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by Ross Marshall
Cannabis is the most used illegal drug in the United Kingdom. Illinois recently became the eleventh of the fifty states in America to legalize Cannabis. It has been scientifically proven Marijuana has less harmful effects than alcohol and cigarettes, both of which are legal in the UK, provided the buyer is above the age of eighteen. However, it continues to remain a class B drug. Despite misconceptions Marijuana is not an addictive substance unlike its two legal counterparts. But why is this black market seemingly coming to end and what would be the benefits?
There are several economic benefits to the substance’s legalisation. In 2015, a study conducted in Colorado showed the state collected more than $135 million in taxes and fees on medical and recreational marijuana, showing it can have a huge impact on tax revenue. But not only is this area a huge opportunity for the Governments of the world, it also opens up huge employment opportunities. For example Setting up and running marijuana dispensaries and nurseries would supply tens of thousands with jobs. A study conducted in the state of Nevada showed 41,000 jobs could be supplied and generated over $1.7 billion in labor income.
Economical advantages are not the only benefits to the substances legislation. The medical interests are also astronomical. It has been proven to be very effective for the chronic pain that plagues millions, especially as they age. Part of its allure is that it is clearly safer than opiates, moreover, it is impossible to overdose on and not addictive. Marijuana is said to be a fantastic muscle relaxant, and it has been known to lessen tremors in Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is something that roughly 10 million people worldwide suffer with everyday. Another highly promising area of research is its use for PTSD in veterans who are returning from war zones. Veterans and their therapists report drastic improvement and uproar for more studies to be conducted. An estimated 50 million people around the world suffer from Epilepsy. Dr. Orrin Devinsky, the director of Langone’s comprehensive Epilepsy Centre in New York City, says pharmaceutical grade cannabidiol creates a huge reduction in Seizures. These results and benefits are surely too much for the governments of the world to ignore.
However with this said, it is important to understand the two main parts within the drug itself. Cannabis can be broken down into two main components CBD and THC.THC is what causes the psychedelic effect of being high. CBD has been proven to be what causes pain relief. This is why it took the world market by storm as it allows a person to relieve themselves of pain, without the psychedelic side effect.
With this said, with pros come cons. Cannabis is used most by teens from the age of 16 to 18. It has been discovered at this age, when your brain is still developing, the active chemicals in cannabis can damage it. Your risk of getting addicted is higher if you start using it in your teens or use it every day. Despite the drug not containing any addictive substances, an NHS article states that 10% of regular cannabis users become dependent on it. Research has also found a link between cannabis and developing psychosis or schizophrenia and like tobacco smoke, cannabis smoke contains cancer-causing chemicals, but it's not clear whether this raises your risk of cancer. Reasons like these are why this topic is such a controversial debate.
In 2016, the Labour party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, said he was in favour of decriminalising cannabis for medicinal use. A labor spokesperson told the BBC: " We do not support the legalisation of cannabis. Our goal is to see fewer people start using drugs, more people helped by it’s treatment ". The Green party has supported it’s decriminalization since it was formed in 1990 with a view to establishing a fully legalised, controlled and regulated trade, similar to other countries in which the substance is now legal.
Along with the 11 states, Canada became the second country in the world (in 2018), after Uruguay, to formally legalize the cultivation, possession and consumption of Cannabis. The band wagon of legalising the drug will no doubt grow but only time will tell how long it will be before the substance is recognised as a legal substance worldwide.
Harvard Health medical school
Investopedia
NHS
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