SHOULD MARIJUANA BE LEGALIZED: PRO-LEGALIZATION

I say that marijuana, especially medicinal marijuana and its
dispensaries, should be legalized and these businesses should be able
to continue to remain open to help their patients. In doing so, it
might help alleviate some of the economic woes California is currently facing.

Sure, marijuana is considered to be a dangerous drug that is harmful
to our health, but what about other legal drugs like alcohol and
cigarettes? Too many drinks could lead to alcohol poisoning and do
major damage to the brain, liver and can even lead to a coma.
Cigarettes contain hundreds of chemicals. According to the American
Cancer Society website, after many years of consumption, tobacco use
can lead to emphysema, cardiovascular disease and many types of cancers.

On the other hand, there isn't any concrete proof or facts that
marijuana can cause more damage than the drugs mentioned above. Just
like any other substance, moderation is the key. Users should be
educated about the pros and cons of smoking marijuana and then make
an informed decision as to how much should be consumed.

For people who suffer from chronic pain, nausea, anxiety and
arthritis, medicinal marijuana is proven to be a life-saving
substance helping to alleviate their pain. A Washington Post article
cites that research conducted over the course of five days at a San
Francisco hospital ward tested AIDS patients, all whom suffered from
some sort of nerve pain. The patients were allowed to smoke three
marijuana cigarettes per day.

After those five days, more than half the patients noticed a decrease
of the pain they were feeling before they smoked the marijuana.

With thorough evaluations from doctors in order to obtain a medical
marijuana card and providing strict security for dispensaries to keep
their businesses open and safe, I believe this will help the patients
who otherwise might not have a better alternative to treat their illness.

In November, the ballot measure that would legalize the possession
and sales of marijuana (Proposition 19) will be on California's ballot.

If passed, taxing marijuana may alleviate the state's budget, which
has been in trouble for the past few years and is not getting any
better. So why not approve the ballot and be the first state with the
guts to make a change and see where it leads us?