"Marijuana is the third most popular recreational drug in America (behind only alcohol and tobacco), and has been used by nearly 80 million Americans. Around 50,000 people die each year from alcohol poisoning. Similarly, more than 400,000 deaths each year are attributed to tobacco smoking." By comparison, marijuana is less dangerous, non-toxic, and cannot cause death by overdose or miss use. The smoking of cannabis even long-term, has yet been proven harmful to health. Therefore, it would be reasonable to judge cannabis as less of a drug threat then alcohol or tobacco. Our public policies should reflect this reality, not deny it.
All around the world marijuana has its numerous nicknames. To many it's known as Mary Jane, reefer, pot, cush, sticky icky, bud, chronic, and the sweet cheeba. But to some individuals it is known as medicinal or medical marijuana. It's this drug that helps them pass the time, day after day. These patients range in age from 14 to 86. Their illnesses are as common as severe headaches to phantom pain of an amputated limb. Many paraplegics and quads have had this so-called "drug" prescribed to them because it soothes their unbearable spasms and gives them hope and reason to live.
Almost every culture that we have knowledge of has historically used this ancient herb for all kinds of ailments, both physical and mental. Our own culture used cannabis up to 60 years ago. That's when the pharmaceutical companies stepped in and realized that they were unable to make money off of a plant. So the conspiracy began. But the truth is now emerging. Many state legislators like Alaska, California, Oregon, Ohio, and Colorado have made the punishments for using marijuana less harsh. And it is becoming more common to see this helpful drug being prescribed by doctors.
Enforcing marijuana prohibition costs taxpayers around $10 billion annually and results in the arrest of more then 734,000 individuals each year.