By: Mason Benovy
Over 40 years ago, the US Congress placed marijuana in Schedule I of the Controlled Substance Act, defining it as [a drug] with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, but soon, that could all be changing.
On April 17, 2016, Governor Tom Wolf signed the Medical Marijuana Act which legalized medical cannabis in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is the 24th state to legalize medical marijuana and additional states are not far behind.
This Bill, Senate Bill 3, in simple terms, allows doctors to prescribe certain forms of medical marijuana to a patient who meets some requirements and is suffering from one of the approved medical conditions. The drug can be given in the form of a pill, an oil, a liquid extract, or any form “medically appropriate for use in a vaporizer or nebulizer” other than dry leaf.
Polls by the Pew Research Center show that support for marijuana legalization is rapidly outgrowing disapproval of it. Polling also shows that nearly 70% of Americans believe alcohol is more dangerous than marijuana. With that being said, and almost half of US states legalizing medical marijuana since 1975, many wonder what the future is for marijuana in America.
While the complete effects of medical marijuana are unknown, both doctors and scientists agree that the benefits are tangible. Multiple studies have shown the effects of cannabis in an abundance of diseases. From alleviating pain in multiple sclerosis and arthritis to helping to slow the spread of cancer. Medical marijuana can also help with mental illnesses like post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety.
Colorado has seen great economic benefits from the legalization. Statistics show that the state government has collected $23.7 million in taxes on marijuana in the last fiscal year. In Washington marijuana sales have been averaging $2.4 million a day, which will give the government $65 in a year.
On top of the fiscal benefits, both Colorado and Washington have seen improvements in other ways. Since the passing of the bill, Washington has seen it’s violent crime rate decrease, and the overall crime rate remains at a 40 year low. Colorado has experienced similar decreases, and has saved money on the reduced arrests and traffic fatalities.
The path forward is clear. Marijuana should explored as a legal, medical option for doctors nationwide.
