Should Marijuana be legalize in the Nepal ?

Should Marijuana be legalize in the Nepal?

Cannabis sativa, commonly known as marijuana, is a plant species that is mainly known for its psychoactive effects when consumed – either through smoking, ingesting, or vaporizing. Being outlawed in most country (Marijuana: The Facts), it has since been falsely accused with many negative side-effects... almost none being scientifically proven. It causes a knowledgeable person to wonder why marijuana is kept prohibited, while harmful substances such as alcohol and tobacco are kept legal and supported by the government subsidiaries. Basing its legalization on another fallacy is illogical. However, basing its justification on sheer evidence and practical morals is quite the contrast.

There are many common misconceptions on marijuana; its’ supposed physically addictive properties being one of them. The hype around marijuana’s addictiveness is misleading to the core. In fact, marijuana has shown to be the least addictive out of 6 commonly used drugs – caffeine, alcohol, heroin, cocaine, nicotine, and marijuana (Markoff). Studies show that it can actually help patients who are dependent on ‘hard’ drugs, such as cocaine, in the battle on their dependence (Hess). Not only are its physically addictive properties a misconception, but also its psychologically addictive properties.

Studies have estimated that between 5 and 10% of those who try smoking cannabis will become daily users sometime during their life, but most of these smokers will have given up the habit by age 30 and few remain daily smokers after age 40 (Erowid). In fact, marijuana’s addictiveness is so highly disregarded by doctors that it is more than 3 times less addictive when compared to caffeine. Moreover, nicotine is more addictive than the 5 other drugs in the study – alcohol, heroin, cocaine, caffeine, and marijuana. In addition, alcohol is more addictive as well (Markoff). Making the addictive properties of marijuana a foundation in an argument supporting its prohibition is a true lapse in logic. When in comparison to the other 5 commonly used drugs, marijuana’s addiction is obviously insignificant. It leaves one standing shocked when pondering over the fact that nicotine and alcohol are still legal, even with proven negative side effects. It causes one to ponder to why alcohol and nicotine are legal with their high magnitude of addiction, whereas marijuana is prohibited.

Another false belief of marijuana is its connection to various types of cancer, such as lung and oral cancer. This belief is supported by the fact that marijuana contains 50 percent more carcinogens (cancer causing substances) than tobacco (BBCNews). However, research has proven that marijuana use is not connected to a much higher risk of cancer. Many studies actually show no sign of increased risk at all (Boyles, Bates, and Gardner). Surprisingly enough, marijuana use causes a positive affect on cancerous tumors. The main ingredient in marijuana, THC, has been attributed to this positive effect, says the American Association for Cancer Research. (AACR).

Another myth about marijuana is its retarding of the human brain after long term use. It is believed that it causes brain cells to die, which is a side effect of consistent binge alcohol drinking. However, research says otherwise. Contrary to wide belief, marijuana use actually promotes neurogenesis - the growth of brain cells (University of Saskatchewan), and causes no negative cerebral structural changes (DeLisi), which is differing from the true hard drugs like meth and cocaine.

One of the major problems of common medical drugs is their addictive, and sometimes more harmful, side-effects. A solid testament to this notion is a painkiller known as OxyContin, whose main ingredient is oxycodone. If used consistently for a mild period of time, oxycodone causes dependence in the user (The Center for Substance Abuse Research). A prime example is a prescribed painkiller known as OxyContin, whose main ingredient is oxycodone. If used over a long period of time, oxycodone causes dependence in the user (The Center for Substance Abuse Research). On the other hand, marijuana not only helps with chronic pain in many patients, but it also sidesteps the negative side effects that come along with most prescription painkillers (Weiss). It is morally wrong to allow patients to continually suffer from the negative side affects of their prescribed drugs, when there is a safe and logical alternative – marijuana. Yes, as we perfect the medicines, sometimes the harmful side-effects cease, but for now we have a great alternative which only causes mild intoxication concerning motor skills.

Furthermore, not only does marijuana act as an analgesic, it also aids a variety, and can even prevent, of other illnesses. These include, but are not limited to: Asthma, Chemotherapy, Diabetes, Depression, Epilepsy, Heart and Cardiovascular Disease, Hepatits, Herpes, Multiple Sclerosis, Neuropathic Pain, Osteoporosis, and Post traumatic stress syndrome (Above the IGNORANCE). It is upsetting to most people not living in the medical marijuana states as they cannot take the safe alternative. Also, with all prescriptions, one runs the risk of an accidental overdose. However, with marijuana there have been no reported overdoses. According to government authorities, one would have to either smoke 1/3 of their body weight within a time span of 15 minutes ("Lethal Dose of Maijuana").

With marijuana’s multiple medicinal advantages, the question as why it is continued to be prohibited arises. But with all great things, come flaws, however miniscule in size. Compared to non smoking people, marijuana users had a slight difference in lung capacity. Compared to tobacco users, however, marijuana measured much better. While the lungs exposure to marijuana smoke over causes a slight decrease in lung capacity there are safe alternatives. One way is through the means of ingestion. There are a variety of ways to prepare marijuana in food, and it is a perfectly safe alternative to smoking. Another perfectly safe alternative is the act of vaporizing.

Vaporization is a technique for avoiding irritating respiratory toxins in marijuana smoke by heating cannabis to a temperature where the psychoactive ingredients evaporate without causing combustion. You inhale a mist instead of actual smoke (Marijuana Vaporizers). This allows for the same medical and psychoactive benefits of marijuana, without any harmful toxins being inhaled into your lungs. It leads one to ask “Why not?”

Another argument that the majority people support is that if marijuana were to be legalized, it would cause many “high-driving” incidents. The notion that people believe is that marijuana use hinders one’s driving ability. However, this has been unsupported by research. In fact, marijuana use has actually shown to increase caution in drivers, as they are aware of their state of mind. This causes them to drive slower and less riskily. Also, research has not been able to link a higher risk of a traffic collision in people who drive while under marijuana’s influence.

For example, a recent study sponsored by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) involving analysis of nearly 2000 fatal accident cases, found 6.7 % of drivers positive for marijuana. In more than two-thirds of those, alcohol was present and may have been the primary contributor to the fatal outcome (Zimmer). If one does not condone research as the foundation of the legalization of any potentially harmful substance, then what? Marijuana use should be legal within the private confines of an individual’s house. If not legal for all, marijuana should be legal as a medical drug for peoples. Marijuana has been proven safe and its prohibition is wrong on many levels.

"Prohibition...goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded." Abraham Lincoln December, 1840

 
References
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