Several countries have already legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes, and some of them have gone a step further to legalize recreational use. However, in most countries around the world, possession or use of marijuana is still illegal. There are many reasons why more states should consider legalizing the use of medical marijuana. Unlike the recreational use of marijuana, medical marijuana has cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol content. Some of the reasons to support the legalization of medical marijuana are highlighted below.
It Reduces the Use of Prescription Drugs
Numerous studies show medical marijuana has fewer side effects when compared to other painkillers. These studies also show that patients felt a lot better when using medical marijuana instead of painkillers. Common painkillers such as oxycodone and morphine are known to have addictive properties and can be quite dangerous when misused or abused. Patients must use them exactly as directed by their physicians to avoid cases of overdose that can be fatal. Medical cannabis can give similar painkilling effects, but without the risk of overdosing. That is because it is almost impossible to overdose on medical marijuana, which makes it a safe alternative to most of the prescription drugs.
Legalization Does Not Increase Usage of the Drug
One of the main reasons why most states hesitate to legalize the use of medical marijuana is the fear that it will lead to increased usage. However, the experience from countries that have legalized the use of marijuana shows that that is not the case. The reason for that can be attributed to education and regulation. That indicates that knowledge and control should be the focus on the debate of whether or not to legalize medical marijuana. The idea should be to facilitate finding a place nearby to buy marijuana, and discourage abuse of the drug at the same time.
It Has Numerous Medical Benefits
The one major misconception about marijuana that has been there for a long time is that it has numerous adverse effects on human health. There might be some elements of truth in it, but that depends on how marijuana is administered. Also, the circumstances under which cannabis is administered matters. Used correctly, it can aid in the treatment of cancer, AIDS, arthritis, and anorexia. It can also be used to treat various mental conditions, such as stress, bipolar disorder, anxiety, insomnia, and depression. All those medical benefits are worth making medical marijuana legal so that everyone can enjoy the benefits when needed.