Persuasive Speech on Legalizing Weed

Could Majuana Be The Answer? In persuasive speech on legalizing weed outline this question dilemma is discussed. Everyday someone falls victim to the opioid crisis, weather that be addiction or overdose. Opioids are a type of powerful narcotic pain medication derived poppy plant. This medication comes in pill or liquid form and is available with a doctor's prescription. ​This epidemic hasn’t gone unnoticed by the media or the public. In the early 1960’s health professions assured the public that patients could not become addicted to prescription pain relievers which lead to these opioids being over prescribed in higher doses at higher rates. ​A little more than 191 million opioid prescriptions were given in American patients in 2017 with wide variation across states.​This lead to addiction on a large scale across the United States. ​In 2014, it was reported that six out of 10 deaths that year were due to opioid related overdoses. Over 2.1 million people have suffered from prescription opioid addiction in the last 2 decades. That’s the highest ever recorded in the last half a century.

Opioids frequently cause nausea, vomiting, constipation and severe itching. Long-term use can lead to dependence, addiction and numerous physical complications, including overdose and death. ​The most common side effects of using opioid are withdrawal symptoms that are hard to maintain and deal with. As reported by the CDC, one in every four persons receiving long-term opioid therapy in a healthcare care setting is struggling with drug addiction. People addicted to opioids may even go as far as to use synthetic forms of the drug which can be laced with a number lethal components. Not only is this a tremendous problem but the issue does not stop there. The cost of these drugs are skyrocketing. According to Grand View Research ​the global opioids market size was valued at USD 25.4 billion in 2018. Patients with regular prescriptions can spend on average $126.00 per week or $6,552.00 per year. For patients without insurance this is a detrimental cost for medications. On average insurance covers only 30% of the prescription meaning money still comes out of consumers pockets. 

Marijuana, also known as cannabis or pot, has a long history of human use. Most cultures as herbal medicine, likely starting in Asia around 500 BC. The history of cannabis cultivation in America dates back to the early colonists, who grew hemp for textiles and rope. Political and racial factors in the 20th century led to the criminalization of marijuana in the United States, though its legal status is changing in many places. The cannabis plants originally evolved in Central Asia before introducing the plant into Africa, Europe and eventually the Americas. Hemp fiber was used to make clothing, paper, sails and rope, and its seeds were used as food before it was ever used as a recreational drug.

The regulated use of marijuana could potentially have a superb impact on not only patients but the nations government as well. Marijuana could be a cheaper alternative to expensive prescription drugs, while also controlling and possibly eliminating opioid addiction. This is one of the most controversial and social issues of today. Should we or should we not legalize the open use and dispense of marijuana.

Marijuana dispensaries make over $22 million in annual revenues a year individually. The biggest issue with the legalization of marijuana is how will this affect other industries such as tobacco and alcohol industry, both being multibillion dollar industries. We have all heard and or seen the side effects of tobacco and alcohol use, but those industries give billions to the government so of course that financial impact must be taken into consideration in the legalization of marijuana. When ​marijuana ​is ​legalized the government will control over the price marijuana by increasing or decreasing the taxes on the production and consumption of marijuana ​Some who take the stance against the legalization of marijuana say that it can’t be taxed and packaged, but offering a rebuttal to that dispensaries have been paying taxes on sales and on product. With states legalizing medical marijuana and recreational cannabis use the change in how society sees the various uses for marijuana. Many patients glorify cannabis for relieving their chronic nerve pains by changing the way nerves function. Cannabis in lower levels have also been associated with relieving patients of their seizures. Marijuana has even been used to treat the side effects of chemotherapy for patients dealing with cancer such as nausea, vomiting, and different forms of pain due to nerve damage. Certain strains of cannabis have even been said to kill certain strains of cancer cells. This miracle plant also helps those with loss of appetite due to other medical issues, and helps to relax muscle tension and spasms and chronic pain.

This far more than just “looking cool” because you smoke marijuana this is potentially a cure for the opioid crisis. We know the difference between an actual patient and someone who just enjoys the recreational use of marijuana. There’s no issue with that when the use is monitored and regulated, which as previously stated could potentially bring in a lot of revenue by becoming an immediate cash crop. One of the biggest arguments against legalizing weed is “ Smoking marijuana will lead to using other drugs”. When in actuality people who go out and look for harder drugs, have smoked cigarettes, and drink huge amounts of alcohol in their lifetime. Alcohol and tobacco industries cause way more harm, and this is no secret so the public. The different toxins and compounds that can’t be pronounced have been approved by the FDA. Why not legalize weed? You certainly can’t overdose on it, which ensures public safety. Legalizing weed would also help the economy create jobs. The employment rate on its own is a whole other problem.

Overall, the regulated use of medical marijuana has the potential to help millions, while solving various other worldly issues. As of 2018, 33 states have taken the stand to legalize the use and distribution of marijuana. Our government hasn’t quite responded to this issue in the way needed not only to diminish the opioid crisis but to help the millions of citizens that suffer everyday from pain. With states legalizing weed there will not only be a huge economic growth but their will also be a huge spark in research on other uses for the drug. Legalization would be such a beautiful thing for this country.

Work Cited

• “Opioids Market Size, Share, Trends: Global Industry Report, 2019-2026.” ​Opioids Market Size, Share, Trends | Global Industry Report, 2019-2026​, www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/opioids-market​.
• II, Vann R. Newkirk. “What Can't Medical Marijuana Do?” ​The Atlantic​, Atlantic Media Company, 18 July 2016, www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/07/medical-marijuana-costs-elderly-health/491306/