Why Pot Should Be Legal

DID THAT TITLE GET YOUR ATTENTION?

Warning: I am not a doctor, nor a writer of scholarly articles. I did research everything I included in this post and list my sources. If something is my opinion or anecdotal evidence, I state it as such.

Truth: I think pot should be legal for medicinal purposes.

Truth: I do not smoke/vaporize/consume edibles.

Truth: Most medical doctors support medicinal marijuana. (Source)

Truth: 23 states and D.C. have already legalized it's use for medicinal purposes. (Source)

Truth: This post is about why I believe medicinal marijuana should be legalized in the ENTIRE country and it should be legalized YESTERDAY.

"The idea that people are able to get their cannabis medicine in one state, but not another, defies some of the core principles of our medical system, which strives for an equality of health care in terms of options," -Dr. Sanjay Gupta

DON'T SKIP THE VIDEO!

The following video from CNN is 1 minute and 44 seconds long. It clearly and concisely explains why marijuana can be effective in treating and managing symptoms of epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, nausea, and all sorts of different things. It explains why you need the whole plant, not just certain, extracted chemicals. Watch the video. (If it doesn't load on your screen or you want to open a new window to view it, click here.)

I have found conflicting reports about the research done on marijuana. Some articles state that there is a lot of research on medical marijuana and some say there is not. (Shocker: The articles against it say there is not enough research and the articles for it say there is enough.) But if the data on marijuana's benefits is lacking, it is because federally it is categorized as a "Schedule 1" substance, which is given to drugs with "no accepted medicinal use and a high potential for abuse." This label was given in 1970, before we knew of the medicinal benefits of the drug. I think a tremendous step would be to remove the "Schedule 1" label from medical marijuana so it can be properly and legally researched even more so maybe it can help more people.

Marijuana has such a stigma attached it it. It's time to get rid of the stigma and accept what we know to be true about this natural plant and spend the time and money to learn more about what we don't know. This is not about getting high. This is about changing people's lives and their quality of life.

SOME THOUGHTS ON SIDE EFFECTS...

Here are some of the side effects marijuana can have on the body and brain: (I am not even going to mention the lungs because there are other ways to use marijuana besides smoking it.)

Slowed coordination

Trouble with memory and attention

Bloodshot eyes

Increased appetite

Fast heart rate

Dry Mouth

Trouble concentrating

(Source)

Here are some of the side effects listed on my husband's 3 different anti seizure medicines- Keppra, Ativan, and Lamictal:

skin rashes

blood dyscrasias (what he hell is that?)

organ failure (lovely.)

suicidal behavior

aseptic meningitis

withdrawal seizures

status epilepticus (happened already)

sudden unexplained death

confusion

hyperactivity

depression

agitation

hallucinations

drowsiness

blurred vision

insomnia

lack of coordination (same as weed!)

forgetfulness and trouble concentrating (same as weed!)

nausea

vomiting

constipation

fever, chills, body aches

increasing or worsening seizures

jaundice

itching

dark urine

headache

runny nose

neck pain

Yeah, that's a lot. Now, one could argue that marijuana may have more serious side effects than what we know of. Well, don't you think we should research that? Maybe there are certain strains that are helpful, yet carry less side effects.

Hypothetical Situation: Say after years of use, there is some horrible, life ending side effect of marijuana. (I made his up for the hypothetical.) What if someone who suffers from epilepsy could live 30 years seizure free.... be able to run, lift weights, play basketball, work, go to Vegas (helloooooooo bright lights!)... and then maybe have to deal with a horrible side effect later on in life. Shouldn't that be their choice? And wouldn't it be an easy choice? I know I would rather have 30 quality years left of my life than 50 years not being able to do the things I loved. Just as my husband was allowed to say, "Sure, I'll take lamictal, even though it may cause organ failure," he should have that same choice with other drugs (such as marijuana).

SOME ARGUMENTS THAT ARE A CROCK OF SHIT

Argument: "Marijuana is a gateway drug! If people are allowed to start using marijuana, they will go on to using harder substances!"

Truth: Marijuana is not a gateway drug. Studies that show people who try marijuana go on to harder substances is correlation, not causation. Almost half the country has tried pot. Half the country is not addicted to harder drugs. (Source) Just think of the many people reading this right now. A LOT of you have probably tried pot. Are you now using heroin and crack? Probably not. 

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Argument: "But if we allow marijuana for medicinal use, it will make it more accessible for children and teenagers to get their hands on it!"

Truth: Legalizing medical marijuana has no effect on teen use. (Source)

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Argument: "But people will get addicted!"

Truth: 9-10% of adult users develop a dependence on marijuana. For cigarettes, it's 30%. (Source)

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Argument: "What if someone OVERDOSES!!!!!?????"

Truth: No one has ever died from a marijuana overdose. (Source) But every 19 minutes, someone in our country dies from a prescription drug overdose. (Source)

STUFF ABOUT THE WAY SOME PEOPLE TALK ABOUT LEGALIZATION THAT GETS MY PANTIES IN A BUNCH

I hate when it's called "the compassionate use of marijuana". We don't say "compassionate" for other drugs. When I had knee surgery, I wasn't given Vicodin for the "compassionate" use of it. Doctors don't prescribe antibiotics "compassionately" for someone who has strep throat. Why does weed have to be "compassionate". If it works for someone, they should be able to use it without fancy terminology. I think some people just use the word compassionate to show that they still think pot is bad, but if someone is really suffering, then they should be able to use it. It's a cop out. And it aggravates me.

I hate how it's all about the children. Everyone jumps on children with epilepsy and how marijuana can stop their seizures. Yes, it is wonderful that it helps children, but I hate when people say they support it "for the children". What about the adults who are suffering? It shouldn't matter the age of the person suffering. If you're for it, you should be for it for everyone. What about soldiers who served our country and are now suffering from PTSD? What about fathers and mothers who want to be able to care for their children? What about my husband, who would be able to go back to work if his seizures were managed?

Here are some documentaries you may enjoy watching:

WEED - A CNN Special Report by Dr. Sanjay Gupta

WEED 2 - Cannibis Madness - Dr. Sanjay Gupta Reports

IN CONCLUSION

If all the evidence I have listed here isn't enough to convince you, let me tell you a little story. Someone who I love dearly suffers from seizures. This person can't do any of the physical activities he used to enjoy doing because it causes symptoms- small seizures as well as grand mal. One night, after doing the laundry, the two of us went for a low key walk around our neighborhood. He had a grand mal seizure on the curb in front of our neighbor's house.

This same person and I traveled to Colorado this summer. We never stopped moving. We went on two and a half hour hikes- up and down hills in a city that is a mile above sea level. He was able to legally use marijuana to medicate himself during this trip. Guess what? He had not one single seizure, aura, or any symptom at all. He could do whatever he wanted and not worry about having a seizure. He played a 23 hole disc golf course in the blazing sun at an altitude of 8,200 feet. This wasn't to "get high". It was to have a freaking nice 6 day vacation and feel normal again.

No questions, feel free to leave any and all comments/thoughts below.