People are constantly arguing about the pros and cons of marijuana. Those that are pro medical marijuana argue that the medicine is not only harmless, but also extremely effective. However, skeptics disagree. Nonbelievers are constantly protesting marijuana’s effectiveness as a medication, as well as warning people of the supposed dangers. With these groups constantly clashing, the question remains–should marijuana be legalized?
Three Things Marijuana Protesters Don’t Want the Public to Know:
1. Legal marijuana substitutes, like K2 and Spice, are way more dangerous than medical cannabis.Â
Yes, the fake marijuana that manufacturers pass off as “incense” will get you high. Actually, it will get you very high. But is the high safe? Not exactly. It’s easy to overdose on these synthetic blends, which will lead to vomiting, hallucinations, seizures, increased heart rate, and may even cause a person to pass out. On more than one occasion, these substances have been linked to suicides and other extremely erratic behaviors.
So why is this stuff legal in 47 states, while marijuana, even medicinal marijuana, gets a bad reputation? Who knows. Many state governments are looking to ban the stuff, but the fact remains, it is more dangerous than marijuana, yet still allowed to be sold to consumers.
2. Medical marijuana cards are not given out to any patient that asks.Â
A lot of people argue that the legalization of marijuana, even if just for medical purposes, is allowing people to use cannabis recreationally. In most cases, this just isn’t true. Patients that obtain a medicinal marijuana card must meet with a physician and undergo an evaluation. The bottom line is that patients must have a medical need.
If a doctor is giving out medical marijuana prescriptions to patients that have no medical need, the doctor is the one breaking the law. Medical marijuana doctors are not given free reign to prescribe medicinal cannabis to just anyone. People must also realize that there are doctors who prescribe prescription painkillers to patients that may not exactly need them. Should these medications be illegal as well?
3. Medical Marijuana dispensaries are legitimate, reputable businesses run by good people.Â
Walking into a medical marijuana clinic is not like walking into a drug dealer’s lair. Medicinal marijuana dispensaries are legitimate businesses. They are heavily regulated and must follow strict marijuana laws. Most of these shops are cheerful, pleasant places. In fact, shopping in a marijuana dispensary is usually more pleasant than shopping in your average grocery store, where employees are unpleasant and too busy for customers.
The states that have legalized medical marijuana are not attracting crime or bringing in hoards of questionable characters. If anything, legalizing medical marijuana has boosted the local economy and made patients, who were once suffering from pain and other debilitating conditions, much happier. When asking if marijuana should be legalized, perhaps skeptics should consider these three things, rather than base their arguments on baseless facts.
