Medical cannabis waves of legalization is somewhat an argument not to be taken for granted. Another claim made in conjunction with marijuana being non-addictive is that; it is medicinal and safe. As more research and study continues, it does appear that certain aspects of cannabis — marijuana seeds, buds, extracts and other derived products do have therapeutic effects. The challenge is that these claims have often been used as an argument to "prove" that all cannabis is safe.

This argument fails logically and seems to have decreased the "fear" of use and thereby increased the number of youth who have tried or regularly use the drug. If a person wants to improve certain medical conditions, leading a healthier lifestyle is probably a better approach. Especially since research does indicate the use of cannabis can affect mood, brain development, and other cognitive functions.

Medical Cannabis Legalization Challenges

Legalizing medical cannabis would not be responsible for dismantling criminal activities. There are merits in the potential uses of cannabis for medicinal purposes. The challenges posed here are the polarized viewpoints on both sides that have made some of the research potentially biased and more political. Furthermore, high-profiled drug companies have likely stayed away from the drug, either because it lacks the effects they seek, or for the inability to patent it and make profits.

Cannabis does seem to help in curbing the symptoms of numerous illnesses, but should not be mistaken for a cure. In this respect, it is comparable to conventional pharmaceuticals. There are side-effects and the possibility of dependence and addiction. Pharmacies are strictly regulated with clinical trials and in the manufacturing process for dosage and potency.

What About Legalizing Medical Cannabis As A Source Of Revenue?

Taxing cannabis would be a source of income that would save the government money. The cost of policing, criminalizing, prosecution, and incarceration of cannabis users is expensive. However, it seems so hard to believe that an increased number of cannabis users, increased availability and access would not then increase the number of people dependent, thereby increasing social costs for rehabilitation.

These increased revenues would be more than offset by social costs, even if cannabis created less than half the problems of alcohol. To expand the economic picture beyond this narrow scope would become difficult, for one would have to take in even more factors and make comparisons where data is not readily available.

Medical Cannabis Social Value

Looking at the social values compared to tax revenue for two legal drugs (alcohol and tobacco) and making a direct comparison does not look favourable. One can see that the costs of policing, DUIs, deaths, rehabilitation, violence, lost productivity, and health costs all seem to outweigh the tax gain far. If one were to consider expanded marijuana usage of any "high" strain like grandaddy purple feminized, then raised in dependency and abuse would logically follow.

Impact Of Legal Medical Marijuana On Crimes And Violence

Another argument to be considered is one of reduced in violence. Legalizing cannabis would reduce cartel violence and gang numbers. By depriving these groups of capital and by removing a vital source of revenue, they would cease to exist, and peace would, unfortunately, is not likely.

Legal Medical Cannabis Significant Assumptions On Drug Cartels

Legalizing medical cannabis makes two significant assumptions. One of the sole reasons for the existence of cartels and gangs is marijuana, and without it, they would crumble. Criminal organizations would not adapt and still attempt to control the sale and distribution of cannabis through legal channels.

Groups frequently exist as a product of a challenging environment of social imbalance and a perceived lack of opportunity and a call for "respect." To make money and earn respect, gang members perpetuate a long list of crimes, and marijuana is not always a part of that comparison in terms of sales. Therefore, it is doubtful that by legalizing cannabis, it would solve the gang problem.

Medical Cannabis Legalization To Control The Cartel

Cartels exist as a product of a weak control or management of drugs. Removing cannabis from the equation could hurt the enormous profits the cartels make but are not likely to destroy them or dismantle them. In reality, if recent developments are any indicator, there is a chance of increased confusion as cartels would strive to preserve the profits to get accustomed to what they have grown.

A more frantic organization would fight harder for control of the exchanges they already have. President Calderon's crackdown on cartels has already expressed this act in Mexico. As for gangs, they have been through the ups and downs of marijuana's fame and will remain to exist.

Bottom Line

Issues are currently not the case for in deference to cannabis; legalization may not seem to be the best alternative. Perhaps a method of regulated de-criminalization and improved research could pose a less radical approach to a drug that has been around for hundreds of years and is not likely going anywhere soon.

In conclusion, it would appear that many of the arguments for legalizing cannabis have not been thoroughly washed out. There are countless other cases made on the part of legalizing medical marijuana. Many are acting passionately and eloquently, just as many argue against it with equal enthusiasm.