There are positive effects in the use of marijuana

Jenna Bollinger
My name is Jenna Bollinger, and this is a response to the Sept. 5 article “Legal Weed: More To This Than Simple Up Or Down.” I am appalled by that article’s focus on the negative, biased opinions of our city.

I am very pro legalization of recreational and medicinal marijuana because I have witnessed and experienced the positive effects. There is not sufficient space for me to address the numerous positive effects this plant and its compounds have on people and our society.

- Every hemp plant can save 12 trees.

- If legalized, it would generate $8.7 billion in US tax revenue.

- In the 18 months marijuana has been legal in Colorado, the state has collected over $117 million in combined taxes and the unemployment rate is at a six-year low.

- Almost half of US states have legalized marijuana for medicinal use.

- The cannabinoids in marijuana are used to treat a plethora of medical problems and diseases including, but not limited to cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, schizophrenia, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, depression and arthritis.

- Currently, according to the US federal government, marijuana is categorized as a Schedule 1 drug. This means it’s classified as having a high potential for abuse with no legitimate medicinal uses. Other schedule 1 drugs include: heroin, meth, and LSD.

- The hemp plant and seeds can be used for copious products including but not limited to paper, fabrics and beauty products (we could stop animal testing for beauty products?)

- Hemp plant cultivation and production is illegal in the U.S. However, hemp based products are imported from other countries such as China and Russia where it is industrialized legally.

Marijuana, like everything, is good and bad. The times I have used marijuana for medicinal purposes only, I have done so in a safe environment; the worst that has ever happened is I have fallen asleep. Throughout my life, I have used opioids like Oxycodone for medicinal purposes which produce the same “high” effects.

However, I have never once wanted to use or abuse those drugs in any way. It is asinine to have tobacco and alcohol legal and not marijuana. Prohibition, of any substance is ineffective, if not detrimental.

There is no way to umbrella every person under the negatives and positives of marijuana. Not every person who consumes marijuana will become an addicted, low life citizen. Just as, not every person who ingests alcohol will become an alcoholic, nor will every person who smokes cigarettes develop lung cancer.

The legalization and regulation of marijuana for recreational and medicinal purposes is not irresponsible. Our current opinions and resistance is irresponsible.

We need to stop exacerbating the problem and start alleviating our world’s medical and financial problems! Below are several websites used in writing this response and are highly recommended as educational resources.