There is no question that the use of marijuana, which derives from cannabis, offers healing benefits. These include helping in chronic pain management, reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea, easing muscle spasms, controlling seizures, stimulating appetite, improving sleep, alleviating PTSD symptoms, reducing social anxiety, and more.
When you are open to taking cannabis or marijuana, and wish to save money on your purchases, you might want to ditch the usual buying from stores, as they can get really expensive when you come to know that you can grow cannabis seeds at-home! That’s right. Brands like Quebec Cannabis Seeds sells the best feminized and autoflower marijuana seeds, and so much more, so you might want to check these out.
But, it is very, very interesting to note that despite the popularity of this drug known for its several health benefits, people are debating with regards to its use. There are dissenting opinions on marijuana or cannabis use mainly due to the fact that one side argues that it is addicting, and it could be. Let’s find out.
What Anti-Cannabis Use Says
Perhaps the most popular came from the first commissioner of the USA Federal Bureau of Narcotics, Harry Anslinger, whose campaign in the 1930s shaped the early prohibition of cannabis. During this time, the world isn’t yet so much open to its use.
Anslinger stated, “Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death.”
That’s a very short quote, but very powerful at that. He dropped the terms “marijuana,” “addictive,” and “death,” alongside accusing this substance of causing insanity and criminality. No wonder his statements influenced the legal treatment of cannabis at that time.
Another statement against marijuana or cannabis use came from none other than Martin Luther King, Jr. himself. He is an American civil rights activist of Black-American descent, a civil rights activist and Baptist minister who became a prominent leader of the civil rights movement from the 1950s until his assassination in 1968.
He said, “In any civilized society, it is every citizen’s responsibility to obey just laws. But at the same time, it is every citizen’s responsibility to disobey unjust laws.”
Lastly, there’s the statement on marijuana use from former USA president Richard Nixon, the 37th president of the United States, and a Republican. His legislative and legal legacy includes landmark environmental protection statutes, major social welfare changes, and foundational rulings on executive privilege. Then, he was also known for his “war on drugs.”
This is why he stated, “Our youth can not understand why society chooses to criminalize a behavior with so little visible ill effect or adverse social impact… These young people have jumped the fence and found no cliff. And the disrespect for the possession laws fosters disrespect for the law and the system in general… On top of this is the distinct impression among the youth that some police may use the marihuana laws to arrest people they don’t like for other reasons, whether it be their politics, their hairstyle, or their ethnic background.”
While this statement of his is not completely anti-marijuana, he implies the disconnect of youth, undermining the legal system, and the abuse of police discretion.
How about those who support cannabis use? What do they say?
Statements From The Proponents Of Cannabis Use, And Pro-Cannabis Use
Medical And Research Statements
Interestingly enough, the statements from pro-cannabis use are a mix of statements from popular people, and from scientific research and studies. These pro-cannabis statements from science highlight the health benefits, social equity, economic growth, and individual liberties associated with its use and legalization.
They are saying that cannabis is the safer alternative to opioids, as it effectively manages chronic pain, muscle spasticity, and nausea with zero documented risk of fatal overdose, making it a safer option than highly-addictive, prescribed opiate painkillers.
They also note its versatile and natural application, explaining how it is an ancient, plant-based remedy. It can be consumed via smoke-free methods like topicals, edibles, and tinctures to avoid lung irritation.
They also argue how cannabis improves quality of life, as a matter of fact, helping palliative patients, the older people, and those with chronic illnesses discover relief, retain their penchant for food, sleep better, and experience better lives daily.
Social Justice And Liberty Statements
These proponents are also strong when it comes to how cannabis use contributes to social justice and liberty, that prohibition has failed, since criminalizing cannabis may have moved, but it has never eliminated its use, similar to what happened during the 1920s prohibition.
They also argued that enforcement against cannabis use is inconsistent, as authorities have never really prohibited its use primarily, according to them, but those who use it, biased against Black-Americans, for instance. Is that the point of King, Jr.?
Also, they stated that consenting adults have the freedom to choose what they take without the fear of a life-altering criminal record.
Economic And Regulatory Statements
There are, of course, also arguments relating cannabis use to the economy. That, first, cannabis use generates massive tax revenue, specifically state taxes, helping fund public schools, infrastructure, and social programs.
It also guarantees product safety, since legal measures implemented for it ensure that products are completely free of dangerous molds, pesticides, or toxic additives. Lastly, decriminalization permits law enforcement to redirect time and money toward solving violent crimes instead of pursuing non-violent possession offenses.
Among the popular sentiments raised in favor of marijuana or cannabis use are contemporary, such as this from CNN Health correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who stated, “Marijuana doesn’t have a high potential for abuse, and there are very legitimate medical applications. Sometimes, cannabis is the only thing that works.”
Comedian Bill Hicks, famous in the 1990s, also has his piece of the coin, saying, “Why is marijuana against the law? It grows naturally upon our planet. Doesn’t the idea of making nature against the law seem to you a bit unnatural?”
In conclusion, navigating the marijuana debate requires balancing individual autonomy and economic opportunity against public health and safety concerns. In the end, crafting effective, evidence-based policy demands a nuanced compromise that protects vulnerable populations while respecting personal freedoms and evolving societal attitudes toward cannabis use. How can we best strike this balance? Well, it is all about listening to each side and weighing your options, since in the end it is you who takes that risk and benefits from its advantages.
