their targeted condition (304). These conditions included but were not limited to arthritis, migraine, glaucoma, chronic pain, and cancer (304). When collecting and analyzing this data, it is easy to determine that the use of medical marijuana is both popular and effective. With the further investment in medical marijuana as a valuable entity comes extensive and conclusive research. The evolution of medical marijuana as well as the growth in the world of medicine go hand-in-hand. With improved technology and increasingly qualitative data, the number of conditions or symptoms that marijuana is able to combat will continue to grow exponentially. 

 One final yet major proponent to solidifying marijuana’s role in the medical world is its potential replacement of opioid prescription pain-killers. At this very moment in time, the United States is going through what is perhaps the most devastating drug epidemic in history. Opioids are known as one of the most dangerous and addictive drugs known to man. In fact, from 1999 to 2014, the Department of Human Health and Human Services reported over 165,000 deaths due to opioid overdose (Hsu). Marijuana, on the other hand, has resulted in a grand total of 0 overdoses (Hsu). Yet, doctors nationwide turn to opioid prescriptions before anything else to treat the ailments of their patients. Many scientists, reaching as far back as 15 years ago, began to recognize that it was time for change. Consequently, these tragedies inspired a research team led by Marcus Bachhuber, assistant professor of medicine at the Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, to determine whether the states that legalized medical marijuana had a lower rate of opioid induced deaths (Hsu). Released in 2014, the study revealed a remarkable trend: between 1999 and 2010, states that had legalized medical marijuana had an average of approximately 25 percent fewer opioid overdose deaths each year than states who continued to outlaw marijuana for medical purposes (Hsu). When looking at this tangible data, it is obvious that one drug does not belong in the hands of patients, while the other certainly does. This new, or perhaps not so new “wonder drug” may spell the end for the opiate industry. Evidently, not only can medical marijuana provide the same medicinal benefits that opioids provide with little to no drawbacks, but it has the potential to solve the biggest drug crisis in our nation’s history. 

 Many opposed to the medical marijuana movement claim that there is a “moral” or “ethical” issue to be considered. Moreover, in protestor’s eyes, marijuana is an illegal drug and no one should ever do illegal drugs; therefore, no one should ever use marijuana for any reason. The reality is that this basis for an argument is no longer logical in the modern world. The “moral” issue no longer lies within the bounds of religion, government, law, or any established order. The ethical issue at hand is that many states across the country are denying a medical necessity to those who desperately need it. For example, patients residing in states where medical marijuana is legalized have access to the exact product and care that they need. Meanwhile, patients with all types of ailments, conditions, and diseases who reside in a state where medical marijuana does not exist or is illegal, are denied that same medical benefit. If it is not legalized, the government is consciously denying its citizens of a valid, safe, and effective treatment. Therefore, it is in fact immoral not to legalize medical marijuana, for it has the ability to improve and even save lives of those who are currently suffering, regardless of geographic location. Luckily, supporters will rejoice to the inevitability of its future legalization nationwide. Scientists, politicians, medical professionals, and citizens of the United States who are fighting against its legalization will continue to struggle against increasingly conclusive evidence towards marijuana’s safety, efficiency, and effectiveness. 

The medical marijuana industry in the United States is perhaps one of the fastest growing markets today. Just over 20 years ago, in 1996, California became the first state to legalize and implement medical marijuana (Terrie). As it stands, there are now 28 states that have successfully legalized medical marijuana within their borders (Staff). Automatically, one is able to see the rapid growth in popularity and acceptance for medical cannabis. It is truly only a matter of time before each state’s government recognizes the almost unlimited capabilities that this drug can provide. In general, there are a great multitude of arguments for the legalization of marijuana. The social and economic benefits have already come to fruition in states that have legalized weed, whether it be medically or recreationally. However, the most important issue surrounding the case for marijuana’s legalization is its medical legitimacy. The research, data, and evidence overwhelmingly point in the right direction and will continue to as new technologies, research, and generations of young people strive to awaken those who are asleep to marijuana’s capacities. So, it is not a question of “if” marijuana will ever be nationally legalized, the question is: “when?” It is only a matter of time before marijuana is in the hands of medical professionals and the citizens who need it most. Proponents look forward to the day that the realities of this wonder drug and what it can truly do resonate throughout all borders of the United States. 
