1. The benefits to marijuana outweigh the dangers
Marijuana is an endocannabinoid, which means the drug stimulates the endocannabinoid receptors in the body. There are two types of endocannabinoid receptors in the body, CB1 and CB2. CB2 receptors are typically found in the immune system. CB1 are found in the brain and spinal cord. Therefore, this drug can be used to target that area if it is the cause of the problem.
But how does marijuana help? Well, remember that CB1 receptor. Scientists believe that the CB1 is linked to several pathways in the body. The CB1 receptor is classified as a G-protein coupled receptor, acting as a second messenger, sending different signals throughout the body. Once activated, the CB1 receptor inhibits Ca2+ influx and increases K+ influx. This prevents the calcium from coming into the cell and stimulating a reaction by releasing certain neurotransmitters. For someone who has too much stimulation, such as those suffering from seizures, Parkinson’s Disease, or MS, this could be an option to decrease the symptoms. Another way that an activated CB1 receptor helps these patients is that when the CB1 receptor is turned “on,” then the sphingomyelin (SM) protein gets broken down by the protein, sphingomyelinase (SMase). This results in the release of ceramide, which is known to build up the lipid barrier and further prevents the Ca2+ from coming into the cell.
The danger of marijuana comes from when too much prevention leads to cell death. However, not many studies have been done on the drug, since it is still illegal on a national level.
To summarize, the chemicals in marijuana tell the body to “shut down” for a little bit. This helps those suffering from chronic pain and illness to experience some relief.
2. The contents within the marijuana can be regulated
Another danger of marijuana is when the drug is purchased off of the streets. No one truly knows what is in the pot. Frequently, police have picked up marijuana that was laced with either heroin or fentanyl. Combining marijuana with other very dangerous drugs can lead to death. If marijuana was legal on a national scale, the product would need to be under FDA regulations and the number of deaths from synthetic marijuana or pot laced with fentanyl (often referred to by cops as “pink death”) to decrease significantly.
3. Marijuana can be taxed
Remember that pothole that you hit on the way to work? That hole could be repaired with pot. Right now, the marijuana market is a trade that goes untaxed. Even in medical marijuana shops where is it legal in the state, they typically only accept cash payment. If the drug became legal, it would help fund a lot of projects that we currently don’t have the money for at this moment.
4. Eliminate the amount of non-violent criminals in the prison system
Several men and women are in jail for possession or distribution of marijuana. From 2001 to 2010, there have been 8.2 million arrests for marijuana. Out of those arrests, 88% were taken into custody for only possession of marijuana https://www.aclu.org/gallery/marijuana-arrests-numbers. The inmates were not being violent and bad; they were smoking or had pot. And, as it turns out, a great number of those arrested, are people of color. ‘“Criminalizing drug use has devastated families across the US, particularly in communities of color, and for no good reason,” said Maria McFarland Sánchez Moreno, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, in a statement.’ (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/09/26/more-people-were-arrested-last-year-over-pot-than-for-murder-rape-aggravated-assault-and-robbery-combined/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.eed0c725a2de) If we legalize marijuana, we can decrease the number of arrests on non-violent offenders and overall, save money in the legal system.
