Argumentative Essay. Authorization of Marijuana in the US

Authorization of Marijuana in the US
Name
Institution of affiliation
Authorization of Marijuana in the US
The legitimization of marijuana in the US has been a very controversial topic over the past decades. Critics have always stated their reasons against approving the drug, while supporters have been free to share the incredible benefits of using it. Whether one is a critic or a supporter, marijuana, like most substances, has its unique benefits and drawbacks. However, in the US, the government restricts the use of cannabis sativa in most states, giving the cynics triumphs over the drug, while the defenders are selling and consuming the drug in their clandestine operations.
Many people claim that cannabis sativa has immense therapeutic benefits. Despite these claims, the Federal government has not fully legalized the drug because researchers and scientists have not been able to prove these numerous benefits that are attributed to marijuana (Kesler, 2019). Besides, the researchers are restricted by the stern laws against the consumption of marijuana in the US. Cannabis sativa contains 85 phytocannabinoids. The major constituents of pot are; tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). They give it medicinal value (Quintas, 2019). THC gives cannabis its psychoactive effects while CBD gives it antipsychotic, hypnotic, neuro-protective, and Anxiolytic impacts on the consumer. CBD can be used in treatment cancerous brain cells and Parkinson's disease, which is degenerative neural disease (Patel et al., 2019). The drug can also be used to treat Alzheimer's patients and a reduction of neuropathic pain. Medical use of marijuana has been legalized in half of the US. Nine states have authorized both medical and recreational consumption of the drug. The supporters of marijuana consumption for national sanctioning of the drug in the US, claiming that it would set an excellent example for developing nations and affirmative action towards attaining maximum democracy in the country.
The claim that marijuana has immense therapeutic benefits is a fallacy. Abusive consumption of the drug has a detrimental impact on health. THC, which is the active ingredient in the drug, influences the activities of the brain and the nervous system. For this reason, the victims usually exhibit symptoms of impaired memory and confusion. They also hallucinate and experience delusions. Marijuana users may also experience a fall in blood pressure and an increased heartbeat by up to 100% (Levy et al., 2018). Furthermore, marijuana smokers can experience health problems associated with tobacco since they share a wide range of constituents. The drug can cause acute illnesses of the lungs, coughing, irritating chest, and production of phlegm. Therefore, it is not right to overlook the negative impact of marijuana on health because of the few proven medical benefits it has.
Those who approve the use of marijuana claim that the strict policies against the consumption of cannabis, has an enormous negative social impact on US society. In 2018, for instance, the senator of Ohio, Tim Ryan, pointed out that more than seventy thousand prisoners have been wrongfully charged and detained because of the sale and consumption of marijuana (Ryan, 2018). He further a...