The Issue of Marijuana By: Rachel Scardina

Background Contains 60 different cannabinoids 28 states have legalized for medical use Non-addictive

Tobacco vs. Cannabis No link between cannabis inhalation and the negative effects associated with tobacco such as the prevalence of other cancers or other negative pulmonary effects. It was also shown that there was also absolutely NO correlation between smoking cannabis and an increased risk of lung cancer. In the end, cannabis is more healthy drug but it is illegal while cannabis is not.

Which is worse: alcohol or marijuana? While alcohol acts as a central nervous system depressant and slows the central nervous system causing changes in motor abilities, and cognitive functions, while marijuana does not. Other perk of marijuana is that it is non-addictive and it is impossible to overdose because the amount is too high for humans to achieve; the same can not be said for alcohol or tobacco for that matter.

Lavie Parush’s story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM5eX1qcPJ8

Medical Benefits 28 states in America have legalized the plant for medical uses Helps elevate and treat seizures as seen with Lavie Parushand it also helps with chronic pain, nausea/ vomiting, poor, appetite, etc. Very few side effects and any common ones aren quite minor such as dizziness

Economic Aspect In the first year following legalization in Colorado, 52.6 million dollars were generated in tax revenue. While this wasn’t as much as expected, this number increased the next year. After only the first seven months of 2015, Colorado collected 73.5 million dollars and taxes and fees and that was with only a little over half a year of data. Overall, its legalization could generate up to $22 billion in annual revenue and $35 billion in sales by 2020 if all 50 states legalized its use.

Citations http://www.wealthdaily.com/articles/smart-tobacco-is-here/7606 http://seattlecannabis.co/double-delicious/ http://peyialaw.com/criminal-law/6-alcohol-allowed-percentage-has- been-reduced http://www.ranker.com/list/best-gluten-free-alcohol/bottoms-up https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brookings-now/2016/04/11/map- medical-marijuana-laws-state-by-state/ http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/16/opinions/medical-marijuana- revolution-sanjay-gupta/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM5eX1qcPJ8 http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre20 15101600 http://vegascannabismag.com/education/safely-purchase-possess- transport-medical-marijuana-nevada/ http://www.sacurrent.com/the-daily/archives/2015/05/18/texas-just- approved-a-limited-medical-marijuana-bill